Grapple The Thumb grapple

[pmbutter]

I installed The Thumb (The Thumb - Add-on Grapple Attachments) on my tractor yesterday. Love it! If you're doing the same, here are my suggestions on install:

I recommend using a piece of 3" C-channel for the mount, and bolting to it. Note, it will raise (less than 2") where the bottom of the base plate will mount. This might alter the length Thumb you buy, so think about this first, and follow the measurement suggestions on Greens' site.

Greens suggested extending the cylinder all the way and putting the tip in your desired "closed" position to get the exact angle... excellent advice. Cut a chunk of 2"x4" the size of the C-channel, then rip it to the angle you determined so you can test before cutting steel. You can then chop one "leg" of the "C" (with a recip saw, plasma cutter, yada) to get the same angle as the 2"x4" prototype.

Clamp The Thumb base to the C-channel, and mark and drill the four 5/8" holes. Fasten with grade 8 bolts and nuts, and weld the nuts to the underside of the C-channel. (This is the advantage of using C-channel vs. a piece of angle iron; there is room for the nuts underneath.) You can now tack weld the C-channel in place, plumb up your hydraulics and test.

For final welding, unbolt the Thumb, so you don't spoil their pretty powdercoat with weld heat and spatter.

By the way, I sprayed the underside of the C-channel with some high-temp BBQ black spray paint before welding. At least there's a little paint on the hard-to-paint surfaces to keep the rust down.

Before you buy hoses, take note of the maximum distance you might need with the bucket and the Thumb in their extreme positions. I discovered I needed nearly six feet from loader frame to Thumb.

My tractor has dual rear remotes, so I just plumbed one pair to a bracket I made for the loader where I mounted a 1/2" Pioneer couplings. The Thumb is controlled by a spring-loaded spool to the right of my seat. Not as sexy as the servo-buttons folks put on their loader joystick, but my setup works for me.

I really like The Thumb. I moved a few logs with it yesterday. Sweet! I bought a second base for my pallet forks so I can swap The Thumb between the two implements. I'll like it even better there, tho' I compromised on shorter fork length for bucket compatibility.

I fabricated a grapple and manure folks from scratch with a cousin last year, but The Thumb was a lot less effort, similar money, and a sexier design. I'm a fan!

Happy Spring! :tractor:

Regards,
Paul

 

[nybirdman]

Nice;did the same a few years ago + a tooth-bar.Tooth-bar is a great addition also;helps a lot with brush and logs.

 

[pmbutter]

Nice. I thought about a tooth bar, but hadn't done it because I often use the bucket edge for smoothing before I leave an area I've rutted up. But looking at yours, it seems the teeth might fold back into the bucket?

BTW, how can you be "north" of upstate NY. I'm in NY (sadly, these days!), and we just call that Canada.

 

[nybirdman]

Nice. I thought about a tooth bar, but hadn't done it because I often use the bucket edge for smoothing before I leave an area I've rutted up. But looking at yours, it seems the teeth might fold back into the bucket?

BTW, how can you be "north" of upstate NY. I'm in NY (sadly, these days!), and we just call that Canada.

Tooth bar is a bolt on if you want to remove it.They don't fold.I can see Canada from my front yard!
We are in St.Lawrence Co.about as far North as you can go in NYS.About 120 miles North of the Thruway.

 

[gojira]

Tooth bar is a bolt on if you want to remove it.They don't fold.I can see Canada from my front yard!
We are in St.Lawrence Co.about as far North as you can go in NYS.About 120 miles North of the Thruway.

My old stomping ground -- I lived in Potsdam 40-some-odd years ago.