Added a Thumb

[George2615]

I finally ordered and received a Thumb for using on my bucket and forks. I bought it from Greensmachine. I got the 36" model but they have shorter ones. I also bought 2 thumb base plates. One for the forks and one for the bucket.
So, here's the pics over the past couple days.
1-9 Test fitting for best location.
10 - I had to cut out the fork back plate for thumb base plate location. Bought a piece of 3"x3" angle 3/8" thick to mount the base on. Cut it to length and fit it in place.
11 - Drilled 5/8" mount holes in the angle.
12 - Test fit thumb plate.
13-14 Welded in the angle to strengthen the upper section of the back plate back up.
14-18 Also added two vertical uprights where the Q.A. goes.
15-16 Welded using 1/8" 7018
19-21 Primed and painted.
22-26 Installed.
28 - Bolted the base plate on bucket after drilling the 5/8" holes. Thumb base plate bolts are 5/8" Grade 8 with nylon lock nuts.
29-32 Installed and tested.
Easy pin on set up. Just pull 3 pins, change from forks to bucket and pin back on.

Sorry but the pics are out of order. I uploaded them in order but they didn't post properly. Hovering your mouse pointer over the pic should show the pic number.

 

[nybirdman]

Nice job;I like mine.I welded a piece of angle on the top of the bucket so I could fully close.I use mine for brush mostly.
I also tacked the nuts on the bottom of the angle for easy removal/installation.
I also replaced the front "pin" with a bolt,I was forever loosing them.Good tool and cheaper/less weight than a full grapple.

 

[George2615]

I like the way it came out on my forks. But I think I will add a piece of 3" angle and some flat stock (Like pic attached) to the top of my bucket to change the thumb base plate mounting angle so the thumb will close more. I'll pick some up next week and make that change.

 

[nybirdman]

Yes ,being able to clamp tight is handy for logs,brush ,rocks ect.I angled mine pretty much the way you drew it.I have gotten pretty good with mine ,can pick up small rocks or big.Grabbed a big flat one that probably weighed 1000lbs and filled the bucket side to side.

 

[Underdog57]

I was thinking about mounting it on my forks with an angle so that I could get the arm up verticle so It would be out of the way when lifting a pallet, and the mounting plate on my forks would be lower (about 2" above the top of fork latches). What do you guys think? Will it work that way? It looks like I would have to angle it back a little farther than it is on the your bucket. Thanks, very nice work guys!:thumbsup:

 

[George2615]

I was thinking about mounting it on my forks with an angle so that I could get the arm up verticle so It would be out of the way when lifting a pallet, and the mounting plate on my forks would be lower (about 2" above the top of fork latches). What do you guys think? Will it work that way? It looks like I would have to angle it back a little farther than it is on the your bucket. Thanks, very nice work guys!:thumbsup:

How high is the material stacked on pallets you lift. The thumb will clear any pallet I lift with my fork. If not, I can unpin it and remove the thumb.

 

[George2615]

I changed the base plate mount for the bucket thumb.
I welded on a piece of angle to change the pitch angle of the thumb base plate. Drilled out the 5/8" holes and welded nuts underneath. Mounted the thumb and tested. Now it closes almost touching the bucket. Attached are before and after pics. I also drilled a couple more 1" adjustment holes in the thumb where the cylinder top attaches. Works much better now.

 

[nybirdman]

You will find that works well.I added a tooth-bar at the same time,great addition also.

 

[Marveltone]

I like the way it came out on my forks. But I think I will add a piece of 3" angle and some flat stock (Like pic attached) to the top of my bucket to change the thumb base plate mounting angle so the thumb will close more. I'll pick some up next week and make that change.

I had to make an elevated mounting bracket to get everything matched up the way I wanted. We stacked wood blocks to get everything lined up and matched up where we wanted. We then measured the height of our block stack, along with the angle, then started cutting and welding steel. I ended up with a perfect match at the tip of the grapple with the cutting edge, and a huge bite for picking up really big loads.

Joe

 

[George2615]

Nice job Joe. Looks like you got the 36" too. My main use of the thumb will be with my forks. Just thought why not buy a second base for the bucket. That gives me a dual purpose thumb.