Buying Advice Used M59 what to look for

[lotsokids]

Hi, I am a newbie when it comes to tractor but have gleaned a lot from these forums and think a used m59 is what I am looking for. Have a 2/3 woods and 1/3rd pasture, building a barndominium, a lot of trenching to bring electric and other utilities to build site. Want backhoe with thumb for trees as well. Couple of questions if you don't mind:

1) What options should I look for in an M59 TLB? I started off assuming if that main difference was with or without backhoewhen looking at used tractors, but just found out that a 3 piont hitch is not standard, thumbs are hard to find. I looked at the configure web page for new m59 (out of my price range) and 1/2 the options I don't know if I would need or not. Or options that if not included are really expensive to add later. Like kubota thumb looks like it might be $4K including controls???

2) What kind of hours or potential wear points should I be wary of in evaluating a used m59? Any reputable inspection services? I realize you can't make me a tractor expert but a few tips would be appreciated.

Thanks again!

 

[rScotty]

Well, I think an M59 is an excellent choice. But take that with a grain of salt because I own one.

You're in luck for learning about that model because here on TBN there is a longtime thread containing what is - IMHO - probably the most information available anywhere about the M59. It's the "M59 Discussion Thread" which was started next door in the "Kubota Owning and Operating" forum. It spans from when the model first came out right up until recently. A lot of owners have contributed to it since.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...6926-m59-discussion-thread.html?highlight=M59

But you may not be so lucky on finding a new one to buy in the US....It might be worth looking at Canada. It appears that since the motor emisssions exemption for the M59 in the US has expired that Kubota may not be making them until it is re-powered. That's just a guess...and you might want to check with a dealer. Also, around here it is it is rare for a used M59 to come onto the market.

On your questions...Yes, you are right on what you are seeing. Options can really raise the price. You absolutely must get the thumb. Just do it. And you want the 3 point kit because even if you never use it that kit is the sort of thing that this sort of tractor ought to have available. And it is just the sort of thing that might not be available in the future. Other than that, I'd want some form of either front or rear remote hydraulics, a block heater, and the two foot BH bucket.

I'm not aware of any particular wear points. There has to be some, but then any used ones are still young, with most small to medium size property owners are only now getting close to 1000/1500 hours. For a machine in Kubota's "M" lineup of heavier duty equipment this isn't many hours so not surprising they don't show much wear yet.
On the tractor generally, if I was looking I'd want to listen to it start up from cold on a cool morning and be expecting it to fire right off and not make ugly hydraulic sounds - or at least for the noises to go away as it warmed up. Then I'd let it warm up, run through the controls and take it for a spin down the road....listening for unusual sounds all the while. Your best help with that would be to find a local M59 or TLB owner who could go with you.
Front end loaders don't wear much at all in 1000 hours even if used hard. Backhoes don't break, but they do get loose and sloppy at the joints. Assuming good lube practice, some things that contribute to loosening hoes are "side-sweeping", using the hoe in rocky soil, and doing either of these at extreme reach. Hoes can be tightened up, but people hardly ever do that because even a sloppy hoe isn't the end of the world. It won't break, and even a sloppy hoe beats the heck out of a whole football team with shovels and buckets.

The M59 is an unusual tractor. Extremely well made and to industrial rather than to homeowner standards. Surprising power and lift. It has excellent balance - and all this in a size where nothing else exists at all. The whole Kubota TLB lineup might be destined to be classics.
Good luck with your search,
rScotty

 

[lotsokids]

Well, I think an M59 is an excellent choice. But take that with a grain of salt because I own one.

You're in luck for learning about that model because here on TBN there is a longtime thread containing what is - IMHO - probably the most information available anywhere about the M59. It's the "M59 Discussion Thread" which was started next door in the "Kubota Owning and Operating" forum. It spans from when the model first came out right up until recently. A lot of owners have contributed to it since.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...6926-m59-discussion-thread.html?highlight=M59

But you may not be so lucky on finding a new one to buy in the US....It might be worth looking at Canada. It appears that since the motor emisssions exemption for the M59 in the US has expired that Kubota may not be making them until it is re-powered. That's just a guess...and you might want to check with a dealer. Also, around here it is it is rare for a used M59 to come onto the market.

On your questions...Yes, you are right on what you are seeing. Options can really raise the price. You absolutely must get the thumb. Just do it. And you want the 3 point kit because even if you never use it that kit is the sort of thing that this sort of tractor ought to have available. And it is just the sort of thing that might not be available in the future. Other than that, I'd want some form of either front or rear remote hydraulics, a block heater, and the two foot BH bucket.

I'm not aware of any particular wear points. There has to be some, but then any used ones are still young, with most small to medium size property owners are only now getting close to 1000/1500 hours. For a machine in Kubota's "M" lineup of heavier duty equipment this isn't many hours so not surprising they don't show much wear yet.
On the tractor generally, if I was looking I'd want to listen to it start up from cold on a cool morning and be expecting it to fire right off and not make ugly hydraulic sounds - or at least for the noises to go away as it warmed up. Then I'd let it warm up, run through the controls and take it for a spin down the road....listening for unusual sounds all the while. Your best help with that would be to find a local M59 or TLB owner who could go with you.
Front end loaders don't wear much at all in 1000 hours even if used hard. Backhoes don't break, but they do get loose and sloppy at the joints. Assuming good lube practice, some things that contribute to loosening hoes are "side-sweeping", using the hoe in rocky soil, and doing either of these at extreme reach. Hoes can be tightened up, but people hardly ever do that because even a sloppy hoe isn't the end of the world. It won't break, and even a sloppy hoe beats the heck out of a whole football team with shovels and buckets.

The M59 is an unusual tractor. Extremely well made and to industrial rather than to homeowner standards. Surprising power and lift. It has excellent balance - and all this in a size where nothing else exists at all. The whole Kubota TLB lineup might be destined to be classics.
Good luck with your search,
rScotty

Thanks so much, that is just the kind of information I was looking for!:thumbsup:

 

[FatTire]

rScotty- When you say start cold on a cold morning, how do the glow plugs work on the M59? Completely manual, or "semi-automatic"?

I agree, get the 3 point whether or not you think you will need it. You will. And I'd lean toward two remotes if possible, and "none" would be a mistake! I have a hydraulic thumb on a smaller BH92, I wouldn't even want the BH without the thumb, for the stuff I do. Good luck with your search.

 

[rScotty]

Yes, I got the three point kit thinking I'd use it a lot. I haven't; but still glad I got it. There was a fairly generous standard option kit that came with the first year M59s that had been pre-ordered by dealers. So the 3 pt. kit came along with those M59s whether wanted or not! Mine was one of those. It hasn't seen any use because we have a good Cat II 3 pt. on another tractor.
On cool mornings when I turn the ignition key one click clockwise there's a temp. sensor that looks at water temperature & decides whether to power the glow plugs. If powered, the intellipanel displays an orange (glowing?) picture of a single loop of wire in the lower LH corner. After awhile - varies from 5 to 15 seconds - there's an audible click from a relay somewhere forward simultaneous with the glow plug indicator on the panel disappearing.
That's when I go ahead and rotate the ignition key over to crank the motor.

If it's cold out I've probably already been running the block heater a few hours. That warns the water up enough so that the glow plugs don't even come on.
luck, rScotty

 

[beckmurph]

As of right now, there are 2 threads on M59's, right next to each other.
One selling and the other buying.
Y'all need to talk to each other.:laughing:

 

[dsgsr]

I would sell mine if I could get 48K for it, just a little over 600hrs. I want an mini Excavator, I need that 360 degree movement.

David

 

[varmint]

Yes, I got the three point kit thinking I'd use it a lot. I haven't; but still glad I got it. There was a fairly generous standard option kit that came with the first year M59s that had been pre-ordered by dealers. So the 3 pt. kit came along with those M59s whether wanted or not! Mine was one of those. It hasn't seen any use because we have a good Cat II 3 pt. on another tractor.
On cool mornings when I turn the ignition key one click clockwise there's a temp. sensor that looks at water temperature & decides whether to power the glow plugs. If powered, the intellipanel displays an orange (glowing?) picture of a single loop of wire in the lower LH corner. After awhile - varies from 5 to 15 seconds - there's an audible click from a relay somewhere forward simultaneous with the glow plug indicator on the panel disappearing.
That's when I go ahead and rotate the ignition key over to crank the motor.

If it's cold out I've probably already been running the block heater a few hours. That warns the water up enough so that the glow plugs don't even come on.
luck, rScotty

Seems like my old Grand L 3130 had something of the same feature- it determined whether glow plugs were needed or not, and started nicely under pretty much all temperature conditions.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
The M59 is an unusual tractor. Extremely well made and to industrial rather than to homeowner standards. Surprising power and lift. It has excellent balance - and all this in a size where nothing else exists at all. The whole Kubota TLB lineup might be destined to be classics.
Good luck with your search,
rScotty

The M59 was one of the tractors I was "hunting" for before I got my M4700. It's weight is ideal for non CDL driving. It has a pretty good weight/backhoe combo.

Since the OP has decided new is too rich for his blood, some things to look for:
Was it a rental? This may not be disclosed.
Was it used in a business? This may not be disclosed.

Try to look for a private party Harry homeowner type owner if you can. When I was looking they would pop up on CL and tractorhouse on occasion. Generally with an asking price of several thousand more, but also a thousand or so less hours.

Buying used - LOOK for one w/ 3pt equipment, but that can be had from Kubota for a dear price.
Look for extra rear remotes, but they also can be added.
Definitely try for a hydraulic thumb

Get a hydraulic pressure test kit to check the hydraulic pressure.

Options to hope for would be a grapple, pallet forks.

But if you get a GOOD M59 it's easier to add 3pt, remotes, etc. than to rebuild a rental engine that had been gassed.

And OP - Where is "Mongomery" Alabama?

Good luck and I'm jealous already

 

[lotsokids]

Thanks so much for the helpful information. That makes me a little nervous as it is I can only take people at their word as how the machine was used and don't have enough experience to recognize if it has been used and abused or not unless some obvious defects. All the machines I have found are under range from 700-1500 hours ish, supposedly all privately used. Any thoughts on an older unit with less hours vs a few years newer unit with 1500ish? Anything substantially different between model years that I should be aware of? or all low enough hours that it really depends on condition? Newbury, I am in Montgomery, TX.