Backhoe Want a backhoe thumb for reasonable $$

[Coyote machine]

I have seen that TBN members have bought several brands of backhoe thumbs, in the past. I would like to know if anyone has a thumb on the same model backhoe as mine: KB-2485 on a DK 35se/hst? If so, what brand, model, cost etc.
From what I've seen so far, there is Wallenstein, Rankin and Bro-Tek, to name a few.
Having trouble contacting Rankin direct; have read that the Wallenstein's had slippage problems (probably been addressed by now?). Have contacted Bro-Tek, he wants pics and dipper stick measurements to make me a semi-custom thumb?
Any input would be appreciated....

Thanks

 

[irvingj]

In my dealings with Bro-Tek, if he says he'll make it and make it work, he will. Massey-Ferguson went through a slight change in the dimensions of the late-model 2310's dipper arm which resulted in some problems with the fit... Bro-Tek was with me all the way to get it resolved.

 

[MarkV]

Isn't the Bro-Tek thumb designed to bolt on to a sub compact backhoe? I would think a backhoe designed for a 35 hp tractor would be a bit much for that thumb.

MarkV

 

[jetwoz]

Bro-Tec was easy to deal with. Installed a Bro-Tec on my GC2310 MF. Lessons learned. When using thumb MAKE sure you have some weight in the your loader . The install required some grinding to keep the thumb from binding up. I was picking up around 500 lbs with the BH which is quite a bit more then a bucket of dirt. Didn't think much about the weight until it wouldn't come off the ground without weight in the loader. Now I'm a little concerned about how much stress the attaching points and frame are taking so I'm trying to keep the traveling with a heavy thumb load down to a minium.

 

[Coyote machine]

Bro-Tec was easy to deal with. Installed a Bro-Tec on my GC2310 MF. Lessons learned. When using thumb MAKE sure you have some weight in the your loader . The install required some grinding to keep the thumb from binding up. I was picking up around 500 lbs with the BH which is quite a bit more then a bucket of dirt. Didn't think much about the weight until it wouldn't come off the ground without weight in the loader. Now I'm a little concerned about how much stress the attaching points and frame are taking so I'm trying to keep the traveling with a heavy thumb load down to a minium.

Could you further describe the 'binding up' you refer to? Isn't the thumb put into a stationery position with fine tuning via the top link? Where would it bind up, and do you guys mostly leave the thumb on the boom and just remove the top link to allow it to fold the thumb back under the boom for storage/transport?

 

[Lloyd_E]

I have a bro-tech. It's mounted on my 2485 as per instructions.
The teeth on the unit are a little crude and it looks small... but it works.
Depending on the angle of the tooth bar - sometimes the bucket will close and bind.

I leave it on the unit and carry pins in the cab. It took about 5-10 minutes to set up.

Works great on ripping and tearing alders.

Lloyd

 

[Coyote machine]

I have a bro-tech. It's mounted on my 2485 as per instructions.
The teeth on the unit are a little crude and it looks small... but it works.
Depending on the angle of the tooth bar - sometimes the bucket will close and bind.

I leave it on the unit and carry pins in the cab. It took about 5-10 minutes to set up.

Works great on ripping and tearing alders.

Lloyd

Thanks for the info...
Would you mind telling me when you purchased it and what you paid for it in US $ if possible? And what year is your KB-2485? Maybe I can save some time by having Bro-tek make mine to same dimensions as yours?

{also what sander & chipper model/make do you have?}

My wife and I had our honeymoon in Nova Scotia- beautiful part of Canada. My dad's family is from St. Andrews, NB. Been there once- also a great part of the planet...

Have a good day, eh?!

 

[Lloyd_E]

Tractor and BH were purchased last summer new.

The thump was purchased about two months ago.

It was $400 Canadian plus tax and shipping $491.55 total. I think you gain about 10 cents on our dollar... maybe a little more. You will pay around $442.39+/- a bit.

The chipper is a wallenstein bx42 - 4" and the sander is a Farmco I think. Will check for you.

Now If I only new local Vermont vernacular I could say something witty!

Good luck with the thumb...

 

[MichiganIron]

We have bolt-on Backhoe Thumbs for all of the KIOTI Backhoes, and others.

We have both manual and hydraulic thumbs.

Send me a PM, or go to Michigan Iron & Equipment: Kioti Dealer. We can give you the cost, pictures, and any specifications you want.

 

[JoelD]

Backhoe Thumb - TractorByNet.com

Here is my recent thread on the subject.

Thumb is from Steel tec Inc.

Heavy Built and I like it.

I should've gotten the 22", but the 16 works fine for me, picks up big rocks and trees no problem.

Great to have a thumb again.

The price was excellent.

Joel

 

[irvingj]

Coyote- here's some pics of the Bro-Tek thumb. As pointed out, there are numerous choices.

 

[tinman955]

Looks good, gotta get me one.

 

[Coyote machine]

Thanks to all for the replies, suggestions, pictures etc. I have decided upon a manual thumb made by Michigan Iron & Equipment. It is CNC cut from, and I quote, Bob from the MIE 'store', "The Thumb is CNC plasma cut from 1/2" A36 (1015) steel. The hardening of the teeth is from the heat and quenching during the plasma cutting operation. We don't want the entire thumb to be brittle, so we don't do any further hardening".

It looks like a super rig, and if I'd wanted to spend the extra $ for a hydraulic thumb they can sell me a kit to do so.
It is reasonably priced for what it is, and from the attached pic looks excellent in quality - IMHO.

Any thoughts or comments are appreciated.....

Thanks to all for your help....

 

[Artful Dodger]

Man, it looks great! I've been looking at a Kioti, with BH, same as yours; and I was also wanting a thumb. Could you give me a price on that, shipping and all? Also - what would the hydraulic have cost?
Also, while I'm at it, how do you like your Tractor, FEL, and Backhoe? I may end up with the same exact rig, thumb and all. And by the way, I like your thumb better than the Bro Tec. Just my own preference; but I think it goes better with the color of the bucket.

 

[Coyote machine]

Man, it looks great! I've been looking at a Kioti, with BH, same as yours; and I was also wanting a thumb. Could you give me a price on that, shipping and all? Also - what would the hydraulic have cost?
Also, while I'm at it, how do you like your Tractor, FEL, and Backhoe? I may end up with the same exact rig, thumb and all. And by the way, I like your thumb better than the Bro Tec. Just my own preference; but I think it goes better with the color of the bucket.

I would tell you to contact Bob at Michigan Equipment & Iron,
(Refer back to earlier part of this thread- tell him I sent you- they're starting a production run of thumbs next week- just sold the last one in stock..) Price is excellent- <$300 complete. Another few hundred +/- $275 or so for the hydraulic version- {assuming you have DUAL rear remotes, or it will cost more to have a second set and second lever to control 'c' & 'd' circuit}.
Bro-Tec would have been over $400 and more with shipping, and I had to send pics and a bunch of measurements and wait a couple of weeks -(possibly sooner).
Both are good, I'm sure but I like the one in my pic, not because of color- because of CNC & plasma cutting and shape/length of thumb and number of teeth, etc.
The Kioti I have with BH, FEl and Pallet forks- haven't tried chipper yet, is GREAT! 45 hours on it since end of April and MANY more to come soon as I can get my thumbs on a hand?! I mean my hands on a thumb!!
DK35 with hst is perfect for me. Only complaint I have is stupid plastic turn signal switch lever is in the way of my knee- my knee won the battle getting off the tractor and some Gorilla glue will probably glue it back on numerous times over the years~ PP design

 

[jimmyj]

I get a hydraulic thumb but how does a manual thumb work?

 

[Coyote machine]

I get a hydraulic thumb but how does a manual thumb work?

Manually?!

It is referred to as a manual thumb to differentiate from a hydraulically operated one like would usually be found on an excavator. And some manual thumbs have a stationery position that is set by a pin while the one I'm getting has somewhat infinitely adjustable settings with the 'top link' supplied with the thumb.
Take a closer look at the picture I posted earlier and it should help answer your question...

 

[jimmyj]

Ahhhh. I think I get it. Manual thumbs then are stationary unless you adjust the top link and rely on the curl of the bucket.

Got it.