Stupid Hydraulic ?

racerboy832 · Sep 23, 2010

I'm making a thumb for my backhoe. It's gunna be a Pin on. The cheapest part for me is the fabrication. I want to make it Hydraulic but that's where the cost seem to get pricey. My stupid question is , How come when I use my portapower I can jack out the cylinder and when I release the pressure it returns. I was thinking maybe for a quick temp Idea. I could use a porta-power to control the thumb, Pump it out and let it retract. I know if i use a regular thumb cylinder I have to run 2 lines since it is dual acting. Just kicking thoughts around in my head.

beenthere · Sep 23, 2010

What is stupid about the question?

I'd imagine that there is a spring to return the "portapower" (whatever that is

) and if the spring is heavy enough, it might return the "thumb" on the hoe.

Maybe that is a stupid answer.

leonz · Sep 23, 2010

Have you thought about buying a stationary thumb welded to the inner boom which will close over the bucket when it is fully retracted (curled in) under the dipper boom?

J_J · Sep 23, 2010

There are also thumbs that will close as the bucket is closing. It is hinged to the bucket and the dipper arm.

If you have the hydraulics for a double acting, then why not use it. You can get new or used cylinders at a decent price. You can build it stationary for now and add hyd later.

wdchyd · Sep 23, 2010

racerboy832 said:
I'm making a thumb for my backhoe. It's gunna be a Pin on. The cheapest part for me is the fabrication. I want to make it Hydraulic but that's where the cost seem to get pricey. My stupid question is , How come when I use my portapower I can jack out the cylinder and when I release the pressure it returns. I was thinking maybe for a quick temp Idea. I could use a porta-power to control the thumb, Pump it out and let it retract. I know if i use a regular thumb cylinder I have to run 2 lines since it is dual acting. Just kicking thoughts around in my head.

The return spings in these are very weak......if you use this you'll need a couple external springs for pull back that will hold the thumb w/o flopping around:2cents: