Another backhoe thumb

[Corm]

Hi folks. I have a Cub Cadet 7260 with a C.C. 418 backhoe (7.5 foot digging depth). I've been wanting a thumb since I bought the hoe. Recently I bought some plans for one, and built one based loosely on the plans. This first picture (if I've attached a picture correctly) shows how I started making the 2 jaws`for it. It is 2 pieces of 3/8" x 4" tacked together, with a series of 1/2" holes drilled between them. This pitcure shows it set up on my milling machine table being drilled.

 

[Corm]

This next picture shows the jaw pieces taken apart, the ends cut and welded to give me the 'jaws'

 

[Corm]

This next picture show the frame of the thumb welded up. I ended up having to change this slightly to size it for my hoe, but essentially it is the same

 

[Corm]

...I had to try it out before painting it

 

[Corm]

These last two pictures show it with a fresh coat of paint

 

[Corm]

.... and the last one

 

[AntrimMan]

Nothing wrong with that.
Please show us a pic of the thumb folded too.
That's a real Bridgeport in the photo, you are lucky.

All the best,
Martin

 

[Corm]

Oops, one last one showing it in the transport position. This was a fun project. Total cost of steel was $65.00, and $10.50 for a can of spray paint. The three pins I turned down myself from an old vice leadscrew that I had.

Corm

 

[AntrimMan]

Wow, that's service. Thanks for the folded pic.
I'm gonna maybe get beat up a bit here but that thumb is right up my alley. I looked at the hydraulic thumb projects and don't get me wrong, thay are right slick and all, but I do think the manual model is more practical for me. A lot less involved and it gets the job done.
Nice job.

All the best,
Martin

 

[dfkrug]

Looks like a nice thumb.

I recognize the Woods 7500 backhoe. Note how thin the
dipper stick steel is (about 1/8"). Be careful that you
do not distort it when the bucket pinches hard against the
thumb....

The greatest danger is at the end of the dipper stick.

 

[Corm]

AntrimMan - I looked long and hard at making a hydraulic thumb. In the end I couldn't justify the considerable extra $$ for the limited use I'll give it here at home. If you think you want to do something similar, I can tell you where I bought the plans, and the modifications I made to them to fit my hoe.

Corm

 

[Corm]

dfkrug - Thanks for the words of caution. I have a friend that has a 3 pt mounted Woods 7500. He had a thumb put on it a couple of years ago, and hasn't had a problem after more use than I'll probably ever give mine.

Corm

 

[AntrimMan]

Very nice of you to offer. This kindness is what makes TBN such a pleasant experience.
There must be some chinese in me somewhere. All I need is the picture to knock off the thumb, (no offense to our asian friends).
Thanks for the offer,
Martin

 

[Mike_C]

Very nice, and very impressive. Thank you for sharing. As with other "really cool" projects, I plan to file your pictures away so if I ever want to build one I will have some ideas. Thanks.