Kubota M59

[bdog]

Thats the next dilemma. I may sell the CTL. I have two of them actually a 322 and a 332. The 332 has kind of been permanently modified to dig holes. It doesn't even have the loader arms on it anymore. Really all use the 322 for anymore is a forklift for loadin and unloading pallets and occasional minor dirt work. Nothing that the M59 couldn't do.

The previous owner of the M59 bought it in his eighties. I don't think he ever really used it except maybe to plant a tree or smooth out his alley. The guy that takes care of their place said most of the 39 hours it has are from them starting it and letting it run. They started it every couple of weeks and let it run thirty minutes or so to keep the battery fresh and the fluids circulated.

 

[LD1]

What size is that bucket? and did you get any others? If not, I think the first thing (after maintenance) is some more buckets.:thumbsup:

 

[TSO]

Looks fantastic ... Price?

 

[bdog]

What size is that bucket? and did you get any others? If not, I think the first thing (after maintenance) is some more buckets.:thumbsup:

It is a 24". Probably will be fine for everything I do. I did some digging with it and am impressed. Have it pulled in my shop now and the oil drained. We had a water pipe start leaking in the slab of our house so I have been dealing with that and have not got to finish my oil change / grease job.

Looks fantastic ... Price?

They were asking $43,500. I got it for 41k. I bought it from a widow lady that I know and who is my moms next door neighbor so I didn't want to try and haggle to much. I think it was a fair price. Not the deal of the century but fair especially considering the condition of the machine.

 

[TSO]

It is a 24". Probably will be fine for everything I do. I did some digging with it and am impressed. Have it pulled in my shop now and the oil drained. We had a water pipe start leaking in the slab of our house so I have been dealing with that and have not got to finish my oil change / grease job.

They were asking $43,500. I got it for 41k. I bought it from a widow lady that I know and who is my moms next door neighbor so I didn't want to try and haggle to much. I think it was a fair price. Not the deal of the century but fair especially considering the condition of the machine.

Excellent price!

 

[LD1]

If I had to choose only 1 bucket, it would be a 24" bucket.

But it is nice to have a some more. 24" is a bit much if you are only running electric or a 4" tile or water service. And its a bit small if you ever do try to tackle a large hole or basement. What is the largest bucket that hoe is rated for? I like my 36"-1/2yd bucket for moving lots of dirt quickly.

 

[bdog]

The book lists 12"-36" as options.

I am by no means an expert operator but I was digging some with it yesterday and in our dry hard ground I am not sure I would want to go any larger. It handles the 24" but you have to pay attention to not overdo it. Anything bigger might be too much.

 

[LD1]

The book lists 12"-36" as options.

I am by no means an expert operator but I was digging some with it yesterday and in our dry hard ground I am not sure I would want to go any larger. It handles the 24" but you have to pay attention to not overdo it. Anything bigger might be too much.

I'll take your word for it. If a larger bucket slows down the hydraulics, then you wont have a productivity increase. At that point, would only be handy in soft soils or loose piles. But I would still want something smaller for utilities and such. Less to backfill, and less time to settle and be able to drive over the trench without getting stuck.

 

[ultrarunner]

Sweet Deal and thanks for posting the details...

I've found equipment prices don't vary all that much around the country...

What does vary is the cost of a machine with operator.

Up in Washington... there are plenty of experienced operators that are real reasonable once you develop a rapport... I needed some work done and the operator referred to me by the neighbor wouldn't take a dime until it was done and I had inspected it... told him I wouldn't be back for 6 weeks and said not a problem.


This would NEVER happen in the SF Bay Area... maybe too many scammers? It's also hard to find guys for small jobs... just not many around and those that are say it's not worth it or they would have to charge so much to mobilize the customer wouldn't pay...plus, all the cities around here require anyone doing any kind of work to have a city business license... doesn't matter if you are a sign painter or digging a trench...

 

[Sysop]

I'll take your word for it. If a larger bucket slows down the hydraulics, then you wont have a productivity increase. At that point, would only be handy in soft soils or loose piles. But I would still want something smaller for utilities and such. Less to backfill, and less time to settle and be able to drive over the trench without getting stuck.

I agree totally... I like having a 10 or 12 inch bucket for small trenches to drop a line or conduit into (whatever the narrowest the unit can use). 16 or 20 inches for drains and such. A 24" bucket on a smaller machine doesn't make much sense to me on 90% of what I get into. If I need to move that much dirt per scoop, I need a rental. I would hate having to cut a 24" trench all the way around a 3' stump just to pull it. Spreading the force of a smaller machine on a 24" bucket generally lowers the PSI it can apply enough it will struggle with roots a smaller bucket on the same machine would eat right through.