Feedback on JCB MIDI and M59

[MarkMendes]

Guys-
My first Post - but reading for years
I am thinking about trading in my older LS170 skid steer and buying a TLB for one machine all around stuff. As much as I search the Web I see many people talk about the M59 Kubota but not much on the JCB MIDI. I need a cab for winters as my wife may have to plow when I'm off on business. These run about $50K and the M59 with a proper cab runs $60K (i like Laurin better than others on paper due to the versatility of the rear section of the cab). However $60K is really beyond what I think I "should" spend for my non-commercial around the farm use. I have thought about the tractor option with cab but to get 17 gallons of hydro flow up front you need a larger tractor than we prefer in our barn.

Whats your experience with these machine is there any JCB feedback out there?

 

[jenkinsph]

I did lots of comparisons a few years ago and wound up buying a 110tlb with a Laurin cab. This was before the introduction of the M59 so at that time I considered the smaller Kubotas, Deere 110 and the JCB among others.

You don't say much about usage of the machine but given the choices I would go for the M59. It has better 3PH lift capacities, and more pto hp (the JCB is 25 pto hp), three range hydro transmission (vs two speed on JCB) better digging capacity. Compare the front hydraulic controls for the auxillary circuit much better on the M59. Now just my thoughts but the Kubota M59 is a well thought out machine.

The JCB MIDI is closer to the abilities of a Deere 110tlb than the Kubota M59.When dropping the hoe and using this as a 3PH tractor the M59 will outperform the JCB. Using pto driven implements the JCB with only 25 pto hp is coming up short, my 110 tlb has 31 hp and the M59 has 46 hp. Spending this much money I would hate to see you come up short on pto power for attachments. Also when you consider the weight of all three of the machines I mention the 60 hp engine will make for higher ground speeds and is another important concern.

 

[dsgsr]

I agree with jenkinsph. I just ordered the M59. I don't know much about the JCB, when I found out the pto hp was only 25 I didn't do any more research on the machine. I was at the point where I needed a new tractor but also needed and excavator but couldn't afford both. IMO the M59 fit the bill more than any other machine out there.


David

 

[MarkMendes]

Thanks for the feedback Steve. I too had the concern of the 25 PTO horsepower - its the cab, or lack thereof that has me frustrated. If the M59 had a factory Cab we'd be done here. The Laurin is big $ and I don't like the other popular one. Looks aftermarket and its not easy to convert. Also on the MIDI seems like that the hoe pins and structure are a little beefier (not a word) but on the tractor side the M59 wins. I have 6 implements for the Skid Steer that I want to preserve the use on - that was the big deal for going this way - front end hydraulics. Kubota dealer network seem more prevalent as well

 

[MarkMendes]

Dave - thanks - how limiting is the 25 hp at pto in your mind - bush hogging, slice seeder? Other things I'm forgetting - snow blower - maybe but this is VA - 3 good storms per year. I think its the bush hog concern at 25 pro

 

[jenkinsph]

Mark,
I installed the Laurin cab on my 110tlb, it was purchased with the tractor and shipped in on a large pallet. After using this for six years I can say I am well satisfied with it. I would have preferred that Deere offer a factory cab but they never did. I haven't researched the M59 and Laurin cab but would think this would be a better match overall.

About the pto hp, the M59 at 46 hp means you can run much larger implements/attachments which is obvious, the 25 pto hp is just too low for a machine of this size and cost IMO.

To make things easier to manage I bought the 4520 cab with 60 hp and 50 pto hp without a fel and use this now for most of my tractor work. I prefer to have the separate tlb and separate tractor, but for a one size fits all the M59 would be an excellent choice. While the 110tlb will handle any of my implements well it is much slower to operate than the 4520 traversing inclines. This is why I feel the M59 with very similar power to the 4520 would be the better choice.

 

[MarkMendes]

Steve-

I called the dealer and told him to call Laurin and get a do-it-yourself price for me - if I buy the tractor they should let me get the cab at cost IMHO
Lets see what happens - best,

 

[Ford tractor]

With the economy in the current state, there are a huge number of construction machines on the market for cheap. You can get a Case 580 4wd with cab for 30,000 that will run circles around the 2 choices you list. Won't have that expensive new paint smell, but it also wont depreciate much for the next 10 years.

I like to look at machinerytrader.com

 

[dsgsr]

Mark as Steve mentioned, 25 pto hp isn't much when you consider that size machine could run a 6' bush hog with ease. It would be minimum for a 5' hog or a 4" chipper taxing the the gearing and not leaving any room for shock.

David

 

[Martian]

Mark,
How often do you plan on using and what types of attachments will you be using with the 3PH? 25HP at the PTO can't do much for that size of a tractor, you'll be running a rotor tiller half the wheel base of the tractor.

I would not consider the JCB unless you really don't plan on using the PTO at all.

I would also consider a regular tractor with backhoe and then you could get a factory cab. Although you won't get quite the dig depth with the optional hoe it will come with a lower price tag.

After looking at the Laurin Cab, never seen it before, I would definitely go that direction. It's easy to spend others money but it will be a nice investment. Although I've never had the privilege to operate a M59 I have sat on one at my Kubota dealer before and is definitely a good looking machine and a nice size. When I was buying I didn't want to shell out the extra bucks for the more HP, the cab and the backhoe so I went with a 3120 JD but if I were to do it again I would put the more money in up front and done it right. I'm currently looking at another larger mid 90's full size backhoe to complement my 3120 because it can't do the larger jobs and I miss not having a backhoe. If I had it to do over again, especially seeing that cab I would be all over that M59, a lot of HP, and a good tractor.