BX 23 Thumb questions

[ScottBX23]

For those of you who are using a thumb on your BX23 backhoe and are moving rocks:

* What is the largest rock you have been able to move - size and weight?

* Do you have any concerns or have had any problems about overstressing the BH/tractor and possibly bending the boom?

* Any clearance issues when you installed the thumb?

* Do you have any issues with general excavation with the backhoe and the thumb folded back?

* Are there warranty issues to consider before welding a thumb onto the tractor?


* Does anyone have a Gearmore GAT-50 thumb installed on a BX23?

Thanks.... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[HomeBrew2]

I'm on my second season using mine. Of the group of us that have BH thumbs, mine is the chepest, flimsyest and least sexy ... but, works as designed, ie, flawlessly /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

*1. Big enough to pull the front end clean off the ground, thus requiring an overfull bucket up front to balance. All tires pretty flat.

*2. Lots of concerns. None have been realized.

*3. Yes, had to grind a bolt head and nut to half thickness to clear bucket shackle.

*4. N/A Mine comes off as fast as anyone with a retractable thumb can retract theirs.

*5. I don't know and didn't want to find out the hard way.

Cheers!

 

[ScottBX23]

Thought I would add a picture of the rocks we will be using for the rock wall....

 

[ScottBX23]

another.....
(I suppose I'll be renting another hoe to move these /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

 

[escavader]

SCOTT
1. I could carry most of those in pic 1 with mine.Thats about max size ,any bigger i couldnt lift very high.
2.no concerns,i go very slow and easy,so not to jar the machine
3 absolutely no clearance issues,but it will take planning and thought
4.The thumb is not in the way at all when retracted,in fact it helps save on your dipper stick getting banged up when you try to pick up a rock by pinching it.The teeth help get a grip even when its retracted.
5.DONT care if it is a warrenty issue or not.It is an attachment i never will be without on my tractors again now i have used one.It improves the usefullness of the hoe 100%!
6.My thumbs homemade,butit was built as rugged as i possibly could[probably overkill] but hasnt bent a bit after carrying several hundred of the rocks the size in your pic.The 1 inch pins also still slide right in and out easily.Get yourself a nice rugged one.
ALAN

 

[woodster300]

1>The largest rock depends on how wide you can get your thumb and beable to grab the rock I have been able to pick up some 2 foot across stumps with a root from the bottom of the stump.

2> I dont believe you will have any problems with stress you can only pick-up what the hoe is designed for.

3>I have not had any clearance issues at all worst case I can just take out one 4" pin and the thumb is off the backhoe all that is left is a 3" X 4" bracket.

4>While useing the backhoe I dont have any probems digging with the thumb on the hoe the only thing that may happen is when the thumb is folded back you may not beable to pick up a larger rock and fold the bucket to the arm all the way.

5>Warranty issues do it at your own risk what else can you say on that.

6> I have a home made thumb that works great should have built it 2 years ago.

Hope this helps if you have any more question feel free to ask
Marc

 

[bird1968]

Hi Scott,

The BH will move all the rocks, that you took pics, around, but the BH/thumb will only lift (on mine around 600Lb) so much. Have a look at the pic. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The Thumb does save alot time!

Bird

 

[snal]

I haven't picked up any big rocks yet, but I've picked up some heavy logs. It seems to me that the hydraulics limit the lift weight enough to not worry about bending the arm.
I made my thumb, overkill I'm sure, but better than being made too weak. Mine uses sideplates that are "pinched" onto the arm with bolts, in such a way that it also uses the taper of the arm to prevent it from sliding even if the bolts worked loose. The blade and support arm are also bolted, but I plan to change to pins on those so they can be removed easily.
BTW...Chevy "engine orange" paint matches perfectly!
I picked up and moved a 16' section of 16" galvanized culvert last night....not too heavy...but I was amazed that I could move it thru a wooded area, and place it where I wanted it, by swinging the arm back and forth so it would clear the trees along the way.
I find that if I need to move the heavily loaded BH in any direction while underway, it's safer to stop the tractor to do so...shifting that kindof of weight can be spooky sitting still, and down right dangerous to try it while the tractor is moving.
For the type of work that I need to do, I'm finding out very quickly that the thumb is gonna be my most usefull attachment!

 

[BSF215]

Good Questions ScottBX23!!!

What companies out there have you found that make a thumb for the BX?

 

[ScottBX23]

BSF215:

I have not had good luck finding companies making thumbs or dealers knowledgeable about thumbs for sub-compact tractors (a few dealers hadn't a clue...thought I was talking about pumps!). Most manufactured thumbs are for larger machines.

Here is what I have found from tractorbynet and company search:

1. ebay has a few people selling small thumbs that look like they would work, similar to what some have made themselves here, and a good price - around $200.

2. My dealer wanted to sell me a nice setup from www.amulet.com - hoeclamp - for only $1,200-$2,000 and weighs only 120#!!! .... don't think so

3. www.cdp-backhoe.com in Canada ... have tried to call/email this company, so far without any success. But the thumb looks good and again is similar to what some people have done here.

4. www.attattachments.com - again have tried to contact the company without much success.

5. An interesting alternative might be the Rock JAW (www.rockjaw.com) but as noted in a post here it is also costly.

6. The Gearmore thumb is the closest commercial grade thumb I found available from a larger company. Gearmore will send you to a distributer ... I got shifted around to Washington (Rankin Company), then to Kansas (Price Brothers - www.pricebroseq.com), but found a distributor closer to me in New Mexico (Mesa Tractor).... Cost would be about $550 to ship to Colorado then I would have to have it welded on the boom. No return if it does not fit!
www.gearmore.com ... also at www.rankineqco.com

The people here at tractorbynet have been the best source of information and all so far have made their own ....

 

[escavader]

SCOTT,
I really think you ought to make your own.If you need help,or dont have the tools,a local machine shop,or welder can help.To get the perfect thumb thats right for you,takes design research[looking at others]and sizing it to suit your tractor.What would happen if you shelled out a couple hundred bucks and it didnt fit right...you would probably want to modify it...so you might just as well design it yourself.
If you read my post twiddling my thumb,in the build it yourself,you would see it took planning,start with making some cardboard cut outs,when you got them perfected,go see a welder,or show a friend your design,then decide on the best way to fabricate it.You will be much prouder of a great working thumb you designed,rather than one that is combersome or that bends under the strain of those big rocks.Make it strong and bullet proof to match the rest of your KUBOTA.A heavy duty thumb might weigh a few pounds more,but whats a few pounds if it takes the punishment.
Be careful when hauling them rocks,like the man said it gets spooky....GO SLOW AND USE YOUR HEAD,ITS ALOT OF TAIL WEIGHT.
ALAN