M59 Discussion Thread

[rScotty]

Hi rScotty

I'm glad to hear that Kubota has an approved bleeding system.

I can't wait to move snow next winter in a heated cab!

All the best guys with your M59's. I wished I could have joined that club but I am quite excited about the L45 purchase.
Regards, Lauren

I think I'd have gone the same way if I had to trailer the machine. The M59 is just heavy enough that it really needs one to make the jump to commercial trailering. That's a big jump.

I'll be envious when the snow flies. Every spring I forget how tough the cold weather was! Our Spring started about two months early this year. In the high Rockies we are looking at summer weather most days now.

As for the bleeding, I don't know what Kubota did right...but they sure got it right. Running out of fuel used to be about as much fun as dropping a toolbox on my toe. Now it's no biggie.
rScotty

 

[TBarD]

I think I'd have gone the same way if I had to trailer the machine. The M59 is just heavy enough that it really needs one to make the jump to commercial trailering. That's a big jump. rScotty

Well I sure hope you are wrong about this rScotty since I'll be hauling mine (for the first time) 700 miles straight North come late May. I have seen a number of comments one way or the other about trailering the M59. With a 14K trailer and a 26K limit for a non-commercial license that leaves 12K for the GVWR for the tow vehicle. I think my truck is rated about 9K GVWR (for the truck alone) and 12.5K for towing. The trailer is a bumper pull so I can keep the hitch weight within limits, with a load-leveling hitch. The M59 plus trailer will probably be very close to that, maybe a bit over. I think the Cummins with all the tow stuff I have on there will be able to haul it. Tell me if I am nuts to try this (then again maybe I don't want to know!).

This should only be necessary for 1-2 years after which I will be able to leave it up in Colorado (in my soon to be enclosed pole barn) over the winter. I agree, if one was doing this all the time e.g. for a small contracting business then something slightly smaller like the L45 would probably be preferable.

 

[TBarD]

I know you guys like pictures so here are a couple of nice Colorado pictures. The one on the left is my ranchland up in Colorado which is what the M59 is for. I think it will be just the right size for what I need to do to develop and work the place. The second is the headwaters of the Rio Grande which we go by on the way to and from New Mexico where we work, just to show how nice SW Colorado can be. I probably won't post any tractor pictures until the fun starts.

 

[Piston]

It sure is beautiful there!

I don't think the power will be the problem, I think it's stopping that you'd have to worry about. I'd certainly give a shot though, I think you'll be fine as long as your careful. :thumbsup:

 

[TBarD]

I don't think the power will be the problem, I think it's stopping that you'd have to worry about. I'd certainly give a shot though, I think you'll be fine as long as your careful. :thumbsup:

This is good to hear. I have brakes on both axles on the trailer and am adding an exhaust brake to the truck, so it should be ok if I keep the speed down. I'll certainly have to watch it on some of the downgrades in the mountains. But I know all those roads real well.

 

[lhansman]

Thanks for the photos TbarD. I live at the top of the Niagara escarpment north of Toronto in rolling hill country but we don't have anything to compare with those beautiful vistas in your photos.

You won't have any problems towing your M59. The issue for me is that my dumping trailer is rated at 14,000 pounds but it weighed 3,800 pounds from the manufacturer and then I lined the floor and sides with pressure treated 2x8, added a tongue toolbox with all my chains and tie downs and now it scales at about 4,500 pounds leaving me with a payload of 9,500 pounds.

According to the spec sheet, the M59 weighs around 8,350 pounds. The one I was looking at had the Laurin cab on it which I figure added 500 pounds, I wanted to foam all four tires which would probably add another 1,000 pounds plus I always travel with my forks (500 pounds) and one or two additional backhoe buckets. It became clear to me that I would be over the limit for the dumping trailer but you shouldn't have any problem with a 14,000 pound rated float trailer as it will be at least 1,500 - 2000 pounds lighter than my dump trailer I would think.

The L45 only weighs 7,200 pounds so I think I will be OK weight wise once I add the Laurin cab, foam its tires and carry my forks and a backhoe bucket or two but I will lbe very close to the 14,000 pound rating of the trailer. There is a scale house about 20 miles from my home which I expect will be closed on Sunday so I plan on towing the L45 down there in the morning and spending an hour or so confirming total and tongue weights before the cab gets installed and the tires get foamed.

If there is a scale near you, before the long trip to Colorado I would recommend you scale your load not just for total weight but since you have a bumper pull trailer check your tongue weight too. The rule of thumb is you want to have 10-15 percent of your total trailer weight on the tongue to ensure you don't develop trailer sway. You can adjust your tongue weight by moving the M59 forward of backward on the float and then mark of make note of the optimum position. I have only experienced trailer sway once after getting some bad advice on machine weight and how to load it many years ago and I can tell you it is not something I want to experience again. Fortunately I was able to grab the trailer brake controller and get stopped but I then had to spend a couple of hours on the side of the road to clean out my pants and then unload and reload the equipment with more weight on the tongue.

I have a buddy who has a full size Cat 420 TLB which weighs around 16,000 pounds and he tows it regularly and legally with his F350 dually so you shouldn't have any problems with your Dodge Cummins. The exhaust brake is an excellent upgrade if you are going to be towing heavy - especially in your part of the world. Getting going I never found to be a problem but you can never have too much stopping power. Exhaust brakes are now standard on 2012 Chevy and Dodge I think but Ford still only has the variable vane turbo and as an F350 driver I can tell you it definitely is not as effective as an exhaust brake.

I look forward to seeing more pictures from your scenic ranchland.

Regards,

Lauren

 

[TBarD]

Thanks much for the detailed comments Lauren. Regarding weights I think things are fine; I rechecked and my truck is actually rated to tow 13100. The tractor is probably 9000 with thumb and fuel so we have 12000 - 12500 overall including trailer. I will unfortunately probably have to make two trips to start, one for attachments, building materials, and other equipment, and one for the tractor.

There is a truck stop not far up I-25 which probably has a truck scale. Once I finish instrumenting the truck and installing an exhaust brake and load leveling air springs (both from PacBrake) I plan to do a short dry run loading and hauling the tractor and will check the weights, tire and axle temps etc. at the time. I doubt if I could monopolize the truck scale for an hour, however I have found an economical tongue weight scale which will do the job even better ([ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sherline-LM-2000-Trailer-Tongue/dp/B007REK28M"]Sherline Scale[/ame]).

Another useful improvement I made to my truck was adding heavy duty aftermarket bumpers; in particular the rear bumper is 3/16 steel and bolts to both the frame and the receiver hitch hence probably increases the hitch strength by at least 50% (at some cost in increased weight).

Another issue is insurance - for those of us with a Kubota, KTAC insurance looks to be a winner, as it will cover the tractor (and trailer and attachments if you wish) both at home and at a remote location, as well as during transport. It also covers accidental damage to the tractor itself during use, such as a rollover or sticking a limb through the radiator.

Regarding a trailer for the M59, I wouldn't go any less than 14K and 20 feet long; 22-24 is optimal.

I spent quite a bit of time reading postings and doing other research to figure out how to safely trailer the M59, so hopefully summarizing all this here will help others.

 

[natem]

Does Laurin cabs have a web site? I tried to find them one time and could not. How much is the cab for the L-45 going for?

 

[doelake]

The website is Laurin inc | Cabines, canopes et compacteurs pour tracteur et camion and it is a manufacturer in Quebec, Canada. Check it out:thumbsup:
Good luck,
Anthony

 

[doelake]

Hi rScotty

I'm glad to hear that Kubota has an approved bleeding system. My original B21 had a fuel tank that was just slightly over 5 gallons capacity and being lazy I used to try and get it into the red portion of the fuel gauge so that I could lift and dump the entire can of fuel without any spilling on the hood. The B26 tank is a little over 6 gallons which is nice in that I have a larger margin of safety using the same filling technique.

I think the L45 has an 11 gallon tank and I now have my own 100 gallon diesel tank at home with a pump so hopefully I won't get caught short like Anthony did.

Hi Anthony

Having finally put the thumb on my B26 last year there was no way that I was going to purchase another machine without one so the L45 will be delivered this weekend with a thumb and I also ordered it with the 4 in 1 bucket for the front to help pick things up.

I had at one point decided to keep the B26 (which was why I put the thumb on last year) but in the end decided that I really wanted a cab and I was concerned that I would find it very cramped in a B26 with the cab - especially in the back hoe area which is where I spend most of my seat time.

There is a used M59 south of Saint Catherines with the Laurin cab on it that I went down and looked at last November. It was a grey and windy November day and it felt real nice to be in out of the wind. Unfortunately the dealer wanted a ridiculous amount of money for the machine AND offered me an insulting trade-in value for the B26 so I walked away. In the end it was the right decision because the L45 fits nicely in my 14,000 pound dumping trailer both physically and from a weight perspective. I think I would have had to purchase a float trailer too if I had purchased the M59.

I will pick the L45 up this weekend and the Laurin cab has been ordered but it will be 6 - 8 weeks for delivery. We are currently in the middle of the worst snow storm for this winter I believe and I can't wait to move snow next winter in a heated cab!

All the best guys with your M59's. I wished I could have joined that club but I am quite excited about the L45 purchase.

Regards,

Lauren

Hi Lauren, I'm interested in a Laurin cab as well...let us know how everything works out....take and post pictures...we'll be waiting:thumbsup:
Best Regards,
Anthony
P.S. would it be inappropriate to say I'm a little jealous:laughing:

 

[lhansman]

Hi TbarD

The air springs are a good idea to keep your truck level. Unfortunately they use a lot of salt on the roads in my part of the world so I have resisted the urge to install them on my trucks. I have had good luck with a product called Timbren. They are essentially a rubber spring that replaces your current bump stops. Once your factory springs deflect to a certain point, the Timbrens make contact and provide cushioning while keeping your rear end from sagging. I have used them on my last three trucks and they are simple, inexpensive, trouble free and do the job for me. They might be a good backup for you if you ever have a problem with the air suspension.

Hi Natem

The Laurin cab is very expensive - $11,500 for the L45 in my case including the optional backhoe control enclosure ($1,500) and heat only. The only reason I purchased it now is because I was able to roll it into the 2% financing Kubota has at this time in Canada so I went ahead rather than wait until fall.

I plan to add A/C later but rather then get it from Laurin who are a considerable distance from me and speak a different language, I am going to have Hammond who are only about 80 miles from me do the installtion. They specialize in A/C for constuction equipment and were recommended by a Laurin cab owner who purchased his cab before Laurin offered A/C. He is much further south then me and is very pleased with the Hammond system and I like having the supplier just an hour and a half away.

There is a 6 - 8 week delivery time for the cab so depending on how the work for the L45 comes in, I will either spend the ~$4,000 for the A/C this summer or wait until next spring and let my bank account recover. I really don't like the heat though being a Northern Ontario boy so I will probably get the A/C installed so I can enjoy July and August in air conditioned comfort. Most of the work I do is at least 50% on the hoe and after a couple of hours sitting there on a warm day with all that hot oil flowing under you and through the manifold at your knees, it can get quite warm.

Hi Anthony

If you are going to be travelling down to the Niagara area in the near future, the used M59 with the cab on it is at a Kubota dealer called Ben Berg. I forget the name of the town, but they are about 45 minutes south of the QEW between Hamilton and Saint Catherines.

Alternatively I usually wind up towing my machine up to the inlaws in North Bay to do work for them a couple of times a year so I could drag the L45 in to Doe Lake to let you drool for awhile if your are interested. Maybe I could sepnd the night at scenic Doe Lake - do you have cabins or do we need to bring our own accomodations?

The Laurin cab is too expensive in my opinion but I simply can't take the cold like I used to. I had a bunch of work to do around the house this past weekend and the temperature dropped dramatically Friday night and then the wind picked up. By 10:00am Saturday I called my dealer and told him to add the Laurin cab to the deal as I was not going through another winter of snow clearing in the cold. After a few hours of seat time on Saturday and Sunday I was chilled to the bone and had to take long, hot showers to recover. Maybe I can offset part of the cab purchase cost with reduced water and gas to heat it costs - what do you think?

You must get a lot more snow than me Anthony and with your property I would imagine you must have to clear quite a bit of it. Hopefully over time you can convince your wife that you need to get out of the cold too!

Regards,

Lauren

 

[TBarD]

The Laurin cab is too expensive in my opinion but I simply can't take the cold like I used to.

Another possibility is Sim's Cab

 

[doelake]

Hi Laurin,

It would be great to meet you and swap landscaping stories. Anytime you are by this area, drop in for a beer or coffee and I'll show you around. Our address, map, and accommodations are on our website @ RV Campground and Housekeeping Cottages at Doe Lake Ontario and we are about 1 hour south of North Bay off Hwy 11.

As far as convincing my wife about the cab...she was the one who insisted I get my L39 to replace the very aged 1961 Massey Ferguson ID35 and the Ferguson 2085 tractors that came with the resort when I purchased the business...but creature comforts might take a little more convincing:laughing:

However, should you be "passing through" and "just happen to have your tractor with cab", there may be an opportunity to identify the necessary attributes that would help keep her husband comfortable and healthy while working

It's worth a shot:thumbsup:

Time to go to work,seasons about to start

Best Regards,

Anthony

 

[doelake]

BTW Laurin,

The price you quoted...was that installed by the dealer ready to go, or do you have to assemble the cab yourself?

Anthony

 

[lhansman]

Hi TbarD

I have looked at Sims in the past but thanks for the link. I have heard some good but also some bad things about Sims cabs and frankly they just don't look as nice as the Laurin. The only bad thing I have heard about the Laurin cabs is the price! I am purchasing the L45 for the long haul and so to me with the low financing rate and a long term outlook I decided to make the investment.

Using the link you sent me when I priced out the Sims cab for the L45 with comparable accessories to what I am getting plus heat, the total is around $8,000. I could probably assemble it myself but that would take some time so allowing $1,000 for assembly I'm at $9,000 for something that doesn't look as nice and has considerably reduced glass area compared to the Laurin. For another $2,500 I have the Laurin installed and it doesn't look like I am in an armoured L45!

Hi Anthony

The $11,500 price includes installation of the cab, the backhoe enclosure and the high capacity heater. Some have said that the Laurin cab is assembled around the factory ROPS but I have been told by others and my dealer to that the cab comes fully assembled and gets lowered onto the L45. To me that would seem to imply that the factory ROPS would be replaced. When it arrives, I'll definitely get some photos and let you know how the install proceeds.

Thanks very much for the link to your rizzort. I'll definitely let you know if I am going through the area and take you up on that cold one.

All the best with your seasonal prepartions - May 24 is not that far away!

Regards,

Lauren

 

[rScotty]

Hi Lauren, I'm interested in a Laurin cab as well...

I'll admit that there are winter days when a cab would be nice, but they are more than offset by the enjoyment of the open station during warmer months. The big advantage to the cab for me would be to get away from the exhaust and the noise. The weather is fine... I wonder if anyone makes a sort of half windshield...

 

[lhansman]

Hi rScotty

I too hate the low positioned exhaust that Kubota seems to have standardized on for all of their smaller tractors and the TLB line. All of the large Kubota farm tractors that I have seen have a stack to get the fumes up and away from the operator.

You may want to look as some posts done by "4shorts" on TBN. He has a Kubota 5740 I believe and he is a very ingenious and talented man with steel. He rerouted the low exhaust on his tractor through a support box he made and attached to the tractor frame and up a stack exiting at cab roof height. I had done something similar to this on my B21 to get the fumes away from me and it was quite effective. I never got around to doing anything on the B26 but I certainly intend to use "4shorts" approach to address the issue on the L45. I'm going to hold off until the Laurin cab is installed because I do not want to make any mods to the tractor until the cab is in place.

With respect to noise, I have been told that sometimes a cab can actually amplify tractor noises as they get "trappped" in the enclosed cab. This is apparently expecially true with aftermarket cabs but I will see. I am not concerned about this because I always wear ear protection when on the tractor and probably still will inside the cab as my current ones have the radio and iPod jack in them.

Regards,

Lauren

 

[TBarD]

I'll admit that there are winter days when a cab would be nice, but they are more than offset by the enjoyment of the open station during warmer months. The big advantage to the cab for me would be to get away from the exhaust and the noise. The weather is fine... I wonder if anyone makes a sort of half windshield...

I feel the same way (of course neither of us winters in Ontario!). I wouldn't want a cab in the warmer months, and even in the winter, a cold clear day after a storm is so beautiful in Colorado that I wouldn't want to compromise the view if I could help it. Some plexiglas on the front of the ROPS might be enough to keep snow from blowing back when snow blowing. One can get electrically heated vests and gloves made for motorcycle use which could help a lot in colder weather.

 

[TBarD]

This is to followup on our earlier discussion of towing the M59. We completed our first trip with the M59 several days ago, towing it from southern NM up to SW Colorado, about 700 miles over a number of passes (the smallest ones we could find!).

It went fine and the truck performed superbly. On the steepest grades (e.g. Cochetopa pass, 10149 ft) on the main roads we were pulling at about 40mph, 2K rpm, in 2nd gear on the automatic transmission on the truck. On lesser grades (Raton pass), it was 50 mph in 3rd gear. The steepest grades were closer to our property on smaller roads, where we got down to 30mph or so. I did not find a scale to weigh the trailer, but with the M59, an 84" grading scraper and forks the loaded trailer was probably about 13.8K. The picture below shows the rig upon arrival at our place in Colorado (where it is currently exceptionally dry by the way). The tractor looks enormous loaded on a trailer behind the truck! The truck roof is 7' high for scale.

Some lessons learned:

o At 22' the trailer was barely long enough for the M59 with a couple of attachments. Balancing the load was not a problem, but the backhoe barely fit on the trailer as you can see in the picture.
o Check the trailer brakes! This was a new trailer. In my first test, unloaded, I found that it had almost no brakes. It was necessary to jack the trailer up and adjust each brake. One of the wheels had a nonfunctioning brake due to a wiring problem. After the adjustments it was fine.
o An exhaust brake on the truck is essential, for ordinary driving but especially when descending steep grades.
o Gauges on the truck are essential. EGT is the main one. As soon as it climbs above 12.5K or so I shift to a lower gear and up the RPMs. I also monitored the AT temperature and rear differential temperature, and turbo boost. I installed an aftermarket deep cover on the AT and the temp never got above 190 and was usually much cooler. The rear diff (also with an aftermarket deep cover) did get up to 225 on the steepest pulls, which is a bit high but not bad, considering.
o I used a Sherline scale to adjust the hitch weight to 1400 or so; would have been difficult to get this right otherwise. A weight distributing hitch is obviously essential for a bumper hitch towing this weight.​

I also had one of my tractor cameras mounted on the ROPS at the rear, which made it easy to monitor the back of the trailer and the hoe, and check for clearance when passing. [edit: also reprogrammed the truck ECM with a Smarty Jr., which was essential to keep the EGTs down.]

My feeling having completed this tow is that towing the M59, even in the mountains is no problem so long as one can monitor the truck and adjust speed and gearing where necessary. Avoid sharp turns - it will practically scrape the tires off a dual axle trailer. The biggest risk is probably braking, one has to keep an eagle eye ahead.

 

[indianaEPH]

good to hear of your sucesful haul up to Colorado. i almost wish i had more terrain to give me a callenge.