Backhoe M59 Backhoe buckets - What are compatible pin on or QA buckets

[TBarD]

Thanks for the very complete write up Lauren. After your story, I'm glad for the pin&clip QA system that came with mine back in 2008. But do see that the wedge would have advantages when it begins to age. The JD at 5500 hrs could certainly use some way to tighten its QA, but the Kubota at 700 hrs is still tight.

You're right about that silly clip and ring that they use to retain the pin on the US style QA. One day when backhoeing I noticed that the clip was gone and the pin had already slid about half way out. If it had gone any farther something would have bent the next time I curled hard against a load. As it was I pushed the in pack in and preplaced the missing clip with a double-nutted bolt, figuring that anything on the BH bucket made to be removed by hand could not fail to be removed in operation. The bolt makes it much more secure, but does require tools - and the Kubota doesn't have a tool box. Wish it did. The whole right side of the machine just east of the throttle is available for mounting a nice big steel tool box with an opening lid...The JD has one like that - but on the other side. Easy to design it big enough for tools, a selection of chains, and still have space for whatever.
Maybe someone will market one.
rScotty

The tool box is an option, you can order one, I did.

 

[KAMyers1]

Thanks to all who added their info. It certainly helped me sort out whether to look for another pin on or move to QA buckets

I wanted to summarize what I learned to date since no forum has clear information about BH buckets for M59
Neil Messick of Messicks.com was very helpful. Another person, a mechanic with 25 years working on Kubotas, was also very helpful.
In summary the BH Quick Attach ( QA ) is the preferred bucket attach method because any used bucket can be modified by applying weld on ears. Pin ons, not directly useable, are very hard to modify. The used pin on pool fitting M59 is very small so new from Kubota is pretty much the only way to get buckets.
The M59 QC/ Quick Coupler is part number BT4580 but the preferred QC, from Kubota mid size/ compact excavators, is the K7870 since there is much larger supply of used excavator buckets than there are used M59 QA buckets. The K7870 is used on the KX121 compact excavator.

Not until about 2010 did the different equipment manufacturers begin move to standardized QA buckets so the pool of used buckets fitting the M59 QC is pretty small.

Hope this helps others interested in M59

The above quoted post and others in this thread are quite helpful. Unfortunately, without photos, it is difficult to determine whether my 2014 M59 has a quick attach (I think it does), and if so, what type it is so that I can figure out what buckets would be compatible. I am posting a few photos of the current backhoe bucket setup on my M59. Can anyone confirm what type of bucket attachment setup I have and what buckets would be compatible based on these photos?

 

[Smokeydog]

May want look at similar post under, Kubota buying/pricing.

You do have BT4580 Kubota quick attach. Buckets may still be available from Kubota. Used ones are rare.

My 2014 M59 had pin on bucket with thumb. Could not find used buckets. Wanted to convert miniX but way too expensive from Kubota.

Mr. M59 shared with me his conversation to miniX quick attach using USA Attachments PGC-100, M59-KX040 quick coupler. Bought coupler, 12” , 24” and later ripper miniX attachments. Did require some modifications and welding. Much easier than changing ears.

Have really enjoyed the modification. Buckets, ears and more attachments are cheaper, heavier duty and readily available that fit several models of Kubota minix and M62.

Made a adapter to even share minix attachments on the B26.

 

[KAMyers1]

Smokeydog, thanks for your reply. Very helpful!

 

[KAMyers1]

May want look at similar post under, Kubota buying/pricing.

You do have BT4580 Kubota quick attach. Buckets may still be available from Kubota. Used ones are rare.

My 2014 M59 had pin on bucket with thumb. Could not find used buckets. Wanted to convert miniX but way too expensive from Kubota.

Mr. M59 shared with me his conversation to miniX quick attach using USA Attachments PGC-100, M59-KX040 quick coupler. Bought coupler, 12” , 24” and later ripper miniX attachments. Did require some modifications and welding. Much easier than changing ears.

Have really enjoyed the modification. Buckets, ears and more attachments are cheaper, heavier duty and readily available that fit several models of Kubota minix and M62.
View attachment 816079

Made a adapter to even share minix attachments on the B26.
View attachment 816080

Can you offer any comments/suggestions/comparisons between switching to a K7870 quick attach coupler vs a K7543 coupler regarding ease of installation/conversion and availability of attachments?

 

[Smokeydog]

Bought my M59 used as a landscape model without a backhoe. Took a couple years to find a backhoe. The 2’ bucket bottom had broken like yours but had been professionally repaired. Mr. M59 commented that was a common problem. Sold that Kubota bucket for nearly what a excavator bucket cost new.

I don’t know enough to comment about different couplers. My thumb was not compatible with the Kubota KX conversion and replacement was costly. Mr. M59 showed how he modified his thumb to work. Mine had slightly more interference to adjust to. Mr. M59 did his conversion with only a grinder. Thumbs are addictive.

Jim at USA Attachments made a great package deal with their M59 adapter. Free upgrade to ESCO teeth at the time. Smaller, sharper and maybe longer lasting. Good for the M59. The Kubota excavator quick attach couldn’t be easier to use. Increases the value and usefulness of the M59.