Attaching a "Thumb" to my FEL bucket

[mark02tj]

Debated about putting this in "Attachments", "Welding" or "Build-It Yourself". Hopefully this is a good forum for my questions....


I ordered a Thumb from Green's Machine to mount to my FEL bucket. It's on the UPS truck and will be here this afternoon!

I have a 2005 JD 3520 with a 300CX FEL.

I'm looking for advice on the best way to mount it. I've attached a couple of examples...

TBN member Burtonbr did it this way:

TBM member picker77 did it like this:

I'm leaning towards the way that Burtonbr did it although Picker77's method looks a bit simpler (no welding). I already have bolt-on hooks on the top of my bucket as well as a clevis attachment right in the middle of the top of it. If I went with Picker77's method, I'd lose the clevis. I'm a bit leery of just mounting something to the top of the bucket.

If I go with fabbing the Burtonbr type bracket, should I bring the "sides" further down my bucket for extra rigidity? What thickness of steel should I go with. It's kind of hard to tell from his pic, but I'm guessing it's maybe 1/4". The side of my bucket are probably only 1/8" (I haven't mic'd them to see for sure). Would 2 x 3 x 3/16" tubing be sufficient for the top bar?

Any guidance will be appreciated!!

 

[George2615]

I also bought the thumb but I ordered 2 base mounts. I mounted 1 on the bucket and 1 on my forks. That way I can use the thumb with either attachment. Your 5/16" tubing will be fine if you build it like Burtonbr. It's thicker than your bucket. I used 3/8" angle on both my forks and bucket. I also drilled additional position holes for the cylinder.

I just read your other post. I ran my hydraulics from my rear remotes. (I have 2 sets of remotes). Bought all the pre-made hose and fittings from Tractor Supply. I posted a materials list in my post of the hose and QD fittings I used.

 

[mark02tj]

Nice job on your install!! I'm planning on eventually buying a second mount to do the same thing you did.

Also, need to clarify (edited above already) that I mis-typed the tube wall thickness. I have some 2 x 3 x 3/16" (not 5/16") already on hand if that will work. If not, I'll buy some thicker stuff.

 

[George2615]

Nice job on your install!! I'm planning on eventually buying a second mount to do the same thing you did.

Also, need to clarify (edited above already) that I mis-typed the tube wall thickness. I have some 2 x 3 x 3/16" (not 5/16") already on hand if that will work. If not, I'll buy some thicker stuff.

Yes, 3/16" will also work. Just don't mount it so the jaws will fully touch your bucket. My pics show the thumb fully open and closed and I left some gap so the hydraulic cylinder hits its stop before the thumb hits the bucket. If they do touch and the cylinder has more travel it could bent your bucket (or 3/16" tubing) where the mount is bolted.

 

[George2615]

Here's My materials list
2- SKU# 1819884 - 168" (14') long 1/2" 2 wire 3000 PSI hose w/ male to male pipe each end
1 - 5006-4 - Double breakaway clamp with bracket to hold the front couplers
4 - SKU#1818626 - 1/2" male to 1/2" female swivel (or 1818105 1/2" male to 1/2" female 90's, your choice)
6 - SKU# 1824407 - VP4200-4 (or VP4000-4 your choice) 1/2" pioneer 3000 PSI coupler sets. (I bought some extra)
I also bought a 4' jumper hose I used to bleed the the lines. I can later use the 4' hose to connect to a front cylinder when I get something to install that needs hydraulics. I still have to get the rubber caps to plug in the couplers when not in use. They were out of stock.

I ran the lines under the tractor in between other lines and up to the front. I just used zip ties about every foot or so front to back. If your tractor is HST make sure you don't run the lines under where the pedals arms. I ran mine between the fwd and rev arms. "

 

[mark02tj]

Thanks, George!

What company are the SKU's for? I did a quick Google search on a couple of them and didn't come up with anything.

 

[George2615]

Tractor Supply

By the way, you could use a smaller hose and fittings (3/8"). They didn't have 14' lengths of 3/8" hose in stock when I bought so I used all 1/2" materials.
I did use 3/8" hoses for the connections from the thumb cylinder to the tractor.
The thumb also came with pressure reducing fittings which I did use.

 

[nybirdman]

A lot depends on your bucket design.I had to use a piece of angle on the top so the thumb would fully close on the bottom edge.Does involve some welding doing it this way.One of the best additions I have done to my tractor.

 

[mkr7734]

Debated about putting this in "Attachments", "Welding" or "Build-It Yourself". Hopefully this is a good forum for my questions....


I ordered a Thumb from Green's Machine to mount to my FEL bucket. It's on the UPS truck and will be here this afternoon!

I have a 2005 JD 3520 with a 300CX FEL.

I'm looking for advice on the best way to mount it. I've attached a couple of examples...

TBN member Burtonbr did it this way: View attachment 379087

TBM member picker77 did it like this: View attachment 379088

I'm leaning towards the way that Burtonbr did it although Picker77's method looks a bit simpler (no welding). I already have bolt-on hooks on the top of my bucket as well as a clevis attachment right in the middle of the top of it. If I went with Picker77's method, I'd lose the clevis. I'm a bit leery of just mounting something to the top of the bucket.

If I go with fabbing the Burtonbr type bracket, should I bring the "sides" further down my bucket for extra rigidity? What thickness of steel should I go with. It's kind of hard to tell from his pic, but I'm guessing it's maybe 1/4". The side of my bucket are probably only 1/8" (I haven't mic'd them to see for sure). Would 2 x 3 x 3/16" tubing be sufficient for the top bar?

Any guidance will be appreciated!!

I need some ideas on how to best beef up the 60" bucket on my 300 JD FEL to add a thumb. I like what I see in the picture but wonder if there is more than meets the eye. The top of my bucket seems light and weak.
Tks,
Kev.

 

[George2615]

I need some ideas on how to best beef up the 60" bucket on my 300 JD FEL to add a thumb. I like what I see in the picture but wonder if there is more than meets the eye. The top of my bucket seems light and weak.
Tks,
Kev.

Check my pic in post 2 for my bucket. I welded some 3" x 3" x 1/4" angle to the top of the bucket to mount the thumb base plate on. You can also add some 3/16" angle to the entire front length of the bucket. Mine came with that piece of angle from the factory. On my previous tractor bucket I added a piece of 2" x 2" x 3/16" across the top lip for strength.