Hello- looking for an M59, and wanted suggestions about warning signs or certain options to look for. I know I want aux hydraulics on the loader and backhoe (thumb, ideally), and I want to be able to run a top and tilt. If I find one without the options I want, can they readily be added later, or is it cost prohibitive? Also, are there any common problems I should look out for? Thanks all!
What to look for in an M59
- Thread starter moparrob
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Fallon
Super Member
You can always add extra hydraulics to pretty much anything, valves & plumbing aren't that hard.
Make sure proper maintenance & lubrication was done. Pins on loader & how should be well greased & tight.
Make sure proper maintenance & lubrication was done. Pins on loader & how should be well greased & tight.
rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 9,412
- Location
- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
You'll find an evening's worth of reading at this thread which started back when the M59 first came out:
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...6926-m59-discussion-thread.html?highlight=M59
Or just got to the Kubota Owning/Operating Forum, go to the "Search Forum" box on the right, enter M59, and select Search. Tons of info there.
One of the things you will see as you read though past discussions is that a few owners had an immediate problem back when they first came out with the BH boom cylinder. Kubota replaced them all under warranty - so that became a non-issue. Other than that, I've broken the control cable to my autothrottle and one thumb hose. Probably both my fault but they did break. A hundred dollar bill and a couple of hours took care of both problems. M59s have only been out for 10 years now, and in spite of the hard use that people put them through there haven't been any reports of problems that I've heard of....and I think I would have. Come to think of it, that's a pretty good endorsement all by itself.
Back to the M59, I got one of the first ones, and it is far from my first tractor..... so I've had the chance to examine it closely. Then we had a flood through our valley, so it got used hard for years. It's right now getting close to 1000 hours on it - mostly dirt&rock landscaping type of work. Two other people that I know locally also have M59s and we talk about them from time to time....one was bought new and one was bought from a rental place with high hours. None of us have had any particular problem that you should look for. The ex-rental is pretty well beat and with twice the hours as mine, but everything seems to sound the same and work the same. All of the M59s I've been on have the same Range Shift lever that is hard to shift, it helps to use the clutch. But you don't range shift all that much & the H/L HST is very smooth even under load. Honestly, I can't think of any weak spots. M59s are built heavily with lots of steel and even the paint holds up. But there again, 1000/2000 hours in 10years just isn't all that much wear on a commercial duty machine. You wouldn't expect any problems not related to abuse.
So with the only downside being outright abuse, I'd look for standard maintenance records, and try to buy from someone who used the machine himself on his own property as opposed to a rental or commercial machine. Some people load the tires; I don't think it is necessary in a machine this heavy and well balanced - but it hasn't seemed to hurt them. If you are going to use the 3pt a lot that means removing the backhoe - easy enough to do, but it unbalances the tractor unless the tires are loaded. One of the things I wish it had would be an air-suspended seat and upright exhaust. But those are simple to change if I really cared. As for options, you used to be able to price options for yourself using the "build it yourself" program on the Kubota Tractor website. Now you'll probably ought to ask the dealer unless someone reading this has a copy of the old options list?
The rule on options is to get as many as you can. Absolutely do get the thumb. I like the 24" bucket. And the 3 point kit. Those are necessities. I'd add to those the SSQA type FEL mounting and the QA backhoe bucket. Followed by front remotes. Everything else - like rear remotes - are standard Kubota add-on kits which can be added by you or the dealer. Of those I think the rear remotes are most expensive... but I haven't done so myself.
Let me know if I can help with specifics.
rScotty
I agree with everything rScotty and Fallon says and would just add to check all around and under for unusual damage or abuse.
Check the radiator and hydraulic oil cooler to see if it was regularly maintained/clean. Keep in mind the M59 hydraulics generate a lot of heat. And watch for the usual rodents nests, use of OEM filters, dates/hours written on the filters, condition of oils, slop in pins and bushings, broken/missing bolts+zerks, evidence of regular greasing, bucket cutting edges, bent stuff like buckets+hydraulic lines, loose wires, operating gauges and panel lights, paint peeling from stress cracks, ANYTHING that looks like it was welded by the owner(s), electrical taped hand twisted connections, anything with duct tape, blah blah blah.
Don't forget to make sure the 3PH equipment comes with the tractor these can be expensive to add on later.
I would look for a one owner unit and avoid rentals and machines that look like they were immersed in water (i.e. watch for mud in odd places like electrical fuse panels and connectors)
I rarely have to use 4WD because the machine has lots of weight and push, especially with the backhoe attached. I'd be surprised to see a machine with 4WD always engaged. 4WD and locking diff should shift/work smoothly and without excessive noise in both directions and driving serpentine. Raise the front wheels off the ground and in 2WD - you should be able to rotate the tires and turn the steering between stops freely and feel no skips or odd noises in the front diff.
Condition of rubber tires. Drive the machine in every gear in hi/low range.
Have the owner demonstrate complete backhoe removal, see that all the PTO and 3PH functions work properly. It should come off smoothly and without tools, hammers etc. Same with the front loader QA bucket.
I'm always suspicious of going to see a machine and finding the seller has it already running and/or idling when you arrive. I like to see where the owner stores their equipment and how well their property and other equipment is maintained. I avoid equipment that gets stored outside unprotected or under a tree somewhere. Remember that ALL rubber items and seals have a useful life and they degrade exponentially when left out in the elements.
In general I'd say that the Kubota's either run forever if cared for or are broken because of abuse. Run away from the latter ones.
Check the radiator and hydraulic oil cooler to see if it was regularly maintained/clean. Keep in mind the M59 hydraulics generate a lot of heat. And watch for the usual rodents nests, use of OEM filters, dates/hours written on the filters, condition of oils, slop in pins and bushings, broken/missing bolts+zerks, evidence of regular greasing, bucket cutting edges, bent stuff like buckets+hydraulic lines, loose wires, operating gauges and panel lights, paint peeling from stress cracks, ANYTHING that looks like it was welded by the owner(s), electrical taped hand twisted connections, anything with duct tape, blah blah blah.
Don't forget to make sure the 3PH equipment comes with the tractor these can be expensive to add on later.
I would look for a one owner unit and avoid rentals and machines that look like they were immersed in water (i.e. watch for mud in odd places like electrical fuse panels and connectors)
I rarely have to use 4WD because the machine has lots of weight and push, especially with the backhoe attached. I'd be surprised to see a machine with 4WD always engaged. 4WD and locking diff should shift/work smoothly and without excessive noise in both directions and driving serpentine. Raise the front wheels off the ground and in 2WD - you should be able to rotate the tires and turn the steering between stops freely and feel no skips or odd noises in the front diff.
Condition of rubber tires. Drive the machine in every gear in hi/low range.
Have the owner demonstrate complete backhoe removal, see that all the PTO and 3PH functions work properly. It should come off smoothly and without tools, hammers etc. Same with the front loader QA bucket.
I'm always suspicious of going to see a machine and finding the seller has it already running and/or idling when you arrive. I like to see where the owner stores their equipment and how well their property and other equipment is maintained. I avoid equipment that gets stored outside unprotected or under a tree somewhere. Remember that ALL rubber items and seals have a useful life and they degrade exponentially when left out in the elements.
In general I'd say that the Kubota's either run forever if cared for or are broken because of abuse. Run away from the latter ones.
Hersheyfarm
Veteran Member
I had one. I had 2 broken pins, one on loader and one on stabilizer. They broke clean in two at the hole drilled for the grease. They can be functional broke but if you don't catch them they will bend the ears of the mount. I would really emphasize looking at the weep hole on the clutch housing for any signs of oil. Thats a booger to fix. I also had a leaky manifold gasket, it makes a noise and robs power so maybe keep an eye on that. a tweety noise and black soot around the gasket is the signs to look for. I had both hydro pumps go out but hopefully that was isolated. Other than that just look for slop in joints and repair welds, hydro leaks.
Finally brought one home! Front hydraulics and thumb, but no 3 point hitch yet. I'm pretty happy with the machine and the price ($25k at 1400 hours), but I have a few parts to track down. The loader joystick is missing the switch to control the front aux valve. Not a big deal as I have yet to find any implements to control it with, but I'd like to have it whole. The paint is badly faded, so I'll try rubbing compound and wax before I buy any paint, and I need to find all the manuals for it, as it came with nothing. The seat is pretty wobbly, so I'll see if I can tighten up or shim the joints before buying another one. It also sounds as if there's an exhaust leak or loose valves as theres a slight ticking noise at certain rpms. The only significant leak I can find is from one of the thumb ram hoses, but that's an easy fix. Overall a solid machine and I can't wait to move some dirt with it. It's a giant leap from my Mahindra 3316, and it will take some getting used to, especially for the Mrs. Eventually I'll need to upgrade my barn door as it won't fit inside now; it's way too tall. Thanks to everyone for their input. I hope this is my last tractor!
rScotty
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2001
- Messages
- 9,412
- Location
- Rural mountains - Colorado
- Tractor
- Kubota M59, JD530, JD310SG. Restoring Yanmar YM165D
Well that's a great price and of all the accessories that the M59 can have, the one that really counts is the thumb. And you got that. So Congratulations.
There's enough little projects in your new tractor that maybe we can help you to tackle them one by one. The M59 group may not have had the exact same thing to deal with, but chances are someone has experience with most of it.
How many hours? How does it look overall? How about a photo?
good luck
rScotty
