Tractor Sizing M59 VS full size backhoe.

[4570Man]

I'm dabbling in construction work. My current tractor was inadequate. I sold it and am about to buy a bigger machine. The uses will be light land clearing and pretty much all of the dirt moving required to build a house. A grapple is a must. A m59 loader is twice as strong as my tractor was and the backhoe is 3 times is strong, but it still falls a lot short of a full size. Any thoughts about both machines?

 

[mike69440]

I'm dabbling in construction work. My current tractor was inadequate. I sold it and am about to buy a bigger machine. The uses will be light land clearing and pretty much all of the dirt moving required to build a house. A grapple is a must. A m59 loader is twice as strong as my tractor was and the backhoe is 3 times is strong, but it still falls a lot short of a full size. Any thoughts about both machines?

Will you have a basement? if so Kubota TLB is not the best to dig one, especially with rocky soil with roots. 2-3 days with a 15-20ton excavator, and the TLB can handle the rest. Big basements are no fun even with Full Size BH. M59 is great for light land clearing and pretty much all of the other dirt moving, digging, grading on a house site/ farm etc. You can tow an M59 with a HD PU.

 

[4570Man]

I've got a 22k gooseneck and access to a duramax dually so I could manage the full size on short trips, but the M59 is definitely more manageable.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

If, and this is a HUGE if, are you only going to have a single machine? An industrial TLB will dig circles around an M59. Loader lifts 50%+ more weight, but that's all it is, a TLB. An M59 can have a 3pt hitch and there are many jobs simply accomplished better-faster using 3pt implements. If you are serious about this type of work, you really need to consider multiple machines. One machine simply cannot do everything well and quick. Time is money as well as customers want to see things getting done, not dragged out for longer periods of time.

If it were me and could only have one machine, I would pick the M59 over an industrial TLB.

Just my :2cents:

 

[EddieWalker]

From what I've seen on Kubota backhoe prices, it doesn't make sense to buy a little one when a full sized loader backhoe is the same or less money.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

From what I've seen on Kubota backhoe prices, it doesn't make sense to buy a little one when a full sized loader backhoe is the same or less money.

All depends on what it gets used for. If only for TLB uses, then you are correct and an industrial TLB is the way to go. But if he has tasks better performed with a 3pt hitch implement, (actual grading or bush hogging for examples) the industrial TLB is a waste.

 

[4570Man]

In the immediate future I can only afford one machine. I hope to own more later. I have access to other tractor, but they weigh less than half what the m59 tractor does.

 

[4570Man]

From what I've seen on Kubota backhoe prices, it doesn't make sense to buy a little one when a full sized loader backhoe is the same or less money.

If buying new you're correct, but I found a used M59 for $24,000 which was about what I was planning on spending on a full sized backhoe.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

In the immediate future I can only afford one machine. I hope to own more later. I have access to other tractor, but they weigh less than half what the m59 tractor does.

Not knowing what all you will be offering to do for people, but the better all around machine is the M59 IMO. If all you are going to do is TLB work, then why even bother considering the M59?

 

[4570Man]

Not knowing what all you will be offering to do for people, but the better all around machine is the M59 IMO. If all you are going to do is TLB work, then why even bother considering the M59?

Because it's more manageable to move around. The single biggest reason is loosing the SSQA on the front. If I didn't care about the grapple option I'd have a full size and never think twice.

 

[jenkinsph]

I do a lot of this work and can tell you for the variety of mixed jobs the M59 is a lot better choice. Rarely do I need to call in a larger backhoe than my 110 and the M59 will work faster too. I hired a 20 ton excavator today for a job bigger than I would take on with my 110. Don't need to own everything.

 

[chuck172]

How would a full sized backhoe, or a M59, compare to a farm tractor with a hoe attachment. A strong attachment like a woods BH90x?
I would think buying an attachment would be like spending 10k on a toy. Comparatively speaking.

 

[Rmart30]

I would buy the tractor and skip the backhoe for it with what they cost. If you are just dabbling as you say, id either rent a small excavator or backhoe. Or possibly even buy a used backhoe or excavator down the rd.

 

[EddieWalker]

Because it's more manageable to move around. The single biggest reason is loosing the SSQA on the front. If I didn't care about the grapple option I'd have a full size and never think twice.

Every brand has a version with a removable front bucket. Most of them call it a tool carrier. You can remove the bucket and attach a grapple, pallet forks or even a hay fork. I modified my 555E to a quick attach so I could have a grapple. I can't think of nothing more useful for land clearing then a backhoe to dig out the trees, and then the grapple to pick them up and put them on the burn pile.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

Because it's more manageable to move around. The single biggest reason is loosing the SSQA on the front. If I didn't care about the grapple option I'd have a full size and never think twice.

So based on this statement, you won't need to do any 3pt work. You just want a smaller than full size TLB.

 

[4570Man]

How would a full sized backhoe, or a M59, compare to a farm tractor with a hoe attachment. A strong attachment like a woods BH90x?
I would think buying an attachment would be like spending 10k on a toy. Comparatively speaking.

Not even close. I had a Kubota BH90 and the M59 backhoe is about 3 times as strong and the loader is more than twice as strong. A full size is quite a bit stronger than the M59.

 

[4570Man]

Every brand has a version with a removable front bucket. Most of them call it a tool carrier. You can remove the bucket and attach a grapple, pallet forks or even a hay fork. I modified my 555E to a quick attach so I could have a grapple. I can't think of nothing more useful for land clearing then a backhoe to dig out the trees, and then the grapple to pick them up and put them on the burn pile.

View attachment 515481

I'm thinking this is where I'm at. A M59 is going to take the whole budget by itself assuming I even find one that cheap. I could spend 15-20k on the full sized and have some money left to convert the front and buy a grapple.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I'm thinking this is where I'm at. A M59 is going to take the whole budget by itself assuming I even find one that cheap. I could spend 15-20k on the full sized and have some money left to convert the front and buy a grapple.

I think that is a wise decision. Now to find a good used full sized hoe.

 

[mike69440]

I would buy the tractor and skip the backhoe for it with what they cost. If you are just dabbling as you say, id either rent a small excavator or backhoe. Or possibly even buy a used backhoe or excavator down the rd.

A M59 needs the BH plus 1/2 full loaded rears to fully use the bucket. Too light otherwise. A full size TLB is like a really big Swiss army knife that does not fit in your pocket. That is why machines like the M59 cost near as much as a full size TLB

Also, that is why excavators and skid steers are so popular on larger job sites, as the may not be Swiss army knives, but do what they do very well.

 

[rScotty]

I have two TLBs for the past 4 years now, so ask away. There's an M59 and a JD310SG. These are not used for commercial work; they are both just used on our mountain property in Colorado and for helping with occasional chores for neighbors. We are still rebuilding & landscaping from a 500 year flood that swept across our land in 2013. It completely reshaped the land, moved the creek, filled in the pond, and left a mountain of debris and boulders. There has been more than enough work for two machines. At first we did a lot of hiring bulldozer & excavator time..

Both are turbo diesels, and everything works as it should. The M59 has a thumb, but no extra weights or tire fill. The JD310SG has a cab with every comfort, an extendahoe, and extra weights. Both machines are in extra good condition with good tread.

The machines are parked side by side, and we simply use the one that fits the job. Sometimes that means using one's backhoe to fill the other's loader bucket. It's been fun - sort of a dream come true to be able to choose which one of two such excellent machines to use each day. Tractors and machinery are long-time hobbies of mine. Along with tractors, I enjoy welding, machining, and generally tinkering on things.

The machines are both good TLBs, but they do have different strengths. Some of the differences are things that will surprise you after you use both for awhile.
What are you wanting to compare?
enjoy,
rScotty