I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb

   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb #1  

GeneV

Elite Member
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
3,015
Location
Lake County, IL
Tractor
Bradley 48" stander MF GC1710
Finally decided to do something about my debilitating BOD condition. Of course I'm referring to bucket overbite disorder, so embarrassing!

I'm not quite done with it yet, I got to clean up these ugly welds (I suck at welding), and weld some more in some areas. And then I got a big field test for it. If it aces the test, I'll clean it up some more, throw some paint on there, good to go.


PXL_20220730_233018023.jpg PXL_20220730_232944544.jpg
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb
  • Thread Starter
#2  
The field test will be dragging this tree out of the pond, in pieces.


PXL_20220723_150600012.jpg
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb #3  
Looks good, and you've set us up for action shots, please don't disappoint. 😂
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb #4  
Finally decided to do something about my debilitating BOD condition. Of course I'm referring to bucket overbite disorder, so embarrassing!

I'm not quite done with it yet, I got to clean up these ugly welds (I suck at welding), and weld some more in some areas. And then I got a big field test for it. If it aces the test, I'll clean it up some more, throw some paint on there, good to go.


View attachment 756404 View attachment 756403
I did the same very usef ul mods to my mini X also, I added 2-7” fanges for picking up rocks closer to my mini.
 

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   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb
  • Thread Starter
#6  
I did the same very usef ul mods to my mini X also, I added 2-7” fanges for picking up rocks closer to my mini.
Why is it that every mechanical thumb I see on the market is so short? At least the ones for scuts/cuts.
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb #7  
Gene looks good , mini jurassic park ! ....
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Vid of the build...


 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb #9  
At least the ones for scuts/cuts.
Possibly because a lot of buckets already almost touch the main boom arm when the dipper is fully tucked in, and if you pivot a thumb off a point higher up than the bucket, it needs to be even shorter than that to avoid it running into the boom arm by accident.

Now, even if that is the reason, in my opinion it's not a huge deal to accidentally put some scrapes on your boom arm. I'd rather have the extra 'reach' on the thumb and just remember not to pry my machine against itself too much.
 
   / I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Here's me testing it out. Man, this thumb absolutely rocks now! 🤘🤘🤘


 

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