Building a Thumb for excavator

[tylertown]

Hi I currently have an e35sr NewHolland mini excavator and I really like this machine small but very strong. I am wanting to go with a thumb on it now but I don't want to fool with a mechanical thumb I want hydraulic thumb but don't want to pay over a thousand dollars for one. im wanting to build one. I heard that the local tractor supply store has hydraulic cylinders for sale with varying sizes. want to make my own. any ideas? Thanks guys

 

[Dirthog]

Not hard to I took a mechanical one and just added a cylinder just remember though everything you hang out there decreases how much you can lift and changes the balance of the machine a bit.

 

[Degolyerent]

http://www.showtimefab.com/products.html#ag
I bought a hydraulic thumb for $750 for my Takeuchi 135, it was a exceptional buy! I got the lead from a equipment dealer in central FL.
John

 

[J_J]

Try here. I built one of his kits years ago. They are laser cut and shipped to you to weld.

CDP-Backhoe.com -Backhoe thumbs

CDP-Backhoe.com -back hoe thumbs kits

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...oe-thumb-experience-479614-bucket-closed2.jpg

 

[Degolyerent]

This is the Hydraulic thumb from Showtime Fabrications, it is built very heavy.
John

 

[tylertown]

Thanks very good information! lots of great options!

 

[J_J]

If you can use a CAD program, you can draw a thumb to fit your bucket. Put it on a thumb drive and take it to a steel mil where they will cut out the parts for you.

If you do it right, the parts will go together like a puzzle

Get an estimate first.

 

[CDN Farm Boy]

Do you already have aux boom hydraulics? If yes, that's a bonus. If not, then you'll have to figure out valve placement, hose routing etc also.

Can you find your same machine that has a thumb already and copy it? Easy enough to build, even easier if you can copy the geometry and sizing from an existing one

 

[Big Barn]

Can you find your same machine that has a thumb already and copy it? Easy enough to build, even easier if you can copy the geometry and sizing from an existing one[/QUOTE]

Good advice. This is always MY "plan A' or 'go to' plan.
Good luck and give us updates on your adventure.

Terry

 

[Buggs67]

If you can use a CAD program, you can draw a thumb to fit your bucket. Put it on a thumb drive and take it to a steel mil where they will cut out the parts for you.

If you do it right, the parts will go together like a puzzle

Get an estimate first.

This is what I was thinking. I don't know how to use a CAD but my engineer brother can. However he's busier than a one armed paper-hanger. If I do a good 3-view drawing it might work. I don't need an exceptionally big or strong one; just for occasional rock moving.

I may do a plywood mock-up first.