I modified my Bxpanded backhoe thumb

[GeneV]

Finally decided to do something about my debilitating BOD condition. Of course I'm referring to bucket overbite disorder, so embarrassing!

I'm not quite done with it yet, I got to clean up these ugly welds (I suck at welding), and weld some more in some areas. And then I got a big field test for it. If it aces the test, I'll clean it up some more, throw some paint on there, good to go.

 

[GeneV]

The field test will be dragging this tree out of the pond, in pieces.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Looks good, and you've set us up for action shots, please don't disappoint.

 

[Dakota_male]

Finally decided to do something about my debilitating BOD condition. Of course I'm referring to bucket overbite disorder, so embarrassing!

I'm not quite done with it yet, I got to clean up these ugly welds (I suck at welding), and weld some more in some areas. And then I got a big field test for it. If it aces the test, I'll clean it up some more, throw some paint on there, good to go.


View attachment 756404 View attachment 756403

I did the same very usef ul mods to my mini X also, I added 2-7” fanges for picking up rocks closer to my mini.

 

[GeneV]

Looks good, and you've set us up for action shots, please don't disappoint.

I'll film it, but can't guarantee it to be worth watching lol.

 

[GeneV]

I did the same very usef ul mods to my mini X also, I added 2-7” fanges for picking up rocks closer to my mini.

Why is it that every mechanical thumb I see on the market is so short? At least the ones for scuts/cuts.

 

[bullbreaker]

Gene looks good , mini jurassic park ! ....

 

[GeneV]

Vid of the build...

 

[Vigo327]

At least the ones for scuts/cuts.

Possibly because a lot of buckets already almost touch the main boom arm when the dipper is fully tucked in, and if you pivot a thumb off a point higher up than the bucket, it needs to be even shorter than that to avoid it running into the boom arm by accident.

Now, even if that is the reason, in my opinion it's not a huge deal to accidentally put some scrapes on your boom arm. I'd rather have the extra 'reach' on the thumb and just remember not to pry my machine against itself too much.

 

[GeneV]

Here's me testing it out. Man, this thumb absolutely rocks now!

 

[Carl_NH]

Nice job!

I need to modify my mech thumb now!

 

[GeneV]

Nice job!

I need to modify my mech thumb now!

It's worth doing.

 

[Buggs67]

The additional teeth make a big difference. Nice to be able to manipulate the BH from the driver's seat. I have to get off, and climb on the BH seat.

 

[Carl_NH]

I use my BH with seat facing forward all the time like Genev does for lifting moving rocks, logs, digging a small hole etc. - stuff that takes a few minutes. For longer or bigger tasks I reverse the seat.

My thumb is from Brotek and I need to modify it to get a bigger gripping area - it's 3" x 5" and doesn't extend past the BH teeth. I'm going to look at welding two pieces like you did on each side.

 

[GeneV]

I hated the flip-around seat on mine anyways, I changed it to one where the seatback folds down. I fold it down, sit on the back of it, and just swing my legs around to face the back. SO much better!