Backhoe Hydraulic thumb kit?

[Luke'sScreenName]

The Woods website also shows a mechanical thumb for the bh90. Maybe it is in the range of $400 like other mechanical thumbs. If so you could buy that. Install and wire in place. Then measure between your factory cylinder mount and the thumb pivot pin. That gives you the retracted length of the cylinder. Probably a 2" cylinder with 18-20" retracted length will do the job and cost about $80-150. Valve and hoses not cheap maybe another $300-500. The Woods foot pedal is likely a higher productivity option than a hand operated valve. So figure about $1000 or maybe more, plus a fair amount of work, and slightly less productivity, if you go the semi-DIY route vs $2500 kit.

Your concerns about cost are reasonable. So a cheaper aftermarket "kit" already packaged together would be really nice to find.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

For a homeowner machine thats not generating income i can see how $2500.00 is a lot of money for the convenience of picking stuff up with your backhoe. It doesn't sound that bad to me especially if it comes with all the hoses and the valve and the pedal to tap into your hoe hydraulics. You could try this place too Gallery | Northsaw.com a friend of mine has thumb from them on a mini ex and has been happy with it...

Thanks Tags, I sent them an email.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I have an aftermarket hydraulic thumb on my BH90x... I got it from MIE. I am surprised that you got the response you did from them. They were very helpful to me. I got the hand operated valve and mounted it in a different position than they recommend. Mounting where I did caused one of the hose fittings to be 90deg off from where I needed it to be. They made a new hose for me with the correct orientation, no charge, as long as I sent the old one back.
Here is a link to their 'aftermarket' stuff. It shows a Woods BH thumb but not for the BH90. They listed it in the past, not sure why they don't now.
Hound Dog Attachments

IXLR8, do you mind sharing ther approximate price?

 

[coobie]

I have gone through a bunch of old threads and have not found what I am looking for.

I have a Woods BH90X with no thumb. I'd like a hydraulic thumb. The dipper stick has factory mounts for a piston.

I inquired at my dealer about a Woods thumb. They want $2500! Plus another $800 if they were to install it!

So I went looking for an aftermarket thumb. I've found nothing designed for the BH90X.

I called Michigan Iron and Equipment today as everyone recommends them. The lady who aswered the phone had NO intrest in talking to me (surprisingly rude actually). She just said "we don't do one for that backhoe."

Anyone know of anyone else know of a kit? Bro-tek has nothing on their website.

I have dealt with MIE for the last 8 years,bought 2 tractors and some equipment from them.My experience has been nothing short of excellent.I would call them back and ask for Bob Piro the owner.

 

[MichiganIron]

I have dealt with MIE for the last 8 years,bought 2 tractors and some equipment from them.My experience has been nothing short of excellent.I would call them back and ask for Bob Piro the owner.

We are sorry if somebody came across as "rude'. Certainly no intention on our part to be rude. We have been extremely busy with some of our other products and have not focused on the Woods Backhoe models in a couple years. If we can help, we still have the BH90-X backhoe in our library. We can supply the Thumb, Hydraulic Cylinder, and the valve for the 90X backhoe. We do not have a custom valve mount template for the Woods Hydraulic Valve. The customer needs to mount the valve were it suits him best.

We think the confusion may be between our old style SH thumbs and the current SHP thumbs. We no longer produce the SH Thumbs for any of the backhoe models. All of our current SHP thumbs are the common pivot style thumbs for all KIOTI Backhoes, with complete kits including valve mounting on the backhoe.

We appoligize again for any mis-understanding. Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I have heard nothing but good things about y'all. Im sure it was a misunderstanding or perhaps I came off as rude (certainly not my intention).
I will call again! Thanks for the reply. Let me know if I should ask for anyone in particular.

 

[MichiganIron]

Ask for Bob, he can give you any information you need.

Thanks !!!!

 

[alia176]

For the average home owner, would a linear actuator work instead of a hydro cylinder? Has anyone gone this route before/

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Like electromagnetic or geared electric? :confused3:

 

[IXLR8]

IXLR8, do you mind sharing ther approximate price?

IF I can find the purchase info.. I will let you know. We are going thru a total home remodel and who knows where it might be.