Thumb Anyone sorry for adding a Thumb to BH?

[Gale Hawkins]

I have our 1983 JD 310B BH at the welding shop for repair on both buckets.

Not being to do serious welding I was thinking about mounting a thumb with very heavy U bolts. While it is a 60 HP engine the old machine has weakened over the years and has loose pins.

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I think the above will work for my 24" wide bucket that I marked as a possible solution option

They will cut the backing plate to the size I request so I could use a U bolt at each end. Welding if it did not hurt anything would be more simple when looking at the HP/loads i would be trying to pick up.

If it is welded on I could not pull it off too easy. With my physical limitations I am sure I would be using it all of the time however.

Any regrets to mounting a thumb by anyone?

 

[bobsphotos]

I converted my Woods manual thumb to Hydraulic and cannot imagine being without it.

 

[jlsmith]

Looks like it would be a great attachment. Not a bad price either.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I converted my Woods manual thumb to Hydraulic and cannot imagine being without it.

That sounds nice but not sure how could tap/control another cylinder on the old dedicated BH.

 

[newbury]

Thumbs up for thumbs!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Gale Hawkins]

8"x32" Mechanical Thumb for Mini Excavator Backhoe USA | eBay

Same link as above but hoping for a more clear description.

While I am interested in a hydraulic version I am leaning to converting this one later if I find a need.

I will update you after I try it. The new FEL replaceable cutting blade is to be in next week per the tractor parts place locally and the welder said he could mount the thumb while it was in the shop. Since that is an hour each way trip (10 miles) I went ahead and ordered the above thumb today.

NOTE: They now have make an offer or Buy It Now for $360 plus the $75 shipping. The Make An Offer is automated and gives you three times to try. It rejected $325, $335 and accepted $345 offer so I saved $15 so net cost was $420 to the door by UPS ground. What is their lowest price? In my case I learned it was >$335 and = or < $345.

Thanks for each reply.

 

[VTFireftr]

I put a hydraulic thumb on my Kioti last summer. Bought the complete kit from Michigan Iron and Equipment. No welding was required for the install, and all the hoses and fittings were included with the kit.

Works better than advertised!

If I ever get another backhoe, I will add a hydraulic thumb.

Marc

 

[Gale Hawkins]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B29EZNpGCcU&feature=endscreen&NR=1]EquipAll GrappleHoe Backhoe Attachment - YouTube[/ame]

In learning more about using/mounting thumbs I ran across the coolest thumb yet. Which I had a skid steer some days.
:licking:

 

[two_bit_score]

I can't imagine any reason to not want a thumb on a BH or EX.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv6MgODqMZc&feature=related]The Red Green Show - Cadilac Backhoe - YouTube[/ame]

Sorry but it was the first time I had seen this BH show.