Thumb Kubota BH thumb vs BXpanded Barracuda thumb

[149owner]

Purchasing a LX3310 with a BH and would like to hear from people as to the best thumb to buy. Factory thumb or aftermarket thumb such as the BXpanded Barracuda factory mount thumb? I've never owned a BH so all information will be welcomed!

 

[cglaser104]

I can't speak to Kubota OEM thumb vs bxpanded but I can speak to MF OEM vs bxpanded. The MF thumb design was lacking in both effective design and visual sturdiness of the unit when compared to the bxpanded OEM replacement. The bxpanded has a far superior design and is extremely well made/hefty. In my case, the price was a wash for items that mounted identically to the specified points on the BH.

 

[149owner]

Thanks for your reply cglaser104. Can anyone with an opinion of a Kubota vs aftermarket thumb give me a reply?

 

[GeneV]

I can't speak to Kubota OEM thumb vs bxpanded but I can speak to MF OEM vs bxpanded. The MF thumb design was lacking in both effective design and visual sturdiness of the unit when compared to the bxpanded OEM replacement. The bxpanded has a far superior design and is extremely well made/hefty. In my case, the price was a wash for items that mounted identically to the specified points on the BH.

Yup, I got the one from kubota on my hoe too, very happy with it.

 

[Newby first timer]

I purchased the Hydro. Thumb for my MX5800 and I was lifting rocks that the Thumb would not grab a hold of so I Modified it a bit with adjustable and removable Ripper Shanks now the Thumb will grab stuff the Backhoe can not lift.
I do not know anything about the other brand you are asking about.
You can modify what you get if you need to.

 

[Peter 315]

I have the factory thumb from Kubota, never looked at aftermarket ones

 

[GeneV]

I purchased the Hydro. Thumb for my MX5800 and I was lifting rocks that the Thumb would not grab a hold of so I Modified it a bit with adjustable and removable Ripper Shanks now the Thumb will grab stuff the Backhoe can not lift.
I do not know anything about the other brand you are asking about.
You can modify what you get if you need to.View attachment 674983View attachment 674984View attachment 674986

I like that a whole lot!

 

[Newby first timer]

I like that a whole lot!

I keep wanting a Front Grapple.
But I have to found enough use for one with my tractor applications to justify buying one.
The added Rippers on the Hydo. Thumb makes my backhoe a perfect Grapple for what my uses are now. I can pick up trees and position them to cut up for firewood and I do not have to bend over anymore to do the job. Getting old sucks and proper tools and equipment make life a lot easier.
I used 1/2 inch flat bar to make the sockets for the rippers (material I had on hand) and welded the sockets onto the Thumb with E8018. The thumb being cast steel is harder than mild steel material and I was not sure what to weld it with. I thought E9018 or E11018 would be to hard. All of which I have on hand. Been welding and Fabing. for over 45 years.
The rippers run up the side of the Backhoe Mast with enough space that they do not even come close to and Hydro. Hoses.

I have had a few friends tell me that it make my Backhoe look Mean as ****.
The things you can do with a tractor. They are like the Swiss Army Knife of Heavy Equipment. The sky is the limit.

 

[VaGlock]

I keep wanting a Front Grapple.
But I have to found enough use for one with my tractor applications to justify buying one.
The added Rippers on the Hydo. Thumb makes my backhoe a perfect Grapple for what my uses are now. I can pick up trees and position them to cut up for firewood and I do not have to bend over anymore to do the job. Getting old sucks and proper tools and equipment make life a lot easier.
I used 1/2 inch flat bar to make the sockets for the rippers (material I had on hand) and welded the sockets onto the Thumb with E8018. The thumb being cast steel is harder than mild steel material and I was not sure what to weld it with. I thought E9018 or E11018 would be to hard. All of which I have on hand. Been welding and Fabing. for over 45 years.
The rippers run up the side of the Backhoe Mast with enough space that they do not even come close to and Hydro. Hoses.

I have had a few friends tell me that it make my Backhoe look Mean as ****.
The things you can do with a tractor. They are like the Swiss Army Knife of Heavy Equipment. The sky is the limit.

Would like to see a picture of your Backhoe set up, it sounds interesting.

 

[Newby first timer]

Would like to see a picture of your Backhoe set up, it sounds interesting.

2 posts up

 

[dragoneggs]

I have the OEM mechanical thumb on my BX. It works fine but I really can't say I use it all that much but glad I have it. That said, I like the fact that it is integrated vs. having a bulky strap-on BXpanded thumb. Price is a bit more for the OEM thumb but it doesn't look scabbed on. Don't get me wrong I have a few BXpanded products and they have been great. I could also see how the BXpanded thumb could possibly get in the way in some operations.

 

[VaGlock]

2 posts up

I am a idiot. thanks

 

[GeneV]

I keep wanting a Front Grapple.
But I have to found enough use for one with my tractor applications to justify buying one.
The added Rippers on the Hydo. Thumb makes my backhoe a perfect Grapple for what my uses are now. I can pick up trees and position them to cut up for firewood and I do not have to bend over anymore to do the job. Getting old sucks and proper tools and equipment make life a lot easier.
I used 1/2 inch flat bar to make the sockets for the rippers (material I had on hand) and welded the sockets onto the Thumb with E8018. The thumb being cast steel is harder than mild steel material and I was not sure what to weld it with. I thought E9018 or E11018 would be to hard. All of which I have on hand. Been welding and Fabing. for over 45 years.
The rippers run up the side of the Backhoe Mast with enough space that they do not even come close to and Hydro. Hoses.

I have had a few friends tell me that it make my Backhoe look Mean as ****.
The things you can do with a tractor. They are like the Swiss Army Knife of Heavy Equipment. The sky is the limit.

My man, never has the term "preaching to the choir" been more appropriate! That's exactly me, and I've been thinking up all sorts of ways how to add to my backhoe to make it more grapple-like. I even got a thread on it milling around here on TBN. I was actually thinking reverse of your setup, ie, leaving the thumb as is, and instead having some sort of claw thingie instead of the bucket, mounting it via quick-attach. I even ordered a quick-attach bracket and a ripper tooth mount (which I was gonna weld a claw on) from a certain vendor, but I wasn't too happy with the quality. But now I think your ripper shanks added to the thumb is a better idea, may have to rethink this!

I notice you got a hydraulic thumb too, I was thinking just mechanical. My method now for picking something off the ground, I position the backhoe so that the thumb makes contact with the ground at around 90 deg, and then curl the bucket to grab the tree limb or whatever. Having the thumb jaw longer and with more curve would definitely help there.

 

[fried1765]

Purchasing a LX3310 with a BH and would like to hear from people as to the best thumb to buy. Factory thumb or aftermarket thumb such as the BXpanded Barracuda factory mount thumb? I've never owned a BH so all information will be welcomed!

I see that you are in MA.

I have a hydraulic thumb built in Maine, on my Kubota L48.
The original owner had the thumb installed. It was built by MC Faulkner of Buxton, Me., though that equipment fabricating business is now called SRS attachments, and is in Norridgewock, Me.
I have never used an OEM Kubota thumb, but this aftermarket one is fantastic, and it works perfectly with the Kubota OEM Q/A hoe bucket.
I love it!
You will LOVE having a thumb!

 

[Newby first timer]

My man, never has the term "preaching to the choir" been more appropriate! That's exactly me, and I've been thinking up all sorts of ways how to add to my backhoe to make it more grapple-like. I even got a thread on it milling around here on TBN. I was actually thinking reverse of your setup, ie, leaving the thumb as is, and instead having some sort of claw thingie instead of the bucket, mounting it via quick-attach. I even ordered a quick-attach bracket and a ripper tooth mount (which I was gonna weld a claw on) from a certain vendor, but I wasn't too happy with the quality. But now I think your ripper shanks added to the thumb is a better idea, may have to rethink this!

I notice you got a hydraulic thumb too, I was thinking just mechanical. My method now for picking something off the ground, I position the backhoe so that the thumb makes contact with the ground at around 90 deg, and then curl the bucket to grab the tree limb or whatever. Having the thumb jaw longer and with more curve would definitely help there.

View attachment 675119

I made a quick connect for my bucket.
So I can use the pin on buckets and with one pin I can change the buckets.
You can see it in the pic.
I was thinking that if I find that the Bucket is inconvenient in some applications . I can make another Ripper attachment that will replace the Bucket.
Like I said the Sky is the limit and your imagination is the only hindrance you have when it comes to Tractors.
I have a lot of stuff running threw my head on what I would like to make as attachments for my MX5800.
I have already made a roof with rain gutters that can be replaced on the sides if I damage them to bad , A telescopic front Boom as well as the Backhoe Modification.
I am Currently building a back window guard and extended fold down sides for my Kubota RTV-X1100C. It will have extended tubes coming off the back and sides so that if I want to carry Plywood or any other large things on the Bed I will have adjustable stops to hold everything in place while I go up and down hills or on bumpy ground so that I do not loose my loads. The RTV-X1100C is just a Tractor with a mini Truck body on it.

 

[GeneV]

I made a quick connect for my bucket.
So I can use the pin on buckets and with one pin I can change the buckets.
You can see it in the pic.
I was thinking that if I find that the Bucket is inconvenient in some applications . I can make another Ripper attachment that will replace the Bucket.
Like I said the Sky is the limit and your imagination is the only hindrance you have when it comes to Tractors.
I have a lot of stuff running threw my head on what I would like to make as attachments for my MX5800.
I have already made a roof with rain gutters that can be replaced on the sides if I damage them to bad , A telescopic front Boom as well as the Backhoe Modification.
I am Currently building a back window guard and extended fold down sides for my Kubota RTV-X1100C. It will have extended tubes coming off the back and sides so that if I want to carry Plywood or any other large things on the Bed I will have adjustable stops to hold everything in place while I go up and down hills or on bumpy ground so that I do not loose my loads. The RTV-X1100C is just a Tractor with a mini Truck body on it.

Nice, man sounds like you're always into something! Oh yeh, I went back and looked at the pix, see the quick connect yeh, very cool. Can you take a pic of it sometime w/o the bucket connected to it?

 

[Newby first timer]

Nice, man sounds like you're always into something! Oh yeh, I went back and looked at the pix, see the quick connect yeh, very cool. Can you take a pic of it sometime w/o the bucket connected to it?

When I get back you to my Tractor in the next couple of weeks I will try and make the time to take a good pic of the quick connect attachment

 

[jhonygee]

I like that a whole lot!

I like it, thanks.

 

[Newby first timer]

Here are the pics of my Quick Connect for my Backhoe.
it is a 1 pin connection now.
I do have to watch when I role the bucket up now because it re-positioned the bucket and it hits the mast if I do not watch what I am doing

 

[GeneV]

Newby, thanks for the pix.