New Thumb

Underdog57 · May 26, 2014

altamaha said:
If you are modifying to make it act more like a grapple, then why not purchase a grapple? Then you could allow the grapple to remain stationary as if it were a thumb or retract and close as a grapple... just wondering.

Because I already have a set of pallet forks and I use them a lot. If I had a thumb on the forks it would do everything I need it to do at a reasonable price. I don't need a $1000 - $2000 grapple sitting in the yard just to move some brush piles once in a while. My forks with a thumb on them will do most anything a grapple will do!

Ball Ground · May 26, 2014

Very nice George2615. I installed "The Thumb" on my R3039 last year also but had to modify the bucket to in order to get the correct angle.
I like the idea of mounting the thumb on pallet forks as well. Did you buy an extra mounting plate or just swap the entire unit out when changing over?

George2615 · May 26, 2014

Underdog57 said:
Because I already have a set of pallet forks and I use them a lot. If I had a thumb on the forks it would do everything I need it to do at a reasonable price. I don't need a $1000 - $2000 grapple sitting in the yard just to move some brush piles once in a while. My forks with a thumb on them will do most anything a grapple will do!

altamaha said:
If you are modifying to make it act more like a grapple, then why not purchase a grapple? Then you could allow the grapple to remain stationary as if it were a thumb or retract and close as a grapple... just wondering.

I'm in the same situation. I already had a bucket and forks. Didn't want to spend 1-2K on a grapple bucket or grapple forks to have them sit around for the few times a year I'd be using them. I only needed to add a grapple thumb. I guess I'm cheap. The mods in question would apply to the thumb I added or even if I had purchased regular grapple forks or a grapple bucket. The jaw doesn't open far enough with such a short stroke cylinder. I'm happy with the way mine came out.

George2615 · May 26, 2014

Ball Ground, I did buy the extra mount plate. It would be easy to swap the entire unit by unbolting the 4 - 5/8" bolts but about 25-30 lbs. heavier. With the extra plate I don't need any tools to swap it and it's a little lighter than with the base plate.

Underdog57 · May 26, 2014

George2615 said:
I'm in the same situation. I already had a bucket and forks. Didn't want to spend 1-2K on a grapple bucket or grapple forks to have them sit around for the few times a year I'd be using them. I only needed to add a grapple thumb. I guess I'm cheap. The mods in question would apply to the thumb I added or even if I had purchased regular grapple forks or a grapple bucket. The jaw doesn't open far enough with such a short stroke cylinder. I'm happy with the way mine came out.

Your not cheap Goerge, just efficient!

altamaha · May 28, 2014

Was not intending to call anyone cheap or inefficient. I do not have any idea as to what the cost of the thumb would be in relation to a grapple, or grapple bucket. If it works with your modifications and the cost to add a different ram to get more action (open and close) is minimal, then I can understand. I will be moving some treetops and limbs from my property after I have the timber cut. I was thinking a grapple bucket would be my best option. You both have valid opinions and options for using a thumb.

George2615 · May 28, 2014

altamaha said:
Was not intending to call anyone cheap or inefficient. I do not have any idea as to what the cost of the thumb would be in relation to a grapple, or grapple bucket. If it works with your modifications and the cost to add a different ram to get more action (open and close) is minimal, then I can understand. I will be moving some treetops and limbs from my property after I have the timber cut. I was thinking a grapple bucket would be my best option. You both have valid opinions and options for using a thumb.

I'm the one who said I'm cheap.
1) I can not justify spending 1-2K on a grapple bucket for the few number of times a year I'll need it. Same would apply for the price of grapple forks.
2) The thumb I bought with extra base plate cost me about $600. ($650 counting the angle steel I bought)
3) I can swap the thumb from forks to bucket in a minute or two giving me the choice of grapple forks or grapple bucket for 1/4 of the price of 2 separate grapples.

finspop · May 28, 2014

I too have a recently installed Thumb on my Kubota M4700. Cost me approx $700 total, including running wet lines from rear remotes and having my neighbor do the metal work. I figure that's anywhere from $500 - $1500 less expensive than a stand alone grapple, depending on quality, etc. FWIW, the Thumb is built like a shickbrithouse.

The Thumb actually offers some advantages over a stand along grapple. For one, you can don't have to switch implements whenever you want to switch between bucket and grapple. For another, the spread between the fully open thumb (I have the 36" model) and the bucket lip is 5-feet, a wider opening than most stand alone grapples. This has been huge for me, since I move round bales regularly. I'm not certain it'd be so simple with a stand alone grapple.

I'm sure a dedicated brush grapple would be better for moving brush. But I can still move huge piles of brush, logs, round bales, and just about anything I can think of with the Thumb for half (or less) of the price and no changing implements.