Home Made Backhoe thumb

[GuglioLS]

Ive got a Bradco 3265 3 pt hitch Backhoe and made a "Thumb" for the bucket so that I can pick up heavy rocks, Logs, and any other stuff that needs to be picked up and moved.
The Backhoe has a 12" bucket & I have an 8" bucket for trenching. I used the 8" bucket for the Thumb and mounted it to the Backhoe with a couple of leaf springs salvaged from a 1959 cadillac and some 3-9/16" square "U" bolts. My neighbor helped me to mill out some metal for the mounts. I did not drill or weld the backhoe. The mounts can stay in place during normal operation. I can remove the bucket Thumb by pulling two 1" pins. I tried it out on a heavy rock and it works great.

 

[HomeBrew2]

That looks like a GREAT idea!!! Very ingenious! I can't quite make out your attachment hardware, could you kindly post a closeup?
Cheers!

 

[PineRidge]

Very interesting. I would like to see more pictures how it looks folded back out of the way in the non-working position.

Welcome to TBN!

 

[Henro]

Great idea, GuglioLS!

I have a 10" bucket just sitting there when I have my 16" on the backhoe... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Thanks for a great idea and most important, Welcome to TBN! ( I see this was your first post /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif )

Please do post more detailed photos if you can.

 

[GuglioLS]

I used a couple of leaf springs from an old car it had 1" diameter ends. Perfect for mounting the bucket that had 1" clevis pin mounting holes.
I have a question - How do I post multiple pictures to my posting?

 

[GuglioLS]

Here is another picture.
This one is of the Mount attached to the Backhoe.
The Thumb bucket is removed.

How do I attach multiple pictures? I am new to this site and don't have it quite figured out yet. Please forgive me if I am doing this wrong.

 

[Defective]

You're doing a perfect job of posting multiple pictures. The correct method is to post each one as a reply to your initial post.

 

[GuglioLS]

Backhoe Thumb mount closeup 1

 

[GuglioLS]

Backhoe Thumb The "Big Picture" (Whole thing) With some of my land and home in the background.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Thanks for the add'l. pix! Very cool job. Beautiful property too !
Cheers!