Thumb Bachoe thumb

[gator2]

Hey Guys,
New member, been reading your posts for a month or so, and I just purchased a TC40D, w/ loader & backhoe attachments. I'm very interested in the thumb attachment I've read about in your posts, Ive contacted the co. that sells them and they are trying to sell me a larger thumb than you guys have purchased. Do you guys think a larger thumb would be beneficial, I'm basically doing general cleanup and maintance around my 21 acres. I've got the 758C Hoe with a 18" bucket.

 

[Rowski]

gator2,

I bought a CT824HD for my NH 759C hoe. I love it!! I think that it is the right size for my hoe. What size are they trying to sell you? I have used mine mostly for field stone. I lined a ditch with the stone that feeds my pond (about 100' long). Lined an overflow pond (8X15) with the stone. I have removed a dozen small sapplind trees roots and all. I put the sapplings in a pile and the picked up the pile and drought it to the burn pile. I have removed a 6 inch stump, the thumb didn't help much for removal. If the back hoe is large enough the thumb is a wise investment.

Derek

 

[Keoke]

Rowski, what is the brand name of your bucket thumb, where did you get it? What do these things cost? I have a 408 Bradco hoe with 12" bucket and am thinking of getting a thumb for it.
Thanks,
george, keoke

 

[Rowski]

George,

I got mine from attachment sales. Mine is model #CT824HD. I payed $545 delivered. It's the best thing since sliced bread! I've got about 100 hrs on my hoe now and 3/4 of the time I have been lining a ditch (with feild stone)that feeds my pond.

http://www.attachmentsales.com/thumbs.htm

The thumb belongs to a backhoe like gauge wheels to a york rake.

Hope it helps.

Derek

 

[gordon]

With a statement like (The thumb belongs to a backhoe like gauge wheels to a york rake). That says it all I guess!

Was it hard to get used to using the thumb?
Can the thumb stay on when digging with the hoe or does it have to be removed?
Sounds like the perfect investment for moving all that stone. Just the hassle factor alone it would pay for itself in a day.
Gordon

 

[Rowski]

Don't get me wrong there are uses were a thumb would not help at all. Like just simple staright forward digging. You can dig with the thumb down but some of the dirt will fall out the higher you lift the dipper. I took a little getting use to but not to bad. You can fold the thumb up against the dipper and just remove the stabilizer (link) bar. You can fully take off the thumb (except the welded on bracket) if you like but the thumb weights about 70 lbs.

For what I am doing its perfect. It's also great to gather up brush. It can be used to remove small sapling roots and all. You can work an area that you can reach with the hoe gather all the "stuff" and pinch it and drive to the brun pile and drop it.

There is one thing that I don't care for but there is not much that can be done about it. With the thumb in the down position you can not curl the bucket all the way shut (only as far as the thumb). What happens is you need to put the dipper out a little, away from the boom during transport. This makes the front end a little lighter especially when transporting brush (pinched by the thumb). Also when you swing sharp there is a longer over hang (in the rear) and you may hit some things if you are not careful. I've been lucky and only this trees and rocks /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif.

It's a little expensive but the first time I used it did more than I expected it to do.

Derek