Thumb Looking for Thumb Design for Backhoe

[dourobob]

My friend and I are getting close to finishing a Caddigeer 821 backhoe and we are pretty sure we want to put a thumb on it. After seeing, and being impressed with the apparent simplicity and effectiveness of the unit shown in Rowski's pictures in another post on this forum, I thought there are likely some other simple and effective designs out there.
Does anyone have any designs, sketches, dimensions, thoughts, advice, pictures, etc. in the building of a Backhoe Thumb that they would be willing to share on this board to help us.
Thanks

Bob

 

[micromike]

Here is a link to a bh thumb on ebay. Should give you enough of an idea to fabricate.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2524739494&category=25251

Let us know what you come up with.

Mike

 

[Taylortractornut]

Ill post a picture of my old hoe that i built a thumb for, it was gonna cost 800 to 1200 to buy a thumb that wouldnt fit my machine like i wanted so i built my own when i was 17. Its made out of 1X2 solid bar stock buty uo could use smaller for your machine. I have 5 teeth on my bucket so i made 4 teeth on the thumb so they would interlock and i could clamp smaller rebar in demolition work.I just diod a landscping job where i had to move several 400 pound stones into a flowerbed over some bushes.

 

[hcarter62]

Try this web site ubuilditplans.com I am currently building the towable backhoe from thier plans and they also have plans for a thumb.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I personally like the one that my boss has on his backhoe. I like the design. It fits nice on the machine and is a nice shape. I'll post more pics. later. Scanner is being difficult.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forumfiles/47-225523-Scan002%2CJanuary12%2C2003.jpg

Blake
WA

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Here is my backhoe thumb Its been one of the most useful things I have built for my backhoe.

Its been very useful for lifting boulders,logs,stumps,etc and also clearing and piling brush and debris.

I made a new brace for it as I bent the prior one in the picture. The new one is made of one piece of square tube that is way more beefier than the prior one. I also need to upgrade my thumbs teeth as I keep bending/breaking them and I made them out of 1/4" thick steel too /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Rowski]

Here mine. Bought it from Attachment Sales.

What I like about it is that is has 3 settings for the thumb. 1 is stored position. The other 2 positions will let you have the thumb at differnent angles. One allows me to still use the bucket some what to scoop dirt. The other position doen't becasue the bucket is curled back to much, but is great for picking rocks and brush.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I personally don't like the "bar" that's on the thumbs that people have been showing. I don't know why but I just don't like it.

Blake
WA