Backhoe thumbs

Taylortractornut · Jun 29, 2003

A few days ago i was out in the shop messing with my Pattern burner when i got a call from a grey market dealer. He wanted a thumb built for a mini excavator and one built for a woods backhoe. I made the pattern from wire got the material and let loose with the bottled fire. I made them both in a little under 4 hours from the time i lit the torch to the time i made the last weld. Now im starting to think about building a few to sell to others. I was wondering is anyone here has a factory made thumb and what size and price range it was in. The dealer said his customers were happy with these two but i didnt ask what he charged them for it.
He also wants me to build a grubber rake for a mini excavator to.

GAF · Jun 30, 2003

Here is a site that has "Thumb Kits". Might give you some good specs / info on thumbs.

http://cdp-backhoe.com/

Do you have any pics of what you made that you could post.

I'm pretty new at all this; but, trying to get a cut off stump out of the hole that it's in will make you think a thumb would be a good idea.

GAF

Taylortractornut · Jun 30, 2003

MIne has a little bit more curve thatn the thumbs pictured. THumbs are handy one a hoe to get out sumps if there bon big enough machines, hen i started destumping the hillsde here when i was 18 if the sump was a pine that had a 7 foot tapp root and 40 inch stump Id have trouble with my Ford hoe getting them out. Id rke them to one side of the hole and fill behind it. THen push it ontop of the backfilled spot. then fill that corner a bit higher and drag the stump there and repeat till it was on top of the ground.
I dont have any pictures of the thumbs i built because of the short notice i had on building and intalling them. THey look alot better than the ones they sell that a local man cuts out one at a time by hand. in If youll look up thumbs I have a few pics posted of on i built for my Ford. Its made from 1 by 2 barstock.

rockyridgefarm · Jun 30, 2003

Let me know a price, and post a pic if you can....

Rowski · Jul 6, 2003

This picture is a thumb from Attachment Sales.

Here is a close up picture of the thumb on my Backhoe

Mine was $550 delivered.

Do you have any pictures of your thumb?

Taylortractornut · Jul 6, 2003

Derek Your thumb looks very similar to the one i made recently. The customer had a straight edge thumb built for the excavator, and a curved edge one for his compact like yours. I havent seen them since i put them on but the dealer told me the customer was very happy that i took the measurements to fit each machine rather than make it to fit several and compromise the fit. I started building a new form today after i saw a few mistakes i made in the old one. What thickness metal is your thumb made out of. I never have made alot of things for a CUT. I appreciate the picture of your thumb many thanks again. Taylor Lambert