Grading New to me Kubota M59

Rustyiron · Jan 5, 2019

mikester said:
They look good! I've been eyeing them for the rears. Please report back and let us know how they did at the end of this season.

I'm on my 3rd year with screw in studs. Each year I am amazed (forgot how well they work) We just had conditions that created ice rink quality skating conditions that actually made walking on it without shoe cleats impossible but the tractor moved around almost normally on it. Initially I used 2 studs in each individual "bar" or lug thinking I could add more, that was not necessary.
They are not equal to my European studded ice chains in the woods in deep snow but I'd say they are very close to them on ice.
Leave them in year round, removal leaves a small hole making that spot unavailable to re install next season.
View attachment 585961

mike69440 · Jan 5, 2019

Your studs are long. Carbide? What brand, where did you get them, and are they expensive?
https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...erating/585961-new-me-kubota-m59-dscn8456-jpg

Rustyiron · Jan 8, 2019

I got them over in NH (Tamworth) and they were about a buck each. I used 2 sizes, longer one's in the rear tires. Iirc I bought about 400 of them. Windy Ridge Corporation Since 1985
I was just there last week buying new cross links for some conventional chains for the SS. I believe most everyone here would enjoy a walk around that place, Husky dealer along with logging stuff, tractor winches, chains & rope, etc.

mike69440 · Jan 8, 2019

Small world, No Kidding. I've driven by Windy Ridge Corporation over 1,000 times on my way to work. That Club Motorsport Club Motorsports sure looks fun if you have $100K to join plus a GT(#)Porsche.

Maybe I can retire and get a job there as a groundskeeper? Only as long as I plow snow with someone else's Cabbed machine.

Gasifier · Apr 21, 2019

Can anyone tell me how much a hydraulic thumb cost for an M59?

Hydraulics lines are already on the hoe.

Toggle foot pedal is already on the backhoe platform.

I'm hoping my local Kubota dealer can install it for me without it taking too much time. I'm not sure if they had one on it already, and if the hydraulics are meant for a thumb, or a hammer, or would run both.

Any idea on cost of thumb with hydraulic cylinder/parts needed?

Tags · Apr 21, 2019

I just bought a thumb from these guys for a Kubota KX71-3, very good quality, reasonably priced, and came with everything needed to install to the factory bracket on the stick,and it showed up when he said it would. I originally called my Kubota dealer for one but they wanted $3100, I got this one delivered to me for $1750, just put it on this weekend and it works and looks great!

Home Northsaw.com

Rustyiron · Apr 22, 2019

Look at aftermarket. Some have a design that swings the thumb off the bucket pin (at least on excavators) allowing your thumb to follow your bucket through it's whole arc. Great for "picking" close in to the tractor or anywhere in between. A thumb is something you'd be surprised how you ever got anything done with out it before and you will never question your decision to depart with that purchase money.

rScotty · Apr 22, 2019

Rustyiron said:
Look at aftermarket. Some have a design that swings the thumb off the bucket pin (at least on excavators) allowing your thumb to follow your bucket through it's whole arc. Great for "picking" close in to the tractor or anywhere in between. A thumb is something you'd be surprised how you ever got anything done with out it before and you will never question your decision to depart with that purchase money.

Ain't that the truth! Especially true if you do anything with logs or rocks and landscaping . We do, and probably use the thumb more than any other tractor implement we own.

It's hard to make the initial decision to add a thumb - especially the hydraulic verson which is so expensive. The $$ explains the various manual and even the clever lever swinging thumbs you mention. All for less $$ than a hydraulic thumb.

But a hydraulic thumb is by far the best because of two reasons: it will grab through most of the bucket's angle of motion, and the gripping force is controllable. Money well spent.
rScotty