My new backhoe thumb

[3RRL]

Well, you have that bar that spans the center now, so that is probably good enough. I just put some remnant teeth on my bar for added grip and a cool look. Don't know how much those teeth really add. But nevertheless, they will grip, that's for sure.
On another note, the concern for off center grabs possibly tweaking the jaw could be off set with two turnbuckles instead of one...that is if you find it to be a problem.

[workinallthetime]

Originally Posted by 3RRL

On another note, the concern for off center grabs possibly tweaking the jaw could be off set with two turnbuckles instead of one...that is if you find it to be a problem.

i really have not noticed a problem, i did actually break one of the mounts at the top of the thumb. I cleaned the area up with the grinder, then added a brace between the 2, problem fixed.

ok back to laying tile, more rain and more mudd, will it ever end????????

[workinallthetime]

here is a couple pics of the "grade blade" i am always talking about. works great in alot of different aplications

[rcrcomputing]

Interesting. What all did you say you do with it?

[workinallthetime]

they advertise them to be the greatest thing to backfill a trench after your done and it works great for that. depending on the angle of the blade you can slide right on top of the grass to put the spoil back in. I have also found it to be really good at cutting sod, the sod will roll up into the bucket into nice pieces. its great for gleaning out ditches, grading an area for a padio or walk, carving into packed clay, cleaning up an area when your done (its like a solid rake).
it just seems vary useful, i built it for my old bx23 and mad it work for the b3030 and built it out of scrap from my toothbar project. last weekend i excavated out for my buddies padio and walk and it performed perfect since we were only shaving the sod off. He was able to take the sod to another area and use it there. I also cleaned his 1/4 mile worth of ditch with it, its not fool proof but i have yet to cut a line with the thing, even his 12 gage sprinkler circuit. managed to run across it 3 times and not cut it.
ohh and also work well for cleaning off the trailer

[rcrcomputing]

Hmm, may have to get a piece of steel and clamp it on for testing. Though I have serious doubts the kioti bucking bronco backhoe with work for this. Even with the moter at the lowest speed, feathering the controls doesn't work really well. Especially the sideways control. Very frustrating. Maybe someone can give me a hint on the side ways control.

Strong backhoe, but I wish it'd get off the steroids once in awhile..

So, I gather that's about 1/4" steel and when doubled, the part that hits the ground is about 1/2" or did you sharpen it to a cutting edge?

[Willl]

Use the thumb Luke.

[AchingBack]

Originally Posted by rcrcomputing

Snowboy, at least when I say I have a thumb, you can say "no, I have a thumb!!"

Thanks guys! For all the good comments.

I didn't realize how ugly the thing was till I posted pictures. Thanks for not mentioning it. hehe

But it works!

Ugly? Why a blind man would be glad to see that thumb. You might even rent it out to lazy hitch hikers.

[workinallthetime]

if i used my fixed thumb to hold the blade it would limit my angle on entry way to much.

the steel i made it from is the scrap from my tooth bar which was made from a worn out cutting edge on a box balde or large wheel loader, i duno which. the piece was allready cut to an edge. i would say its about 5/8" thick and backed up with some 1/4 inch strap i had laying around. For a project that only took about 30 minutes to build it sure has worked well in various situations.

[Willl]

Originally Posted by workinallthetime

it would limit my angle on entry way to much.

Ya, that is the biggest draw back doing it with the thumb.
Gotcha on the install/uninstall time though.