Backhoe thumb

Anonymous Poster · Mar 14, 2003

Well I finally finished my first time welding project and made a non-mechanical thumb for my JCB 1400B backhoe. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Check out backhoe thumb for more info and some pictures of it in action.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 14, 2003

Great job and great photos. I would use grade 8 bolts on the thumb. Grade 2 just doesn't have the strength and you'll be replacing them before long.

gerard · Mar 14, 2003

very nice job and STanley beat me to it!!!!!! Even grade 5 will be a big improvement over grade 2, 2 is just too soft for your use. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

rdbrumfield · Mar 14, 2003

NICE, will sure help you, wish I had one made for my small excavator.

dsgsr · Mar 18, 2003

Nice Job. Wish I could weld I would have done mine myself. I had a Manual thumb put on my #48 hoe about a year ago, I'm in the process for making it Hydraulic and using a solenoid valve.

Anonymous Poster · Mar 18, 2003

Please tell me more about making a thumb Hydraulic and using a solenoid valve, I may be interested in doing this to mine....that would make it very useful.

I upgraded to 1' thick grade 8 bolts after bending yet another grade 2 bolt /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

emery · Mar 18, 2003

Nice Job Luvmud!
Thank you for sharing the pictures. I may try making one myself and I agree that #2 bolts are a little soft or were you using that grade for a 'shear' bolt effect so as not to somehow damage hoe?

Anonymous Poster · Mar 18, 2003

Thanks for the compliment. I used the #2 bolt as that is all the ole hardware store had and I thought its an inch thick no way I can bend this...DOH!!

I found a commercial grade hardware store and bought some nice Grade 8 bolts at $13 each...ouch...they should hold up fine /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Anonymous Poster · Mar 20, 2003

Keep posting on the hydralic thumb. I've started to gather materals and have a ROUGH plan.

Thanks
Mikell

dsgsr · Mar 22, 2003

What is it that you would like to know about the hydro thumb?
I chose the selenoid valve because of the ease of use, switch operated instead of lever. This way I can mount the switch on the dipper-stick lever just under where my hand would be and operate the thumb with my thumb /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sometime in the near future I'm getting a new computer that will recognize my digital camera and I will post pictures.