Wallenstein thumb damaged

[RayCo]

I figured I'd share this as something else to factor in for anyone thumb shopping. I have a Wallenstein thumb on my BX24. I've had it for just about all of the three years that I've had my tractor. I'm not sure exactly when or how this happened, but as of recently, I cannot use one of the holes that the big pin slips through to select the thumb position. It appears the metal body was compressed a little bit, and as such, the hole is elongated and no longer shaped property for the pin. NBD, as I can just grind it out, but I figured it was worth sharing that it is possible to bend that metal. I'm proud of my BX for being able to do it, actually.

 

[radioman]

yikes!

 

[Tom_H]

Only the FOURTH GENERATION thumb has received favorable reports. The archives are full of long threads about the dismal failures of Wallenstein's first three thumb designs. Your description of the metal malformation sounds very similar to what happened in those early designs. You may want to research the archives and try to determine what generation your thumb is. If it is gen. 1, 2, or 3, you may want to see whether Wallenstein will replace it with a G4.

If not, consider a Bro-tek. They have never had the problems that Wallenstein thumbs have had.

 

[Renob]

Not to rag on your Wallenstein purchase, but have seen many bent up thumbs reported in this forum.

I am curious if anyone that uses the Bro-Tek thumb has had the same problems.





.

 

[RayCo]

I seem to recall from when I bought it that it's a second generation. Up until this hole issue, I haven't had any problems with it and have been quite happy with it. Hopefully I won't have to ever replace it, because I'm actually quite happy with its design, as far as from a conceptual standpoint.

 

[Tom_H]

I seem to recall from when I bought it that it's a second generation. Up until this hole issue, I haven't had any problems with it and have been quite happy with it. Hopefully I won't have to ever replace it, because I'm actually quite happy with its design, as far as from a conceptual standpoint.

Nevertheless, from a structural standpoint, the design is flawed and may yet suffer complete failure at some point in the future. The Gen4 model appears structurally sound while maintaining the "conceptual" elements of which you speak. It could be worth asking whether they will replace it with a G4 for free.

In your original post, you mention being impressed that the tractor has the power to warp the thumb. I would think that you do not really want the thumb to change shape even more and eventually fail. My own preference would be that the object between the pincers be crushed or that the hydraulic relief valve kick in. Being impressed with the tractor's power is one thing. Watching the thumb slowly collapse is another; it pretty much defeats the entire purpose of the thing.

 

[dfkrug]

but I figured it was worth sharing that it is possible to bend that metal.

Let's see a photo, RAY.

Wallenstein makes a lot of cool implements, so I am disappointed by their
apparent lack of good engineering here. It seems to me that there should
be a wealth of experience at that company to bring to bear on pin hole
design that is durable enough for hoe application.

Anyway, I went thru several experiments myself before I arrived at a thumb
design that could tolerate the forces involved. Any time you have pins
and holes that are a bit loose, you get a hammering effect that makes
ovals out of round holes. At least only the thumb is damaged. There
have been some thumb designs that distort the very thin (3/16" or
less) dippers.

 

[ayelvington]

I have the same situation with my Wally thumb and BX-24. Thanks for the validation that it's not just me. I got a bigger hammer and now just beat the pin in and out...

 

[RayCo]

Yeah, I'm not disappointed in the thumb. I've had it for three years, and it's been fine. This is something minor that might have happened from my banging it into something or some other unintended action, for all I know.

I'll try to remember to take a picture tomorrow, unless my camera melts in the sun before I get a chance to.