What tractor?? M59 or another 60hp farm machine

[ChemE]

Okay, I have read a ton and here is my situation. I'm starting to build a house in 1.5 - 2 years from now. I'll buy this machine next spring to start clearing 2 acres of a 3 acre lot. I only have about 4; 24" + dia trees and theses could be cut down and stump grinded (not near foundation or under the driveway. The remaining trees are less than 4"-6" dia.

I have to dig a 1200ft. trench for the local utility for electric (with several small trenches for 3 neighbors (vacant lots). The utility company wants it all put in at the same time and as such they will provide all materials (conduit, transformer pads, etc). The property will be on a well and septic. We have to have licensed contractors for these, but the trench to the house is my responsibility.

I will be an owner builder on this house so all grading is my responsibility and we are planning several block walls (80% walk out basement on the rear and 75% walk out on the left side). Could an M59 be used to dig the foundation, well yes, but at what speed would it take me? A dozer could do it in a day, would it take me 5 days? I may have a dozer do this regardless.

And at this point you are saying to yourself, this knuckle head could just contract all this out and save a ton of money over the M59. Well yes, but the catch is we have 257 acres about 2 hours from our home and the tractor will reside there after the house is done. In our neck of the woods I'm told you should not brush hog with a tractor less than 50-55 hp (an opinion of a friend that I shoot with has property about an hour from ours, same terrain and thick vegetation). The property has about 25 acres in field and the rest is woods with various roads and a creek through it. The backhoe is one thing that could be used a ton on the 257 acres. Cutting roads and digging out rocks, as not to much is flat ground.

So am I crazy to think the M59 is what I need or should I not spend the $46k and just spend it on a $26k farm machine instead? I have two friends with Case skid loaders (85xt & 440ct), who both say that I should just borrow their machines on the build. I trade hours with these guys on projects, but I have no way to pay back the value of use on their machine. I'd rather just buy something I could use for the build without asking for favors (back to the mooch thread).

Lay it on me guys and I've got thick skin, so tell it like it is.

Thanks

ChemE

 

[LarryRB]

I have the L48 model which the new M59 is replacing,. I have had other compact machines with add on Bradco backhoe. This is alright for some, it wasn't right for me,, To constantly get on tractor, get off, climb backhoe seat and back and forth and back and forth tires one quickly not to mention the constant on and off just to move the machine,.. The commercial machines,, L39-48, M 59 and John Deere's 110 tlb's use the same seat, No need to climb on and off, they have three pumps with one being dedicated to hoe swing, the other machines have two pumps, one for steering and the back half for impliment use.. The commercials are built heavier and are designed for much rougher work areas.

 

[MarkV]

Do keep in mind that the L59 plus trailer will be over 10k lbs and may require a CDL licenses when towing. Not to mention a good size truck.

MarkV

 

[ChemE]

On the CDL issue. In Missouri, if your over 26,000 lbs you need a CDL. After talking with the highway patrol, the GVWR of an F-350 SRW crew cab is 11,000 lbs. That "could" include a max payload of 4090 lbs in the bed. If the trailer is rated at 14,000 lbs, your combination is 25,000 lbs; less than 26k. The 14k trailer is 3500 lbs and the M59 is 8500 lbs (dry). My understanding is if I had this empty F-350 pulling an empty 16k trailer, I'd better have a CDL in my wallet. That was my impression was from the MO SHP.

The tow ratings for a fifth wheel at this set up is 13,000 lbs for 4.10 gears and 15,000lbs for 4.30. Note if I go with a DRW 4x4 crew cab and the above noted trailer, I need a CDL from that trucks GVWR (over 12,000 lbs.).

 

[ChemE]

Here is what my Missouri State Highway Patrolman qouted:

You must have a CDL to operate:
· A single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of
more than 26,000 pounds.

· A trailer with a GVWR of more than 10,000 pounds if the gross
combination weight rating is more than 26,000 pounds.

So even if your empty with a 16k trailer, you better have a CDL. He said it goes on rating not what you have loaded it to, unless your over it then it's another set of problems you've gotten yourself into.

 

[JerryJHarrison]

I faced a similar dilemma when looking at new Kubotas a year ago. I opted for the tractor, not for cost reasons, but because the FEL was not removable on the TLB. At times, I needed the ability to get around some tight spots in the woods, and not being able to remove the FEL was the deciding issue for me.

I ended up getting a L5740 with a large sub-frame backhoe, and it has done everything I needed, and I can drop the gear on the front or the rear to do other stuff when needed.

 

[ChemE]

Thanks to those who responded. I'm not totally decided, but once I start getting hard estimates back on my house construction costs, I can figure out how much money I have to work with.

Jerry, the woods issue will not be a factor for us as I plan on making more through our property in the country. The roads will need to be wide.

Thanks again.

ChemE