Backhoe installation followup

[VTFireftr]

The thumb from Michigan Iron can be upgraded at a later date. The kit from Michigan Iron comes complete with everything needed to upgrade.

Since MI is a Kioti dealer, and they fabricate the thumb, I feel they know what will work on my tractor.

I'm hoping not to need the hydraulic kit, but if I do, I can upgrade at a later date. Hopefully for not too much money.

 

[Kay's Boy]

I purchased my CK27 with a Kioti KB2475 backhoe and manual thumb from Dave and Robbyat Upper Valley 3 years and 400+ hours ago. I coudn't be more pleased. As you said the service and quality of work is outstanding. I use the manual thumb often and each time I recall makeing the choice. Boy did I ever make the right choice when I bought the thumb!
Sometimes the best solution is right at home, give Dave and robby a call.

 

[Kay's Boy]

I purchased my CK27 with a Kioti KB2475 backhoe and manual thumb from Dave and Robbyat Upper Valley 3 years and 400+ hours ago. I coudn't be more pleased. As you said the service and quality of work is outstanding. I use the manual thumb often and each time I recall making the choice. Boy did I ever make the right choice when I bought the thumb!
Sometimes the best solution is right at home, give Dave and Robby a call.

John McHugh

 

[VTFireftr]

John,

What make is the thumb on your CK27?

And if you don't mind me asking, what did you pay for it?

Nothing against Upper Valley, but since the wife and I are headed out west, a stop at Michigan Iron really isn't out of the way, and we may be able to save some money by picking it up directly from them.

Marc

 

[Coyote machine]

To add to the fray- I'll offer my MIE backhoe thumb (manual type) for 2/3 of what I paid for it, complete.
You can come pick it up, probably in early Sept, since I'm away on va-ca right now; though possibly earlier if I return to VT sooner than expected.
It's from my DK-35se/hst with KB-2485, which I moved to my DK-40se/hst.
It's great BUT I've used it only a couple of times and it just sits on the hoe awaiting use. Since then I've purchased a LOT of other implements and really don't need the thumb anymore since I have a log grapple and winch, etc.
We've already PM'ed previously so you have an idea where I'm located- so if this is of interest let me know. This way you get a nearly new thumb from MIE without the 'new' price, and you can upgrade to hydraulic, ( I believe), later if you so choose.

 

[IslandTractor]

I'm late to this conversation but will give my two cents in favor of the hydraulic thumb. I have a factory mechanical thumb on my BH90x and it is next to worthless as a labor saving device. If it was hydraulic I believe I would use it quite a bit.

Think of using your hand without the flexibility of moving both fingers and thumb simultaneously. Having a mechanical thumb is like needing to manually adjust the position of your personal thumb each time you go to grasp something of a different size or shape. Especially for a delicate job like building a stone wall it would be tedious.

I pretty much don't use mine and just use the FEL mounted grapple instead for tasks that the thumb should be able to do. Adjusting the thumb when the BH bucket is deployed is no fun as you often need to straddle trenches or scramble in brush to reach it and it is a task requiring two hands and good balance. Someday I'll get around to converting mine but I don't have any real need for it immediately. If I were rebuilding a stone wall I'd do it before starting.

Despite my lack of enthusiasm for the mechanical thumb, I would agree with others who have worked with MIE: top notch and a pleasure to deal with. Just spring for the hydraulic version before you waste hours being limited by the mechanical one.

 

[VTFireftr]

Island,

Thanks for the input.

After reading these post and other internet searches, I'm not leaning more and more to hydraulic thumb for my CK30.

Hopefully MIE can work with me on the price.

I'll post back what I purchased and how it is working once the wife and i get back from vacation later this month.

marc

 

[BTF]

Well my Mechanical thumb ships today from MIE. I'm guessing after a few weeks I'll be ordering the hydraulic kit for it.

By then, I'm guessing VTFireftr will have a report on it that will convince me to do it.

Bruce

 

[Kay's Boy]

VTFireftr
There are no mfg markings on my mechanical thumb, just some caution warnings. It is 3/4" steel, can be set at two positions and was permanently welded to the dipperstick by Upper Valley. It is solid as a rock. When I bought my machine it added $500 to the total cost and as I said b4 I do not regret the decision. I find myself using it often and not just for rocks.
It is great for picking up a nice fire wood size tree and have the backhoe just hold it there so I can cut it.
To me the mechanical thumb was an inexpensive way to increase the usefullness of the most expensive accessory on my tractor, the backhoe.

John McHugh

 

[VTFireftr]

John,

Thanks for the reply.

Lisa (my wife) and I stopped by Upper Valley's new store (Swanzey, NH) on Saturday.

I talked with Dave and asked about a thumb. He said that he only sold weld-on thumbs. And his cost was considerably more than Michigan Iron's.

For several reasons I don't want a welded on thumb. Also I really don't want to have to trailer my tractor up to Enfield (100 miles one way) and lose the tractor for a week.

Dave has no problems with me buying from another dealer, and wished me luck. As did we on his new location.


Marc

 

[Coyote machine]

Going once, going twice, guess no one wants a barely used MIE brand mechanical BH thumb?
That's Ok, I guess I understand the need to go retail:confused2:
It's still available to anyone who may be interested....

 

[Kay's Boy]

Here is a picture of the mechanical thumb on it's first day and first rock.

 

[VTFireftr]

Looks good.

Picking mine up Tuesday.

Since I will be picking it up while heading out west on vacation, I can definitley wait to install it on the tractor and use the thumb. (Vacation will be over.)

I will post pix once the thumb is mounted.

Marc

 

[BTF]

Well, the MIE Thumb arrived Thursday and I got to installing it today. After a couple of hours of work I'd give it two thumbs up. (Pun intended).

My opinion is that a thumb shouldn't be an option but a standard part of a backhoe package. Now to the hydraulic vs manual debate. IF money is no object definitely go for the hydraulic. The convenience and time saving make it a worthwhile option. It will be on my short list of additions. That said, I got some real hefty rock moved that I couldn't do without the thumb. I can also see some finesse placement issues that would be facilitated with hydraulics so that's another argument for it.

In the mean time, I'm going to get stuff done that I needed to so I'm a happy camper.

Thanks to all who provided guidance.

Bruce

 

[VTFireftr]

UPDATE:

Got home from vacation on Friday - AMAZING trip! - and installed the thumb. Took about 2 hours total time for thumb and hydraulics.

Has a slight issue with the hydraulics. Called Joe at MIE on Saturday and we attempt to troubleshoot the issue over the phone. Joe diagnosed problem to be a bad quick connect fitting. I set the thumb for manual operation until the new fittings arrive.

Hurricane Irene decides to destroy my town on Sunday. As a memebr of the local fire department, everything else has to wait until we can make sure everyone and everything in town is secured. Luckily the wife and I have no damage to our house or vehicles.

On Wednesday, I finally get to work on the culverts on my road and play with the (manual) thumb. WOW! If picking rocks is this easy in manual, it's going to be even easier with hydrualics.

I finally go back to work on Thursday and Friday.

When I get home Friday afternoon, the box with the replacement quick connects is waiting there for me. It took me about 20 minutes to change couplers, and mount the hydraulic cylinder back on the backhoe.

The hydarulic thumbs ROCKS! - All puns intended!

Joe at MIE was super. It was a pleasure meeting Joe, his dad and mom, and their dogs.

I highly reccomend Michigan Iron and Equipment to everyone! Great people and customer service that can't be beat!

Now if I can just get my wife off the tractor for some seat time of my own.

Marc