Small BH Thumb?

trlong · Jul 27, 2005

Has any one found a source (other than all the talented fabricators making their own) for a thumb for a small BH? I have a JD 46 on my JD 4115. Everything I've seen on the web, and here, appears to be too large for the "46". I don't believe there is any way it could be hydraulic due to the minimal dipper dimensions. It would have to be fixed pin but, that's fine. I'm just trying to save my back while building a rock retaining wall out of the rocks/stones I and scavenge off my property (some of which easily exceed 1,000 lbs).

I spoke with MC Faulkner in Maine. Their smallest "Bear Claw" thumb is probably too big for the "46" and to custom make one would exceed $1K, w/o the additional welding costs once it arrived.

I can't seem to find the link to the TBN'er who, I believe, offers to make custom thumbs if given all the necessary dimensions. Sooner or later I guess I'll have to take a welding course and bite the bullet on a welder.

All help appreciated,

Tom

PineRidge · Jul 27, 2005

Tom if you can furnish a drawing I can furnish the name of an individual with a CNC cutter that will be more than happy to cut the thumb out for you. That way you could elect to do the welding yourself if that's what you wanted to do. If interested, shoot me a PM.

nasdaqsam · Jul 27, 2005

Tom,

You are running into exactly what I did when I first started. What the industry calls small is still to big for the little BH's.

If your not to far from Plattsburgh, ny. It may be worth a trip and have my guy build it. He is fast and real good.

Take Care

nasdaqsam · Jul 27, 2005

( I don't believe there is any way it could be hydraulic due to the minimal dipper dimensions. It would have to be fixed pin but, that's fine. )Sorry for posting agian I didn't see this statement.

It can be hydraulic. I'm pretty sure your stick is no smaller than the one on my BX23 and I just did it. I do not how the hydraulics are set-up on your tractor so that may be an issue.

Good Luck

trlong · Jul 27, 2005

Mike,

Thanks. 1st I need to find a drawing I could scale down, if not already sized for smaller BH. My M.E. abilities are severely limited by too much E.E. training.

Nasdaq...'s info is intriging as I'm only about 1.5 hr.s from Plattsburg N.Y. and if I could actually get a hydraulic install I'd be in 7th heaven. I'll let you know how it works out.

Again, Thank you,

Tom

trlong · Jul 27, 2005

nasdaqsam,

Thanks. I'm about 1.5 hr.s from Plattsburg. Can I ask approximately what you had to spend for the entire assembly and installation? If just mechanical, I would have to have it welded as a class and welder are not in my near future. If hydraulic, same issues but need to add the cost of the valve(s), cylinder, lines, etc...

Did your fabricator in Plattsburg need the BH there, or did he fabricate from drawings?

Tom

nasdaqsam · Jul 27, 2005

( nasdaqsam,

Thanks. I'm about 1.5 hr.s from Plattsburg. Can I ask approximately what you had to spend for the entire assembly and installation? If just mechanical, I would have to have it welded as a class and welder are not in my near future. If hydraulic, same issues but need to add the cost of the valve(s), cylinder, lines, etc...

Did your fabricator in Plattsburg need the BH there, or did he fabricate from drawings?

Tom
)Tom,

He came to my place and measured the stick and openings then went home and welded up the thumb. When it was ready I dropped the tractor off. He had it for two days and it was done. I suppose if you scheduled it with him you could drop it off on a sunday and pick it up by the weekend. I do not want to speak for him but I can tell you he is good and when he says something will be done, it "is" done.

The cost for mine was right around $ 1,000 complete. Mine is a Kubota so I do not know what the mechanics are for the Deere or what the hydraulics would entail. I did do all the leg work on the hydraulics for him. I would imagine you would have to do the same. Although you could speak with him directly if you wished. Send me a PM if you want his name and number. I would imagine just a mechanical would be about 1/2 of the hydraulic.

Tha best price I could find on a custom built hydraulic thumb was $ 2,000. So I thought I got a good deal.

Take Care

hayden · Sep 2, 2005

I don't know how big the "46" is, but here's a Rankin thumb I put on a Kubota 4690 which is a 7' BH. I don't recall the price of the thumb, but it was probably around $300, and I did the installation. Might work for you.

Thumb

Peter

trlong · Sep 5, 2005

Peter,

Thank you for the link. I had not seen the "Rankin". I did get a quote from M C Faulkner, over in Maine. They have a stock mini-thumb that would work but, they want $800 (just mechanical thumb) and I'd still have to pay shipping and then have some one weld it on. A bit steep for my wallet. I'm checking dimensions for the Rankin but, it appears that their smallest thumb may be just a little too large for my "46".

The "46" spec.'s say 78" digging depth. So, I assume it is considered a 6 - 6 1/2' BH. Rankin's $300 sounds a lot more reasonable. I'm going to fax them dimensions of the "46". Maybe it will fit.

I also have to check back with a local metal fab shop. They said they can, and have built thumbs for smaller BH's. I have not had a chance to get back to them for a quote.

Thanks,

Tom