M59 Speed Ranges

[TNOrange]

Hello all, New M59 Owner with a quick question. I am wondering if all is "right" with my new machine. In high midrange I can only get up to about 5-6 MPH. In H high I have to really lay into the throttle to get up to 12 MPH. I was just moving some dirt last night and found that I needed to shift into H to do my travel efficiently. In H it seems like reverse is almost faster than going forward. Is this normal for you all?
Thanks!

 

[wmonroe]

Welcome to TBN. Does your transmission have the hi/low split on each of the three ranges? Sorry I'm not as familiar with the M59. Either way it sounds like something is not operating correctly. How many hours are on it? When was the fuel filter changed last? Any abnormal smoke?

 

[workinallthetime]

i think your m59 has some of the same features as my L45, on the inteli panel on your right do you see a rabbit or a turttle? the lever on the left of the stearing wheel controls this with a up and down position. in addition these machines do not like low rpm's once you bring the rpm's up to 2k they travel and operate much smother. do you have the suto throttle on or off?

 

[Cooter88]

In addition to the above post: many people don't use the brakes much on these machines. Make sure the park brake is off. Also the small dial on the dash panel that read slow/fast is best left in the mid range position for good transmission operation. Not to say you shouldn't adjust it for specific operation.

 

[avc8130]

In addition to the above post: many people don't use the brakes much on these machines. Make sure the park brake is off. Also the small dial on the dash panel that read slow/fast is best left in the mid range position for good transmission operation. Not to say you shouldn't adjust it for specific operation.

Are you referring to the HST response dial? I leave min all the way "slow" on my L45 usually unless I am working in really tight quarters.

ac

 

[TNOrange]

Thanks for the responses. I think the issue is that I was not running at a sufficiently high RPM. I previously owned an L39 GST, and was used to being able to have higher over the ground speed even at low RPM. If I crank up the RPM into the 2200-2500 I guess all is well. Just need to get used to running it at a higher RPM. I guess the rated RPM is 2700, though I can't imagine cranking it up quite that high, but certainly is the case that above 2000 is better.

Did a bunch of loader work this weekend, and even though I have a GEHL 6635 skidsteer, I could move more material faster with that large bucket on the M59. Really is a night and day difference from what I became used to with the L39. . Thanks all, really like the machine.

 

[avc8130]

Thanks for the responses. I think the issue is that I was not running at a sufficiently high RPM. I previously owned an L39 GST, and was used to being able to have higher over the ground speed even at low RPM. If I crank up the RPM into the 2200-2500 I guess all is well. Just need to get used to running it at a higher RPM. I guess the rated RPM is 2700, though I can't imagine cranking it up quite that high, but certainly is the case that above 2000 is better.

Did a bunch of loader work this weekend, and even though I have a GEHL 6635 skidsteer, I could move more material faster with that large bucket on the M59. Really is a night and day difference from what I became used to with the L39. . Thanks all, really like the machine.

Have you tried the auto-throttle?

When I run my L45, I set the rpm with the hand throttle for good hydraulic speed (usually around 2k) and then I let the auto throttle handle raising and lowering RPM based on HST pedal position.

Have you tried putting the M59 bucket on the GEHL? For straight up material moving, it's tough to beat a skid steer.

ac

 

[TNOrange]

Have you tried the auto-throttle?

When I run my L45, I set the rpm with the hand throttle for good hydraulic speed (usually around 2k) and then I let the auto throttle handle raising and lowering RPM based on HST pedal position.

Have you tried putting the M59 bucket on the GEHL? For straight up material moving, it's tough to beat a skid steer.

ac

AC,
Interesting: Using autothrottle is what actually got me confused since to get the speed in each range by advancing the HST all the way also made the throttle advance to 2700+ RPMs, I found that I was more comfortable by setting the throttle and then advancing the HST pedal independently.

The GEHL is a great machine, and I have Steel tracks over the tires so it is great on hills. You are right that it will handle the M59 bucket fine and moving short distances for loader work I agree. Moving material longer distances, the over the ground speed of the M59 is faster.

 

[avc8130]

AC,
Interesting: Using autothrottle is what actually got me confused since to get the speed in each range by advancing the HST all the way also made the throttle advance to 2700+ RPMs, I found that I was more comfortable by setting the throttle and then advancing the HST pedal independently.

The GEHL is a great machine, and I have Steel tracks over the tires so it is great on hills. You are right that it will handle the M59 bucket fine and moving short distances for loader work I agree. Moving material longer distances, the over the ground speed of the M59 is faster.

Is 2700+ a problem? I don't see it as over redline on the tach.

Whatever works for you is what is important. I hate hearing the motor screaming at a constant RPM unless I NEED it to run a pto implement. The hydraulics are plenty fast for me at ~2k rpm.

I take it the Gehl is a single speed? A 2 speed skid steer is stupid fast.

ac

 

[workinallthetime]

i do not much care for the auto throttle either, im just not in that much hurry to get the job done around the house. for loader work and traveling i still perfer the ole reliable throttle lever. great machine just have to get used to the way she likes her belly rubbed.

 

[avc8130]

i do not much care for the auto throttle either, im just not in that much hurry to get the job done around the house. for loader work and traveling i still perfer the ole reliable throttle lever. great machine just have to get used to the way she likes her belly rubbed.

I don't really think the auto throttle makes it any faster ground speed, in fact it might even be the opposite quite often.

The reason I like the auto throttle is because the engine isn't always screaming. When I slow down or come to a stop, the engine is quietly idling along and when I want to take back off it picks up and moves. No need to reach behind me and adjust throttle.

To each his own, but I couldn't even fathom owning a machine without the auto throttle any more.

ac

 

[rScotty]

I feel the same way about the auto throttle on our M59; I like it a lot. In fact, back in 2008 when we bought this machine the main competion was the JD110....and I had trouble making up my mind which would work best on our place. The autothrottle was one of the things that sold me on the M59 at the time. It turned out to be the right decision for a number of reasons. Every day I use it I like that M59 better and better.

Isn't an autothrottle one of the advantages of buying commercial duty equipment? Load-sensitive autothrottles seem to be common on all on all the larger construction equipment.

I do turn off the auto throttle while it is warming up on cold mornings.
Sure do like that M59...rScotty

I don't really think the auto throttle makes it any faster ground speed, in fact it might even be the opposite quite often.

The reason I like the auto throttle is because the engine isn't always screaming. When I slow down or come to a stop, the engine is quietly idling along and when I want to take back off it picks up and moves. No need to reach behind me and adjust throttle.

To each his own, but I couldn't even fathom owning a machine without the auto throttle any more.

ac

 

[TBarD]

Hello all, New M59 Owner with a quick question. I am wondering if all is "right" with my new machine. In high midrange I can only get up to about 5-6 MPH. In H high I have to really lay into the throttle to get up to 12 MPH. I was just moving some dirt last night and found that I needed to shift into H to do my travel efficiently. In H it seems like reverse is almost faster than going forward. Is this normal for you all?
Thanks!

Yes it is normal. Max speed in H is 12-15 or so, but this only used on the road. Most work is done in M with hi/lo switching, auto or manual. I find this works well, even for things that require low range power, like filling the bucket and then moving to a dump spot, or grading.