purchase decision

[Bill in VA]

I'm struggling with justifying the purchase of a TLB and wanted to put this question in front of those who already own such a machine. My struggles are simply based on the $ I'm spending (M59 preferred) versus what I can do with it.

So the question is; Did any of you owners go through some semiformal process of writing everything down you thought you could do with it or answering a series of questions that gave you useful feedback or something else that helped you decide.

If this sounds stupid, understand that this will be the single most expensive equipment purchase I have ever made or will make in the future. I realize nobody can know my situation exactly but I'm intent on considering every approach to deciding yea or nay on the purchase.

By the way, my wife supports the purchase. I'm only debating myself at this point.

 

[magicheater]

First big purchase is always tough, mine was anyway. I've done the list, both pros-cons and need-want type. Will you be using the 3PT at all? Do you have lots of work for the back hoe? An advantage to the TLB combo is the swivel seat, lots of work it saves off-on. With the wife behind you what is stopping you? Is this about buying the tractor or specifically with the backhoe as part of the package?

 

[ndb1202]

before purchasing my m59 i owned a L 3940 kubota w/ a 7 ft backhoe. I did enjoy the 3940 but honestly the backhoes cannot even be grouped in the same category, the m59s backhoe is a part of the tractor rather than an add on feel it also has way more power!
I found w/ the L39 backhoe was not strong enough to lift up the backend of the tractor,
m59 is,
Also getting off the tractor to get on the backhoe seat is a pain and extremely uncomfortable unless your tiny.
As far as the loader m59 does not struggle with much at all whereas the L39 struggled slightly digging into gravel piles.
With the m59s gpm flow on loader i can run low flow skid steer equipment on front end it has a 16 gpm on front loader ports. i have used log splitter and grapple bucket with it so far.
I am extremely happy with my m59
hope that helped
thanks nick

 

[magicheater]

before purchasing my m59 i owned a L 3940 kubota w/ a 7 ft backhoe. I did enjoy the 3940 but honestly the backhoes cannot even be grouped in the same category, the m59s backhoe is a part of the tractor rather than an add on feel it also has way more power!
I found w/ the L39 backhoe was not strong enough to lift up the backend of the tractor,
m59 is,
Also getting off the tractor to get on the backhoe seat is a pain and extremely uncomfortable unless your tiny.
As far as the loader m59 does not struggle with much at all whereas the L39 struggled slightly digging into gravel piles.
With the m59s gpm flow on loader i can run low flow skid steer equipment on front end it has a 16 gpm on front loader ports. i have used log splitter and grapple bucket with it so far.
I am extremely happy with my m59
hope that helped
thanks nick

All that is left is to send us some pics!!!

 

[NHbotanut]

I did the list when I bought my setup. I kept going back & forth on the backhoe as it was a lot of money. I had made a list of specific jobs to do, projects to undertake and I still to this day find new uses for the backhoe.

One of the deciding factors for me was I had 4 friends who had tractors. Everyone of the them said they wished they had bought the backhoe, but thought they would later down the line. 20 years later, they still don't have the hoe. I've been over a few times to help them out with those projects.

As you stated, you have to be comfortabel with the decision, not me....but writing out the list certainly helped. Talking with other owners also helped.

Good luck with your decision! I know what I would do.......

 

[BotaBX24er]

You may not need your BH that often...but when you do...you'll be darn glad you got it :drink:

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

I'm struggling with justifying the purchase of a TLB and wanted to put this question in front of those who already own such a machine. My struggles are simply based on the $ I'm spending (M59 preferred) versus what I can do with it.

Well since you didn't really say what you want to do with the TLB - here's my opinion FWIW.

Will you earn money with the TLB or save money by not having to hire someone else to do the job? In either case the "justification" is largely a math exercise.

On the other hand if the TLB is more of a "giant yard toy for a big boy" than a "need" ask if you can afford the initial purchase price (or monthly payments) and if the answer is "yes" then go for it. These things hodl their value reasonably well so if you want to sell 5 years? 10 years in the future, it's not like the value will be "0" and in the meantime you will have had it there for use whenever needed.

Remember - You're Never Too Old To Have A Great Childhood.

I have a TLB that will never "pay" for itself, but have no regrets whatsoever regarding the purchase.

 

[coreshot]

You may not need your BH that often...but when you do...you'll be darn glad you got it :drink:

Ditto. As for making a list of uses for the tractor, I could never have imagined how many different uses I was going to have for it before I bought it. If you make your list, keep it and read it a year after your purchase. You'll be able to add at least as many uses to it that you never thought of. Get the tractor!!:thumbsup:

 

[Bill in VA]

Thanks to all of you for the replies.

I'll have my first kubota dealership experience today. Have 2 other dealers fairly local that I will visit over the next week or so. I will also get a price from the Barlow dealership everyone raves about. That should give me 4 good prices to compare. I also intend to visit the service set-ups of the local dealers.

Meanwhile I will remake my list and check it thrice as I gather info. Then I'll probably get hives as it gets down to real decision time. Yea, I hate spending money but I'm getting closer.

I do appreciate the comments and as suggested above, I will keep my list and review it after I've had the tractor (assuming I buy it) for some time.

Any other comments/suggestions would still be appreciated

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Here's a quick example. About a week ago there were no little chores on the horizon for the FEL / BH, so when I installed the MMM, thought I'd just remove the FEL / BH and cut grass without the extra weight for a while since the ground is still a bit spring damp.

Yesterday we dropped by the nursery and on impulse purchased 5 new trees and 10 bags of mulch. I need to dig 5 holes approx 3' dia and 2' deep, haul some good topsoil to back fill around the root ball and then take mulch around to various locations. Could I do this with a shovel and wheelbarrow? - Yes,If necessary, but it sure seems like this little job will be a lot easier with TLB.

If I were trying to justify the purchase - what price would I put on this labor saving and convenience?

 

[ManAtArms]

I was in a similar situation to you about a year ago. I wanted a TLB, but not necessarily to make money. I just found myself performing too many projects around the the homestead where the extra help would be seriously handy.

I looked at the 39, 45, 59 and JD 110. At the end of the day, I got a 59 for slightly more than the 45, and I'm glad I did. The 59 is a beast. Lots of power compared to the smaller units.

I recently rented a new L4400 with a 5' harley rake to redo my lawn (the harley rake is awesome!). I had some topsoil brought in to use as a topdressing. I used a combination of the loaders on the 4400 and the 59 to spread the dirt. The difference in power and grunt between these units is gigantic. That being said, i really think the 4400 has it's place. Much more maneuverable and zippy...smoother ride over dicey terrain. More fuel efficient. I really liked it. I could see myself owning both a small tractor and the 59 in a perfect world.

So I guess what I'm saying is you need to get a machine to match your intended work. The 59 is not the best choice if you see yourself frequently mowing or traversing an established lawn (you will eventually compress the soil and rip up the lawn). However if you want to use the FEL to unload a 3000 lb. pallet of paver stone from a delivery truck, the 4400 won't do it. This is where the 59 shines.

Digging lots of stumps and boulders...the M59 is the better choice. (But it is no industrial hoe.) Sometimes it's just better to rent an excavator or full size industrial backhoe to do some jobs.

How will you store the tractor? The M59 will not fit into a standard garage door.

How about the need to trailer the unit? If you need to tow it from one place to another, rembember the M59 weighs about 9k, add 4k for a 7 ton trailer and you need a serious truck (like a dually) to move it about. In some states, you will need a CDL to legally move a trailer over 10K.

Just some thoughts...

-Mark

 

[rScotty]

I'm struggling with justifying the purchase of a TLB ......
By the way, my wife supports the purchase. I'm only debating myself at this point.

Bill, you sound just like me two years ago. My wife was the one who wanted me to buy a new tractor.

So we started with the larger compact tractors and then at 60+HP Ag tractors with a cab, loader, and backhoe attachments...and didn't overlook the big yellow TLBs from Case, Ford, and Cat. At one point We came very close to buyng a JD110 - even used one for several days.... But we bought a Kubota M59 and after two years are still glad we did.
good luck, rScotty

 

[Bill in VA]

You guys make me feel better about this process and I appreciate that. So far 95% of what has been mentioned I had already considered so I'm feeling better about my thoroughness.

Storage is an issue that has actually come along at the right time. One of the reasons I'm considering the purchase is that we are going to build a new storage shed on the property. I've already looked at the size specs of the M59, to accomodate it. But it will be under a tarp until late summer.

My list of uses continues to grow. Old fences to rip out, boulders to move, stone wall to build...etc...etc. I have no need to trailer the M59 at all and I don't see mowing with it either. We have an older/smaller tractor to accomplish many of the typical farm tractor duties (no loader on it). So the M59 will primarily be used for more construction/clean-up/road maintenance stuff.

I am pretty certain that I can't afford a commercial construction backhoe and the M59 appears to be as close as I can get to that.

My first dealer visit was informative with no real discussion of price (intentional on my part). I will make several more contacts today and we'll see where it all leads.

My biggest concern is the nagging question "Is there something more prudent to use this money for?", which is a good question to be asking. I just want to feel confident about my decision. I'm a firm believer in doing your homework, make the decision and then don't second-guess yourself after that.

You guys are helping........thanks

 

[ManAtArms]

......My biggest concern is the nagging question "Is there something more prudent to use this money for?", which is a good question to be asking. I just want to feel confident about my decision. I'm a firm believer in doing your homework, make the decision and then don't second-guess yourself after that.

You guys are helping........thanks

Bill,

Only you can answer that. The M59 is a big nut. I use mine a few times a week, so in my mind, I'm getting my money out of it. At this rate of use, if I rented a tractor my cost would be higher. Then again, I'm having fun, so cost isn't the only consideration for me.

I think we're back to the intended use issue. If you think you can perform all of your intended fun stuff, I mean chores, with a smaller machine, and your the type of guy who will be upset over paying for needless overcapacity, then save your coin and go smaller...like the L39 or L45, or even an L48. On the other hand, if you want to dig up a 3500lb. boulder cause it's in the way when you mow the lawn....you're might need the bigger machine.

 

[rScotty]

You guys make me feel better about this process and I appreciate that. You guys are helping........thanks

Check your private messages too.

 

[jayste]

By the way, my wife supports the purchase

Biggest hurdle crossed and all is downhill from here! M59 is a good unit.:thumbsup:

 

[Ken45101]

I found w/ the L39 backhoe was not strong enough to lift up the backend of the tractor,
m59 is,

That's interesting. My B21 can lift the rear end without a problem.

To the OP, you haven't really said what you will use the BH for. For most tasks, I've found the B21 capable except it was a bit scary working on hillsides (as I suspect most backhoes would be.) Over the 6-7 years, I put 400 hours on my B21. Last year I bought a mini excavator, mostly for doing trail work and a little serious digging

Depending on your digging needs, the M59 may be overkill for what you need. Then again, it may not. One advantage of the smaller units is that they can work in more congested areas and don't lawn damage like a bigger, heavier unit.

Ken

 

[Duffster]

In some states, you will need a CDL to legally move a trailer over 10K.

Only in CA, but I will assume that Bill is from VA.

 

[Bill in VA]

I'll have little need to trailer the M59 as we only have a single piece of property.

As for intended use, here are some:

Maintaining 1 mile of dirt road (shale bed, very rough now)

Plowing snow

Ripping out fences and replacing

Picking boulders from a creek bed

Digging drainage ditches

Digging foundations (24" deep, 2' wide)

Lifting logs

Clearing brush

Building stone wall and rock gardens

Lifting building materials

etc/etc/etc

 

[newbury]

Since you seem fairly well set on an M59, and you haven't picked a dealer and you live in Virginia (we assume) check out Barlows, both new and used.
Used Kubota Tractors
They deliver all over for a very fair price.

Right now they have an M59 w/ 300hrs for $39.5K.

Be sure to get a thumb.