Bolt on Bucket Grapple

[Walkin Horse]

If you buy the thumb,you better be prepared to fabricate and weld. I put one on my tractor. I used a 6x6x1/2" angle to reinforce the bucket and to mount the thumb. Part of the mounting is deciding where you want the points of your claw to hit your bucket. I changed my mounting several times and added on to the points with some scrap steel.
Then you need to learn to use it without seeing through the bucket. Imagine picking up a big dowel rod with needle nose pliers or scissors. Then under no circumstances should try to back drag with the thumb. You will really hate what that does. Then once you get the hang of it and really start using it,that's when those cheap mig welds start popping like buttons on a fat mans shirt. I rebuilt mine with 3" tubing and 7018 welding rod.

 

[Big Chief]

If you buy the thumb,you better be prepared to fabricate and weld. I put one on my tractor. I used a 6x6x1/2" angle to reinforce the bucket and to mount the thumb. Part of the mounting is deciding where you want the points of your claw to hit your bucket. I changed my mounting several times and added on to the points with some scrap steel.
Then you need to learn to use it without seeing through the bucket. Imagine picking up a big dowel rod with needle nose pliers or scissors. Then under no circumstances should try to back drag with the thumb. You will really hate what that does. Then once you get the hang of it and really start using it,that's when those cheap mig welds start popping like buttons on a fat mans shirt. I rebuilt mine with 3" tubing and 7018 welding rod.

not sure what this means...my thumb has picked up huge boulders, 14 foot telephone poles and never had a prob.

I did add piece of angle iron to the top of the bucket

Back draging? The thumb is on top, please explain....
Popping welds? What are you doing? Maybe you need a bigger grapple. Got pics?

 

[Walkin Horse]

I broke the welds on each side. It was dangling by the cylinder. Got it back to the shop and lined it up and rewelded. Next I broke the tubing where the cylinder rod is connected. Replaced that with 3" tube and welded some gussets in the corner. I opened the grapple wide open rolled the bucket all way down until the grapple was in the dirt. Then started back dragging some small debri. It brought the thumb past the geometrical magical point of no return. Then you have to pull the pin and let the thumb slam closed,extend the cylinder, and find that spot where it will reconnect. I welded stops on mine after doing it two or three times. I heard they have adjustable stops that go on the cylinder to keep from retracting it to far. When I changed the tubing support I must have changed the geometry enough that I didn't have that problem and it didn't hit the stops anymore. I still recommend you don't back drag with it.

 

[shooterdon]

If you buy the thumb,you better be prepared to fabricate and weld. I put one on my tractor. I used a 6x6x1/2" angle to reinforce the bucket and to mount the thumb. Part of the mounting is deciding where you want the points of your claw to hit your bucket. I changed my mounting several times and added on to the points with some scrap steel.
Then you need to learn to use it without seeing through the bucket. Imagine picking up a big dowel rod with needle nose pliers or scissors. Then under no circumstances should try to back drag with the thumb. You will really hate what that does. Then once you get the hang of it and really start using it,that's when those cheap mig welds start popping like buttons on a fat mans shirt. I rebuilt mine with 3" tubing and 7018 welding rod.

If I could fabricate and weld, I would build one....but I am not able to do either.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I have a picture that shows mine mounted but I have no idea how to post it from my iPad.

 

[Big Chief]

The purpose of the thumb is to grab or squeeze stuff and hold it it in the bucket. It seems your using it as a claw similar to the bucket of a back hoe which its not designed for.


I give the green machines thums 2 thumbs up....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[galstaf]

The purpose of the thumb is to grab or squeeze stuff and hold it it in the bucket. It seems your using it as a claw similar to the bucket of a back hoe which its not designed for.


I give the green machines thums 2 thumbs up....:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Quick question: Approximately how much did your thumb weigh (and what size was that?)

Thanks!

 

[Big Chief]

Not sure about weight. Green machines has a website which should have that info. I think I have the 20 inch thumb

I welded mine to the top of the angle iron which is welded to the top of the bucket.

The thumb can be bolted to the top of bucket and comes with pre drilled holes.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Quick question: Approximately how much did your thumb weigh (and what size was that?)

Thanks!

I just finished having the Thumb mounted on my pallet forks.
It is the 36 inch model and I figure the whole shebang with Thumb and mount weighs about 100 lbs.
Since the forks weigh a lot less than the 1 yard bucket on my M, I actual get more lifting capability with this set up.