Questions about "The Thumb" for a loader
- Thread starter cttractor
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Let me first say again that any grapple is better than none... I bought this used, so the price is right but I'm very happy with it. I'm not even sure what this cost originally vs. the Thumb.
I have picked up tops like you mentioned but I usually only carry that a few feet to other tops that I've cut to make a bigger pile (or push several together to make a pile). The apple wood photo (last one) was going around several trees picking up what was trimmed and move on to the next tree (but it does pick up small piles... some more shots... If you cut whole trees, the is no such thing as "small" piles
First photo was collecting cuttings for mulch. No, I was not working with it... It was in the way and instead of unhooking the box blade and hooking up the rear blade (just to move it out of the way). I grab it with the grapple to move it... sorry if that looked like I was "working" with it that way :ashamed: I've "relocated" implements with the grapple just because it's easy to do. Let me first say again that any grapple is better than none... I bought this used, so the price is right but I'm very happy with it. I'm not even sure what this cost originally vs. the Thumb.
I have picked up tops like you mentioned but I usually only carry that a few feet to other tops that I've cut to make a bigger pile (or push several together to make a pile). The apple wood photo (last one) was going around several trees picking up what was trimmed and move on to the next tree (but it does pick up small piles... some more shots... If you cut whole trees, the is no such thing as "small" piles
Thanks Teg! Marveltone and I were both hoping you'd "chime in" again and respond to that question. It initially looks as if there'd be too much of a gap with W.R. Long's grapple to hold anything small. But the ability you show to grab and hold even a small amount of mulch cuttings is more flexible than I would have thought. And the large clump of branches you have in the last photo is impressive and shows just how helpful some form of thumb can be. It looks like I need to move sooner on this project than later because I'm doing a lot of hand work that I could do much faster and easier with my tractor.
Brush binds together pretty good (actually too well). I have grabbed long 3" tops by the end (had to curl the bucket some) and dragged them to an area where I piled 3-4 of them, then picked up the whole bunch from the side and take them away. I would worry more about not being able to open it enough vs. being able to close it down tight enough. :2cents:
Were you planning to use a tooth bar?
Were you planning to use a tooth bar?
Marveltone's post on 7/29/11 addressed that very point and his response was:
"It looks like it will swallow small countries! Seriously, it opens way wide, as my bucket is over-sized and as such, I bought the largest size they made. The combination will swallow huge loads."
So, I don't think that would be a problem with either product.
No. I'm looking for a backhoe as we speak, so I'll either get a full-size machine around 14,000 lbs. if I can find a decent one at a good price, or I'll get the one for my machine. Therefore, I don't think I'll have problems breaking ground. I do know that, if one were going to get loader bucket teeth, the time to do that is when we're adding the thumb. Is that why you asked?
Tooth bar is good for raking up brush into piles and helps to grip / bite into piles. Weekend before last was the first time the tooth bar actually dug dirt... it's mainly for the Grapple!
Kevin M
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I installed a " Thumb " last week on my 755 John Deere and I'm thrilled with it. I reinforced the top of bucket with 1/4 x 5 on both sides of the top plate. Then I added gussets to plate underneath and drilled all 3 layers with a magnetic drill press.
Marveltone
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Very good point. A tooth bar can be very effective with a grapple. I don't have one yet, but I do plan on one in the future. I'll make sure it's easily removable to keep maximum versatility.
joe