M59 vs L5740 w/CAB & Bradco 511

[AZTimT]

Ok, I am new to the site and looking at purchasing my first tractor like so many others on here. I searched for a comparison of these two machines without success.

I am experienced as a heavy equipment operator as well as a field lube/greaser/oiler/serviceman (whichever one sounds familiar to you that matches the guy getting really oily & greasy after the operators go home in an attempt to prevent failure) & mechanic when necessary with cdl & hazmat. So I suspect I would be disappointed with anything smaller than these two machines considering my needs. Aside from the obvious such as convenience of cab vs convenience of staying in one seat with a more powerful BH I need some better perspectives from those with far more experience in this size machine than I have.

I can only afford one very flexible machine and want to get the one I will still be happy with 20 years from now as that is how I can justify that much cash going byebye in my mind. I know it is not cheap either way, but after observing so many other brands in the field where they are all abused by rough operators, only kubota stayed in a class of it's own. Case was alright, CAT and JD scared me away for good. The rest (terex, hitachi, komatsu, jcb, and countless others) were all ok, but Kubota always impressed me as well designed, well built, tougher than nails AND the competition lb for lb. I wish they were all american, but this time my money goes where the quality is. I figure if I spend the right money getting the right machine, I will only have maintenance, operating and attachment costs down the road vs constantly dumping money in the tractor itself. Oh, but for an M59 with that grand cab.

Things I KNOW I will use on this machine:
11' BH with hyd thumb (no question)
FEL able to lift a 2k minimum, but preferably 3k (no question)
forks to match (no question)
bush hog (no question)
gannon (no question)
snow removal via rear blade or front blower (not sure which yet)
front grapple (would be nice now, but probably not yet)
front auger (down the road, but not this year)
mower (if I can't get by with just a bush hog)

I understand the frames are totally different L vs M but I am of the impression the engines are the same. I believe both can be had with the same hydraulics front and rear so this is kind of hard for me to decide. I have priced out new m59's with the options (pretty much fully loaded) I like down to around $48-50k vs a 70 hr used L5740 from the original owner (used only as a grade tractor) with a just a gannon and all auxiliary hydraulics for around $34k (possibly less will know more tomorrow) and I figure roughly $10k or less for the Bradco 511 w/ hyd thumb. I am not opposed to good working used equipment or implements if I have a decent idea how it was used. I hate fixing pins that are really loose or stopped taking grease due to neglect. That and I am not the greatest welder.

I am moving from central AZ (hot with way too many people) to western MT (much cooler and much friendlier) and have a 10 acre place that is 1/3 flat on top with plenty of space between the pines leading into 1/3 steep slope with lots of brush down to the bottom 1/3 with varied terrain, but mostly what was intended to be a pasture. Great for views and wildlife, not so great currently for everything I would like it to be.

I have to widen a 400' long driveway, move about 50 yards of dirt/clay that is currently a hill behind the garage, bury a propane tank, remove stumps/brush/fire hazards, turn a swamp into a recovered pasture w/pond, bury a 2-3k gallon water tank and trench the plumbing 500' from the well, pick up (or at least not drop) a 2,400lb safe, pickup pallets of wood pellets & retaining wall blocks, blaze a trail from top to bottom VERY CAREFULLY (15-20* slope), put in new fencing after driveway is widened and a whole lot more. This machine may also be a part time source of income after several hundred hours of learning on my stuff.

Any and all advice is appreciated as the world of one nice sized machine does it all (within reason) is fascinating to me.

Tim in MT

 

[art]

The M-59's loader does not come off while the 5740's does so you will have some reduction in flexibility with the 59.

The M-59 has twice the hydraulic flow that any standard compact tractor does so it will outdig the rest bar none front or rear.

No front or mid mount attachments from Kubota for the M-59 but they are avilable for the 5740 like a mower or front snow blower.

 

[LD1]

For what you want to do, I don't think the l5740 is a good choice.

The L5740 will not lift a 2400lb pallet unless you get a skid steer QA forks, and then maybe. The loader lift of the 5740 is onlt 1878 lbs @ the bucket center. and the loader will only lift to 112" which may not be high enough to load a dump truck if you do plan on using it commercially.

If you still want the versitility of a tractor, and not a dedicated tlb, maybe take a look at the M5040/6040. Much better loader, larger frame, heavier, bigger tires. But I'm not sure if you can get a backhoe with it.

The M59 will definatally do all the tasks that you want, but as mentioned, you cannot take the loader off, which is a PITA when bushhogging, unless you are in a wide open field.

 

[powerstroke444e]

If your use to using construction grade equipment I would go with the M59 as it should be built a little heavier and will hold up better 20yrs from now. I also think you would be disappointed with an aftermarket backhoe on your 30K machine and a loader that will barely lift everything you want it to. Not being able to take the loader off is not a big issue unless you are using it to finish mow.

Best of luck shopping. Buy what you need/want a

 

[DraftHorse]

Tim, sent you a PM

 

[dodge man]

The M is basically a piece of construction equipment, while the L is more of a tractor. I'm just thinking out loud, but will the M59 seem to big after you make all your major imporvements? If you are looking at a long term use, the L might be a little more usefull over the long run for your property. If you are thinking commericial use in the future, its a no brainer, go with the M59.

 

[AZTimT]

Thank you all for your input, it has helped me confirm my original suspicions. Looks like I am still leaning toward the M59 if I can find a decent cab setup for it.

I can see the value of front loader removal and mid mount attachments, but having never used them before, I wonder if I would miss never having them. Somewhere I have seen a hoe mounted brush hog which may have more practical use on the areas of my land that would need cleaning up. A rear rough cut mower will take care of all my mowing needs except for the back yard of the house.

I REALLY like the cab of the Grand L, but I fear that I may wind up disappointed with the L series coming from mainly using case 580's and cat 416/420's and skidsteers with multiple attachments. The big thing is I like knowing I can unload a full pallet of anything I bring home (or deliver). I started out originally looking for a decent used L48 or a JCB Midi(was a serious candidate for a while) or possibly a Kioti 55-60hp. I have been staying away from the JD 110TLB after spending 5 months helping build the fence on the border of AZ/Mex and seeing more JD's of all different types down than running a majority of each week. After determining that there is a good Kubota dealer 15 miles from my new home and not much else it I would buy, it really helped narrow it down. They had an L39, L45 and M59 on the lot and after seeing them in person the M59 just seemed the perfect fit (I'm a large framed 6'2 with big feet). The M59 seems small enough to safely trailer with a 1995 cummins repowered GM 3500HD (15,000 GVW F450 equivalent) and a 32' Brute hyd dovetail (25,000 GVW) but still big and powerful enough to do anything I might ever ask of it.

Not 100% decided yet, as I have some hands on comparisons to try before I buy, so we will see where that takes me. If I did go with the L are there any other 11' backhoes besides the Bradco that would be a good investment?

Thanks again everyone, it helps to hear others thoughts on such a big purchase.

Tim

 

[LarryRB]

I had an L 48 TLB and had a thrid valve put on front for a 7 1/2 ft power angle snow plow. Our driveway is 1600 ft long and the plow did and awesome job. Only one year did I have to remount the bucket and pile snow out of the way for the next storm..

 

[medicshawn]

Laurin does make a cab for the M59but I hear it's pretty expensive.
Laurin inc.

 

[Chuck K.]

Appears you have received a lot of very good input. Having owned both machines let me share my observations. I started off with a L3400 /LA463 FEL, solid machine but was disappointed with the FEL.

I found a great deal on L5240 (Same FEL as L5740) combined with a Woods BH90x w/thumb and really liked the machine. The HSTplus, power and size was excellent combination. I did how ever find several circumstances where I still did not have enough FEL power. For example, while using my pallet forks to unload my metal shop, unloading trailer full of sheet rock, lifting out 500 gallon septic tank, removing large stumps out of the hole it just barely lacked being able to complete the task. I needed more FEL but still needed the flexability of being able to mow, box blade etc, this ruled out a full size B/H like the 580.

The inability to remove the FEL I thought might be an issue but the few times I mowed without the FEL I wished I had kep it on because of junk in the field that I had to move by hand. I sold the L5240 for a very good price and went with the M59.

Other then a few hydraulic problems I cannot say enough good things about the machine. The FEL has exceeded my expectations, it has lifted everything I have needed it to. The 12' b/h w/thumb is impressive as well. The b/h can easily lift you up and over trenched lines, something the add on b/h struggled with. I hope to have a smaller trenching bucket and root hook soon, look foreward to trying the QA bucket feature.

The only thing I miss is the cruise control the L5240 had it was really convenient when mowing or driving from one location to the next.