How does the
M59 do at stump digging? How's the full size at loader work? The
M59 falls quite a bit short of the full size in bruit strength. How much does it make up for with added finesse?
Yes, the full size JD310SG is substantially stronger; it is a muscle powerhouse and has over twice the weight and 50% more HP than the
M59..
The JD310SG has a truly beautiful engine. It's quiet and nearly smokeless. By contrast, the
M59 has the nicer transmission with full 6 speed Fwd HST.
And although the 310 is stronger and can lift almost 8000 lbs in the FEL bucket, it isn't like the
M59 is a weakling. The
M59 can lift nearly 4000 lbs in it's own bucket and drives surprisingly well with a load. So far that is all the muscle that has been needed. There simply isn't much of anything I know of that weighs that much and will still fit in a bucket. Same for the backhoes. The 310 BH is lots stronger too. But then the
M59 is crazy strong as well. Both BHs could easily pick up their machines and wave then around like a banner at a ballpark.
Stumps.... Dang stumps ....Frankly I try to avoid digging stumps with either tractor -
. Stump digging is not my favorite activity, plus it is really hard on machinery.
But since we had about 50 fully mature trees drowned by the flood plus even more younger ones.... some stump digging has been unavoidable. Unless the tree is small, I try to use the 310 for stumps. That's because with a stump there's nothing that can be damaged, so I can just plant the 310 there next to a stump - turn up the AC, tune in some country music, and let that TLB's power and weight make the difference. Doing nasty tough BH work is where the 310 really shines. BTW, another place that the 310 is best is when using the loader like a bulldozer. Making roads through the woods or moving deep snow. Power and weight again. The 310 makes a way better bulldozer than the
M59. More comfortable seat, too.
By contrast, the
M59 is much more precise at doing fine work. Heavy duty landscaping is what it does best.....pushing, flattening, picking, and placing big loads. Making gardens, ponds, rock walls, spillways in the creek, things like that. Visibility is better, more gears, HST, and all the controls are much more sensitive - particularly the backhoe & loader controls. Suppose I want to use the backhoe to pick and place a series of 700 lb rocks for a pathway, driveway border, or building a rock wall. I can pick up the rock and move the bucket on the
M59 a fraction of an inch with the side swing to force a stone into position while keeping constant pressure on the ground and the surrounding stones. All without tearing things apart. The 310 just doesnt have that fine ability. The 310 will get the stone in there sure enough....., but not without tweaking everything around it. Likewise with the loader bucket.
BTW, both machines have 24" BH buckets, and have about the same width loader buckets so they are similar in cut width. The JD BH bucket is deeper and should then hold twice as much dirt, but they end up being similar because the
M59's thumb allows it to heap a bucket higher without spilling. Sort of like a grapple does for a FEL bucket.
hope this comparison helps you make a decision,
rScotty
