Backhoe What’s the most practical way to get a hydraulic thumb on a JD 310J backhoe?

[4570Man]

I haven’t finalized the deal yet but I’m probably buying a 310j backhoe. I had a fixed thumb on my tractor backhoe and I’ve used a hydraulic thumb on a buddy’s mini excavator. I definitely want a hydraulic thumb. I’ve had a hard time finding a proper kit for the thumb hydraulics and I’m sure it’s expensive anyway. I was thinking about using a 12 volt diverter and using one of the stabilizers hydraulics. Has anyone done such a thing? I’m open to other suggestions. There’s no auxiliary hydraulics on the front.

 

[widetrackman]

I know this a old thread. I am in the same predicament as I am trying to find specific instructions how to get hydraulics on my 310j for a thumb. Did you ever figure how to do it. Any help would be appreciated as I can not find anyone who has plumbed a hyd thumb on the 310j.

 

[4570Man]

I sold the 310 and bought a M59 with a hydraulic thumb. I kinda regret the idea but it was the most practical thing to do. I think the diverter on the stabilizer would have worked. I could have worked through the thumb issue but it would’ve cost a fortune to get a grapple and forks in the front.