Kubota M59 vs mini ex and trackloader

bearmtnmartin · Mar 26, 2009

greetings. I design and install septic systems. I have for years used a full size TLB. Now I am thinking about downsizing it, because it is a little big for a lot of the backyards I get into, and its too heavy for a number of reasons. I have two options I am considering. I have demoed a Ditch Witch XT1600(great idea, but needs some development) a JD110(too small and no swivel seat) and a Kubota L59. The L59 is a really nice little machine. It almost seems like the way to go. But I am not sure how it would stand up in a construction environment. The swing post is cast with no bushings, and all the pins seem really small. I don't want to be waving a piece of spagetti around the jobsite in a couple of years. And since I have snapped pins on my big hoe, I know they need to be tough. And then I wonder if I should be looking at a mini hoe instead. I have run them too, and they are great, and definately built tough. But I would be looking at probably a 50 or 70 size to have the same reach and dump height as the Kubota, and then the weight is getting up there again. And I would have no loader bucket, so how do I run drainrock? I would have to bring my little trackloader to every job, which means twice the screwing around, twice the greasing twice as long to load and unload etc. Or the other option is to keep going with what I have and stop worrying about it. Any thoughts or input would be welcome.

AKfish · Mar 26, 2009

bearmtnmartin said:
greetings. I design and install septic systems. I have for years used a full size TLB. Now I am thinking about downsizing it, because it is a little big for a lot of the backyards I get into, and its too heavy for a number of reasons. I have two options I am considering. I have demoed a Ditch Witch XT1600(great idea, but needs some development) a JD110(too small and no swivel seat) and a Kubota L59. The L59 is a really nice little machine. It almost seems like the way to go. But I am not sure how it would stand up in a construction environment. The swing post is cast with no bushings, and all the pins seem really small. I don't want to be waving a piece of spagetti around the jobsite in a couple of years. And since I have snapped pins on my big hoe, I know they need to be tough. And then I wonder if I should be looking at a mini hoe instead. I have run them too, and they are great, and definately built tough. But I would be looking at probably a 50 or 70 size to have the same reach and dump height as the Kubota, and then the weight is getting up there again. And I would have no loader bucket, so how do I run drainrock? I would have to bring my little trackloader to every job, which means twice the screwing around, twice the greasing twice as long to load and unload etc. Or the other option is to keep going with what I have and stop worrying about it. Any thoughts or input would be welcome.

Welcome to TBN. Good spot to "kick the tires". Heck, you sold me.... M59!!

But... what are you using currently?

If I was in the Septic design/install business - I'd have what most other Septic guys have up here - a 12 yard, twin-screw dumptruck with a 24K tilt-bed trailer and a JD 80 excavator with 24" and 36" buckets. Well, not everyone has a JD 80... Komatsu's, Hitachi's, Kubota's, Takeuchi's. Most of 'em are in the 20K range, though. They use the bigger, clean-out bucket for the drain rock.

Wanna downsize; go with a 5yd dump and a 14K tilt with the JD 50 and 2 buckets.

Best of luck.

AKfish

bearmtnmartin · Mar 26, 2009

actually a lot of guys up here use rubber tires. Its probably a split between them and a 50-80 size hi hoe. My problem is I do a lot of repairs which mean inaccesible backyards, which means tight for space, and the sand and drainrock gets left on the street. Thats a long way sometimes with a cleanup bucket at a time at 3 mph. And I have a tandem axle gravel truck to pull my hoe. I want to get rid of that too and get a single axle with an automatic. It's easier for the help to drive and you don't need the big liscence. I guess my main worry is whether the Kubota is a farm tractor or an industrial machine.

LarryRB · Mar 26, 2009

I have the "older", smaller brother to the 59 that being the 48. THey are construction grade design and build. No problems with my pins and yes they do seem on the small side.. I got the mechanical quick attach hoe bucket, Best option for the dollar one can get.. We have lot's of rock, ledge, granite outcroppings and more stone, rock ledge than one can think about. The 48 has been flawless digging this geologic area, about 700 hours/ Are you New York Bear mountain area?

Tags · Mar 26, 2009

I don't think the 59 would do you wrong. As Larry said, the 48's are unstoppable. A landscape company that rents some space where I do has an old L48 and I can tell you for sure, it gets the bare minimum in maintenance, hardly ever sees grease, and gets nothing but abuse from 2 or 3 different operators. The machine is still quite tight and really has had no mechanical failures, the only "problem" they had was they were ripping ledge with it and tore the lip of the 24" bucket.

That being said, I do exactly what you do, some septic installs and some repairs, I do not own a rubber tire machine, and haven't missed having one. I usually try to get the truck close so I can dig stone right out of the back with my mini. If thats not possible I bring my tracked skid steer and the mini on the same trailer. I understand your point though of not wanting to use 2 pieces of equipment for one job, but the small amount of mess the track machines make compared to a rubber tire machine is far less, especially if its wet out.

tlbuser · Mar 27, 2009

Smaller sites are a boogger to work on. And the way the installers are stacking the utilities it's going to get worse for anyone in the repair business. The M59 is pretty impressive for its size. Our local dealer has one that we've played with and while some things are nicer than others, sticker shock is yet to be overcome. Std.front bucket, cutting edge, 2 buckets is on special for $55,125.00 delivered.

The Yanmar CBL-40 boasts alot of the same features although a little smaller size and hp.

While tracked machines are nice for quite a few things, it's tough to beat a good tlb for all around everyday use.

Tags · Mar 27, 2009

tlbuser said:
Smaller sites are a boogger to work on. And the way the installers are stacking the utilities it's going to get worse for anyone in the repair business. The M59 is pretty impressive for its size. Our local dealer has one that we've played with and while some things are nicer than others, sticker shock is yet to be overcome. Std.front bucket, cutting edge, 2 buckets is on special for $55,125.00 delivered.

The Yanmar CBL-40 boasts alot of the same features although a little smaller size and hp.

While tracked machines are nice for quite a few things, it's tough to beat a good tlb for all around everyday use.

A buddy of mine just got a quote on one for $49900 with front and rear hydraulics, 24" hoe bucket, and three point hitch. Also keep in mind the L45 is on the way, same size as the L39 but all the features of the M59 and about 8 grand less. Also the L45 and M59 both have enough front hydraulic flow to run skid some skid steer attachments like a harley rake, broom, and the like.

bearmtnmartin · Mar 28, 2009

You guys might know better, but I was pretty sure a JD110 is a badge engineered Yanmar. They are almost identical. Except JD in their wisdom got rid of the swivel seat and added that hokey flip over thing. Its like going back to an old Massey, and a complete non starter for an operator who will put 1500 hours a year on the thing. Anyway, its way too small.

capt_met · Mar 28, 2009

2005 INGERSOLL-RAND BL570 Loader Backhoe For Sale At MachineryTrader.com

not much left to say

Builder · Mar 28, 2009

bearmtnmartin said:
greetings. I design and install septic systems. I have for years used a full size TLB. Now I am thinking about downsizing it, because it is a little big for a lot of the backyards I get into, and its too heavy for a number of reasons. I have two options I am considering. I have demoed a Ditch Witch XT1600(great idea, but needs some development) a JD110(too small and no swivel seat) and a Kubota L59. The L59 is a really nice little machine. It almost seems like the way to go. But I am not sure how it would stand up in a construction environment. The swing post is cast with no bushings, and all the pins seem really small. I don't want to be waving a piece of spagetti around the jobsite in a couple of years. And since I have snapped pins on my big hoe, I know they need to be tough. And then I wonder if I should be looking at a mini hoe instead. I have run them too, and they are great, and definately built tough. But I would be looking at probably a 50 or 70 size to have the same reach and dump height as the Kubota, and then the weight is getting up there again. And I would have no loader bucket, so how do I run drainrock? I would have to bring my little trackloader to every job, which means twice the screwing around, twice the greasing twice as long to load and unload etc. Or the other option is to keep going with what I have and stop worrying about it. Any thoughts or input would be welcome.

Can an M-59 lift & set a septic tank?

The hoes are no comparison to full size.