Thumb Anyone sorry for adding a Thumb to BH?

[Artisan]

BH thumb has finally caught my attention. Looks like those that have them are satisfied with them. I do some moving of small trees, shrubs and grasses as well as moving my rocks around. Think I'm a candidate for a thumb on my BX25. In to my second day of research, found this thread and want some input. I won't be moving hugh downed trees, I have a BX25 BH so it isn't hugh or major powerful. With that in mind what's your opinion on these thumbs?
21 inch 21" Heavy duty backhoe THUMB mini excavator hoe clamp | eBay
18 inch New 18 inch Backhoe Thumb Mini Excavator Thumb Hoe Clamp | eBay
Why would I want a 21" over and 18" or vise versa?

I would not go that route, that being a welded on thumb. The metal is not
super thick on the dipper, and the bolt ons work well. I think it is [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiVk2036nqk"]Bro-tek [/ame]
and then what I chose, [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5n5YLLqBM8"]EMP Extreme Metal products[/ame]. Look at both and
think picking up small trees. You do have to make SURE you place the
bracket correctly so you do NOT bust off a hose fitting. Mine gets VERY
close. I think it was the fitting at ful wide open curl to watch for.

Once you get it where ti goes ti stays there.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I would not go that route, that being a welded on thumb. The metal is not
super thick on the dipper, and the bolt ons work well. I think it is Bro-tek
and then what I chose, EMP Extreme Metal products. Look at both and
think picking up small trees. You do have to make SURE you place the
bracket correctly so you do NOT bust off a hose fitting. Mine gets VERY
close. I think it was the fitting at ful wide open curl to watch for.

Once you get it where ti goes ti stays there.

Here is the strongest 21" backhoe thumb on the net.It is built from a36 high strength USA steel cut on a plasma table.The base is a solid piece that is formed not welded so it is stronger and with this design the stress is on the base not your boom.The bar is 2x3 tubing.The teeth bars are 1/2".

It has three positions and folds back out of the way when not in use.
You can bolt it on or weld it on.

It is 21" x 6" and the base is 4 3/4" x 18"

These are heavier than any competitors thumb this size and with the solid one piece base there is no chance of smashing in your hoe's arm.

These are built at a manufacturing facility in Galion Ohio using top quality Ohio steel.Differant sizes are available.

Guess you missed the part where it can be welded or bolted on. Do you see any other issues that I should be concerned about? I've bought a lot of equipment for tractors off Ebay and have been extremely satisfied with how heavy duty they have been. Selling to individuals is how the main providers of BX equipment got started.

 

[Martian]

If you can weld, I don't see why you wouldn't weld it on. To say the metal is to thin... well people weld bucket hooks on buckets that are much thicker than a backhoe. With you size of machine, the welded on vs bolt on will make no difference as opposed to a welded on thumb on a Case 590. The BX25 just won't be able to move the bolt on. If you can weld, I would do it anyway. I am really surprised you don't already have a thumb for your BX25 though John! They are really nice and make picking up things a breeze. I would recommend the Bro-Tek thumb though, it is made specifically for the BX25. I know some people (members here included with and without BX25's) that are extremely happy with their product. I haven't much looked into the other (EMP) thumb, though it looks to be excellent quality.

 

[adjusterr]

I added a bolt on Bro-Tek Thumb several years ago and couldn't be more pleased. Bro-Tek is great to work with and advised me they can fabricate a thumb for any model tractor. I personally would not weld the thumb onto the dipperstick as it can weaken the metal on either side of the weld. The bolt on model has worked perfectly for me and I use it quite a bit, especially during wood cutting.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Both would be a great addition to the hoe. The EMP looks stronger to me but that may not be the case.

8"x32" Mechanical Thumb for Mini Excavator Backhoe USA | eBay

This one is working out well for our larger JD 310.

I liked it because of the base plate with makes the stick stronger. I was concerned we would weld it on in the wrong place but that was not really very possible. When we got the teeth mating correctly the rest was in the right place.

Still after the welder tacked it on we when through the different pin settings and insured correct range of montion but it was fine so he made about five welds up each side.

As I noted it even works great for small stuff when it is folded out of the way.

Again the main thing is to stop talking and get one. :thumbsup:

Now our hoe is 10x more productive around the place. It is cool pulling bushes near buildings without using chains.