M59 Discussion Thread

[Charlesaf3]

OK. In the hopes that they would be helpful I did take some pictures of the seat mount mod. It's pretty simple. THe 2x2 wood sections will probably get replaced with something nicer when I see if the height is right. The project was a bit rushed because my wife was impatient quit toying with the tractor so we could go out and DO SOMETHING WITH IT. - And so we did.... Laid some fieldstone steps up to the front porch using the backhoe and thumb. Back to the seat picture, the bolts should be 8-1.25 x 70 mm from the hardware store....Lowe's I think. The 3/4" rubber donuts are found between the cab and frame on most US pickups built in the last 50 years. The thin rubber washers are cut from any 1/8" rubber sheet - although I did see that Lowe's had those too.

View attachment 109915 View attachment 109916

Some suppliers aren't familiar with the special nylock nuts. They are about twice the thickness of a normal nut and look like an acorn nut. Trapped in the additional space is a threaded piece of nylon that is slightly undersize for that thread and so locks it. It doesn't require a locking washer.
rScotty

Interesting, what difference have you found it to make?

I've never found nylock nuts difficult to get hold of - are they rare out there? Never had occasion to try to buy one in Colorado.

Actually, I did have to switch from 24 thread to 16 thread to get a nylock nut (we just call them lock nuts out here). Couldn't find a 24 thread lock nut.

I used a 3/8 x 2" bolt to replace the lynch pin, btw. Still on, despite some hard digging last night.

 

[Charlesaf3]

"Hooks on the bucket are key.......4 hooks on the 24, in a pattern rec'd on TBN. ... I've already found a great deal of use for the hooks."

Oh, I didn't think of putting hooks on the BH bucket. Where? I use them on the front bucket a lot. That's where the first one's are going.

By re-mounting the thumb control I mean that I will move it up on the control column and work it with a lever. Kubota's ideas on foot controls seem to be made for someone else's feet. Plus their foot pedal just doesn't work very well. Is there enough flow through that thumb circuit to run a hydraulic PHD?

enjoy! rScotty

Oh, front bucket definitely - messicks puts that on as part of the deal. I have 3 on each bucket. On the bh buckets I have 4 on the 24 and 1 on the 12. Very useful for adjusting stones and craning. There should be 2 on the 12 though. Learned about the bh hooks on TBN, of course, but can't remember who to give credit too.

Hooks on bh buckets are twinned, facing opposite, so a chain can grab either way, if that makes sense. I'll take a picture if you want one.

I haven't had a problem with the foot pedal, aside from the fact I find it reversed of where it should intuitively be. What issues are you having?

Yes, theoretically that circuit gets full flow, and my hydraulic PHD only needs a minimum of 5. We should be getting around 16 at full power. The mount doesn't look too hard to make, but I'm still waiting for mcmillen to come out with it, or kubota to come out with QC ear blanks.

Very informative on the hydraulics. At least the part I understood! I really have to pick up a copy of "hydraulics for dummies" if that exists.

 

[Charlesaf3]

Maybe Messick's would build a vertical stack for us? I'd bet you could sell one to almost every M59 owner out there. It is hard to figure out why Kubota made such a nice machine and then aimed the exhaust so that the operator has to perpetually be driving through a cloud of diesel fumes. This exhaust problem could benefit from some immediate factory attention. Most of the other things we discuss are really just matters of individual preference, but the exhaust pipe needs to be fixed.
rScotty

This is so true And I picked up asthma when I turned 35. The only thing I need an inhaler for is operating the tractor - the FOPS traps the diesel in there nicely.

I need to call Neil today in any case, I'll ask him. I'd gladly buy that, its the only thing that makes me want a cab.

 

[rScotty]

Hooks on bh buckets are twinned, facing opposite, so a chain can grab either way, if that makes sense. I'll take a picture if you want one.

I haven't had a problem with the foot pedal, aside from the fact I find it reversed of where it should intuitively be. What issues are you having?

Very informative on the hydraulics. At least the part I understood! I really have to pick up a copy of "hydraulics for dummies" if that exists.

I've never used a BH hook, where are they on the bucket?
The thumb pedal works, but is awkward. Not instinctive. Not only is it reversed, but I have to bend over and carefully eyeball things so my 4E shoe fits into that sort of skinny pedal space. With boots there would be no chance.

Loaded up the PU with big moss rocks today. Big enough that three to maybe four are a max load for a 1972 full size half ton 4x4 Chevy with overload springs. That thumb is a marvelous thing and will clamp and lift a huge rock. We did find it a lot easier to pick rock off the ground than to get it out of the flat back of the PU. Obviously some practice is needed there. Learned NOT to push the rocks up to the front of the PU bed. Easy to do ; hard to undo. Would sure be handy to have a sort of 45 degree angled glove to fit over the thumb for difficult grabs. Easy to visualize - one pin would hold it. Now I just need to draw it up and have it built.

Hey, I was ignorant on hydraulics until I read a great hydraulic article for us dummies. - actually it is an seven articles published as a series in "Implement and Tractor" magazine many years ago called "Let's get into Hydraulics". That article has become the standard and has been reprinted many times in many books. It's still coming around....most recently I saw it in reprinted by Clymer publications.

rScotty

BTW, no buldozer here - but my buddy and I DO have big old dump truck that lives with whoever borrowed it last. 1952 side dump GMC that hauls around 5 tons and cost $300. Runs like a watch; gets about 16 mpg.....unless the gas tank is leaking....again....

 

[Doug Sinjem]

How is the M59 for loading dirt? The bucket looks pretty large for the tractor. I would like to here any input on lift capacity and ease of filling the front bucket during loading operations.

Doug

 

[rScotty]

How is the M59 for loading dirt? The bucket looks pretty large for the tractor.
Doug

Doug, I thought the same thing. I was used to a certain proportion between loaders, tractors, and buckets and the 7 footer on the M59 just seemed too big. I still plan to order a 4n1 bucket but by tractor delivery time hadn't decided which brand to get and ended up including the stock bucket in the deal. It sure is a rugged built bucket and this one came with the reinforced bottom lip.

Well, I've got a lot of dirt to move and this tractor with the stock 84" bucket is amazing. I still haven't ordered the 4n1. Frankly the M59 doesn't have any problem filling the bucket. It fills with less effort than my smaller 33 hp compact tractor. With that one, 4wd was really helpful - sometimes necessary - to fill the bucket when scooping into a mound of dirt. With the M59 the 4wd is more optional than necessary. And when we are traveling down our long dirt drive with the bucket heaped full of wet dirt the tractor doesn't seem to notice the weight. Bottom line is much to my surprise it seems to handle it fine. It still doesn't look any smaller though.

Back dragging with the lip of the bucket is something I do a lot to smooth dirt while landscaping. With this big heavy bucket it's a whole new experience. Rocks tend to get smashed down instead of bouncing the tractor around. Nice.

Another nice thing about back dragging is that I finally get to move away from the exhaust fumes. The position of the exhaust - which blows onto the operator while driving forward is the only negative I've found with this excellent machine.
rScotty - M59 TLB

 

[Charlesaf3]

I've never used a BH hook, where are they on the bucket?
The thumb pedal works, but is awkward. Not instinctive. Not only is it reversed, but I have to bend over and carefully eyeball things so my 4E shoe fits into that sort of skinny pedal space. With boots there would be no chance.

Loaded up the PU with big moss rocks today. Big enough that three to maybe four are a max load for a 1972 full size half ton 4x4 Chevy with overload springs. That thumb is a marvelous thing and will clamp and lift a huge rock. We did find it a lot easier to pick rock off the ground than to get it out of the flat back of the PU. Obviously some practice is needed there. Learned NOT to push the rocks up to the front of the PU bed. Easy to do ; hard to undo. Would sure be handy to have a sort of 45 degree angled glove to fit over the thumb for difficult grabs. Easy to visualize - one pin would hold it. Now I just need to draw it up and have it built.

Hey, I was ignorant on hydraulics until I read a great hydraulic article for us dummies. - actually it is an seven articles published as a series in "Implement and Tractor" magazine many years ago called "Let's get into Hydraulics". That article has become the standard and has been reprinted many times in many books. It's still coming around....most recently I saw it in reprinted by Clymer publications.

rScotty

BTW, no buldozer here - but my buddy and I DO have big old dump truck that lives with whoever borrowed it last. 1952 side dump GMC that hauls around 5 tons and cost $300. Runs like a watch; gets about 16 mpg.....unless the gas tank is leaking....again....

I completely agree with the post above that the M59 has no problem with the size of the bucket - handles it effortlessly. Pretty impressive considering that it seems as big as a construction TLB.

I also agree the exhaust is a big flaw. Still love the machine though.

rscotty - I'll take some pics of the BH hooks, easier than explaining. They make dealing with things like your rocks in front much easier - put a chain around rock, attach to hooks, pull it towards you. I find rock adjustment with the chain very easy.

I reversed the pedal for the thumb - turned out to be a simple job, I'll take pics of how.. I've a similar size foot, so I understand the issue with the pedal - I'm planning on making a mahogany pedal that rides on top, probably friction fit onto the existing pedal base, to get my foot up over the rim.

 

[rScotty]

I'll be curious to see the variations that everyone comes up with for bucket hooks and modifying the controls. I'm guessing that there's as many variations as there are people doing them.

Has anyone experimented with the "backhoe crawl mode" on their M59"? If so, does yours crawl both fwd & back at about the same speed?
rScotty

 

[Charlesaf3]

I'll get the pics up as soon as I can take some.

I've been experimenting with backhoe crawl - inspired by your post. Seems to be same speed forward and back. I have found it useful for repositioning, and for moving rocks I've picked up with the thumb..

 

[rScotty]

I'll get the pics up as soon as I can take some.

I've been experimenting with backhoe crawl - inspired by your post. Seems to be same speed forward and back. I have found it useful for repositioning, and for moving rocks I've picked up with the thumb..

Mine probably could use a centering adjustment then.. I'm guessing the adjustment is in the control lever. Tractor moves forward at a speed which is faster than I would call a crawl...and backwards little at all. Hoping to get a shop manual soon.

I use mine the same way for moving rocks around. It's real handy when selecting landscaping rocks by moving them off to the side from a pile of potential candidates.
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Used the M59 to transport a few loads of dirt down a dirt road this weekend. Easy work with the giant bucket and medium speed....but I did find myself wishing that the seat had some damping as well as springing. Does anyone have any knowledge about seat damping? Where to get dampers and how to hook them up?
rScotty

 

[Charlesaf3]

I could see the dampening being useful, there can be a bit of a bounce that gets going

I don't really know the answer, but some sort of dampening piston adapted for it from a car door or toyota pickup gate?

I haven't had a chance to take pics yet, too busy working with it. Amazing how useful the thing is, really a huge jump from my b3030. I'm pushing over huge oak trees with it (after digging around them first). This rips the stump right out of the ground far quicker than digging it would be. And safer than cutting.

 

[rScotty]

Some thoughts after working the M59 a while now:

One, the BH with the thumb is simply incredible. Brute power and delicate control. I do need to reverse the foot pedal. Charles, I think that you did that. Any hints?

Found that the seat is more comfortable and doesn't pitch me around on bumps if the springs are set softer. Doing that plus spacing the seat box up a few inches makes it nicer.

Grrr....What was Kubota thinking when they aimed the exhaust as they did? The designer responsible should have been required to go drive one. I see that this mistake is not confined to the M59....being common not only to other model Kubotas but to most other compact tractors as well. Ah well, it is something they can all improve. Or a fertile opportunity for the after marketers. For starters I think it should go up and out on the offside. It'd be quieter there too. Any takers?

Been playing with the auto-throttle control and it is a real treat. What a great option! There are lots of times when I don't want or need for the engine to rev and muscle up with all the attendant noise and inefficiency when what really wanted was some more ground speed from the HST. Turning off the auto-throttle allows it to do light work economically without all the unnecessary sound and fury. Stealth mode.

Reinforced the chain hook yesterday. On this tractor I was smart enough to do that BEFORE bending the bucket. Then added some tie-off points at the corners of the bucket so as to use rope to stabilize bulky or fragile objects being carried. There's not much it won't lift and load now. Next project is to mount quick 'tach plates to some pallet forks and other specialized buckets that have been lanquishing behind the barn.

Thanks to my wife for insisting that I go ahead and pull the trigger on the M59 purchase. She's proud of it - and the hoe is delicate enough to set landscaping stones and even do some garden cultivating. Quietly too.
We're well pleased.
rScotty

 

[Charlesaf3]

Hey,

It is a great tractor no doubt. With the same exhaust caveat you have.

Funny about the cultivation, I regularly use the hoe to dig holes for flowers, and to "rototill". I do miss float on the hoe though, been meaning to complain about that.

Changing the direction of the thumb control is easy, and well worth doing. I still haven't gotten around to making a mahogany treadle to make it easier for my big feet.

Basically the thing to do is to switch the hoses on the boom - theres a point where its very easy to do with a wrench and 5 minutes. I'll have a look later today and try to be more descriptive.

 

[rScotty]

Just got a Bradco rock bucket for the M59. Haven't used it much yet, but will post some results after I do. Been using the quick attach on the loader arms to switch between the front 3 point adapter pushing a blade, the Kubota dirt bucket, and now the rock bucket. That quick attach system is very nice. With the 3 point adapter we can use regular 3 point attachments by driving in reverse and not have to dismount the backhoe.
rScotty

 

[Charlesaf3]

Hey, I haven't had time to post here lately, but I wanted to explain the easy way to reverse the thumb pedal. On the boom, where it says Kubota, above the K on the right side (or A on the left as its reversed) There is a union with all the thumb hoses going into it. By just unscrewing the tractor side ends of the hoses and switching them the pedal is reversed. Convenient, and no issues with slack in the hoses.

I still haven't taken my backhoe off - little scared of how much effort its going to be, but its going to happen in the next day or so.

 

[rScotty]

How did the great backhoe removal effort go? I haven't taken mine off and didn't really plan to....but just curious.

Report on the Bradco 75" rock bucket: If you have need to sort a lot of dirt and rocks this is your tool. Our soil runs about 60/40 rocks and dirt here. Rocks range in size from fist to suitcase. This bucket does everything a simple tool could do and it is built well besides....and I'm getting faster at swapping buckets using the Quick Attach.

Had to clear out a stand of small trees and brush the other day and at first did the old standby of chaining to a trunk and lifting each one up with the bucket....then got smart and reversed the tractor so I could use the hoe and thumb. What a treat! Just grab them, work 'em free, and up they come. As a bonus the hoe will stack them in a pile which can be wadded together with the help of the thumb and then transported in bulk.
rScotty

 

[rScotty]

Just an update to the other M59 owners. Not much snow in our part of the the Rocky Mountains this year....not so far anyway. New M59 parts include front chains and a tine bucket for sorting rocks from dirt. I still haven't reversed the BH thumb and still haven't adapted to it's unnatural motion. But I keep being impressed by the BH power.

The machine starts well at very low temperatures and that's a pleasant change from our other diesels. Only downside so far is minor and is that my dealer still hasn't been able to get in publications like the shop manuals or even parts like the warrenty replacement turbo hose. This is my first Kubota and while I am impressed with the machine, I'm surprised that JD and Yanmar and even Zetor are so much better with customer support. I'd thought that all tractor manufacturers were about the same in that regard. Comments?

And a happy new year to all of my tractor friends and hope your machines purr right along.
scotty

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

Only downside so far is minor and is that my dealer still hasn't been able to get in publications like the shop manuals or even parts like the warrenty replacement turbo hose

I'd shake the bushes some on that one. We've had shop manuals available for awhile. The turbo hose is used on tractors that have been in production for awhile, I'd be surprised if that was a real issue.

 

[Chato]

I had the turbo hose warranty switch done out at my place. Didn't take the tech very long and he was nice enough to change my UDT fluid at 46 hours.

I am trying to figure out how to rake rocks out a roping arena. Does anyone know of a front loader attachment to seperate them out from the dirt? Rocks are about 3" to 6" and rock dirt ratio 70/30.
How ell do they work?