Gotta love the thumb

[20 20]

Do you think that is to hard on the machine?

In a word YES, it can be, not saying lighter loads would be an issue but heavier loads could cause premature wear down the road. Another thing to keep in the back of your mind is safety/balance{again I'm sure you know this} carrying something to the side like that does give a "tip factor".

I liked the way I could position the tree parallel to the tractor so I could move it up the driveway.

I can relate to that I use a mini excavator the same way to move logs out to my trailer. I like the fact that I can move them through tight spots and not drag them through dirt. The logs get used for milling, clean logs are much better then dirt covered.

 

[Firefighter Kubota]

The other Thumb....for those w/o back hoes....

 

[AMR]

The thumb I got from bro-tek is for my BH75

 

[CHDinCT]

I'm looking for one for my BX25 BH but can't decide between the Bro Tek version or the EMP version. There's lots of good reports on the Bro Tek thumbs here but few on the EMP (I think it's relatively new). Looking at the two, I like that the EMP thumb is a bit wider and has a larger face to pin logs/rocks against, and the adjustable link looks much heavier than a Cat 1 top link. On the other hand, the Cat 1 top link would give me more range of adjustment.

Any EMP thumb owners out there that can provide some real life experience?

 

[moship]

CHDinCT,

Check out page 3.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/128216-kubota-bh75-damaged-bolt-thumb.html

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I need to get me one of those...

 

[CHDinCT]

CHDinCT,

Check out page 3.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/128216-kubota-bh75-damaged-bolt-thumb.html

Thanks. I actually read that after posting my request for reviews. Probably going to play it safe and go with the Bro Tek version. Haven't seen any negative reports on the Bro Tek thumbs.

 

[CT Jay]

I don't know about riding around with that arm all the way out like that with a load hanging off the side, and no ROPS!! Hope the rest of your land is as flat as what's in those pictures! I know that if it goes over in that configuration...and to be sure, I hope it never does....the hoe will stop the tractor just like it was a big stabilizer......but still....

 

[ManAtArms]

The thumb is probably one of the best upgrades for a backhoe. IMO, it doubles the backhoe's usefulness and value.

 

[AMR]

last summer about 7 PM on a Sunday night I was just getting settled with the kids and a neighbor calls and begs that I come down and pull a stump out for them. I had to wrestle my BH on my B3030 and ran down the road to help them. Well this stump was in the absolute worst place you can imagine, close to their house on a steep slope that pitched two directions and on the otherside of a nice brick walk.

Well I worked the stump out in about a half hour, it was a pretty big stump with lots of roots and a good root ball. I had no way to get it out of there but curl the bucket and pin the stump to the thumb and move the tractor with the BH extended almost full out.

I lifted the stabilizers and started to move the tractor and it sat back onto the BH lifting the front end at least 2 feet off the ground.

Thankfully I didn't freak out and reached back to push the BH down which put my front end down. I curled the stump in as close and low as I could to the machine, left the stabilizers about 6" off the ground, took a scoop of dirt in the front bucket and worked myself out there.

It was a very scary ride on this cross sloped hill with a giant stump and root ball curled up in the BH. I learned my lesson that day and thankfully escaped without damage to anything.

The worst part is that his wife, kids and buddies and my wife and kids all made for an audience that I would have preferred not to have.