Bucket Thumb install finished

[picker77]

Finally got around to finishing up the install of a 28" Greens Machine Shop bucket thumb on my JD 3032E. Works great, especially in combo with the tooth bar. This will be a huge help in cleaning up brush this winter. Total weight of the thumb and it's base mount was 108 lb, plus of course the weight of the 3x4x1/4 tubing I used to mount it on, and a couple of 5x12x3/8 backing plates hidden up under the lip of the bucket. Didn't want to weld on the bucket, it's mounted with 5/8" and 3/4" Grade 8 hardware. I noticed no flex at all when grabbing stuff, although there must be a little even if I can't see it. I think this setup will hold up fine if I don't abuse it.

I would like to improve the mounting of the QC's on the torque tube, they are currently tie-wrapped. I plan to fabricate a small rigid mounting plate for bulkhead fittings when I have time this winter. I used 14' 3/8 hoses with a 90 degree fitting at the rear SCV plug-ins. As currently set up I have to unplug the side link cylinder from one of the remotes to plug in the thumb, so one of these days I want to look into a 3rd SCV to mount on the joystick. However, the piggy bank wouldn't stand for that yet. I didn't use the .060" restrictors provided, didn't need them--operational speed was perfect just like it is.

Can't say enough good about Green's Machine Shop, David's workmanship is first rate, shipping was very fast, and his prices are reasonable.

 

[magicheater]

Looks like you did a nice clean job! If you don't mind me asking, what did the grapple, tooth bar and the associated costs run you?

 

[ctgoldwing]

Excellent looking install! Good luck with it

 

[picker77]

Looks like you did a nice clean job! If you don't mind me asking, what did the grapple, tooth bar and the associated costs run you?

No, I don't mind, it's public information.

Grapple: $350 plus shipping. Hoses, fittings, steel, and small hardware another $200.
Greens Machine

Toothbar (Iowa Farm Equipment): $350 with free shipping.
Iowa Farm Equipment -- Bucket Toothbars & Cutting Edges

 

[magicheater]

Hey thanx, was that a 300x or a 200x loader?

 

[picker77]

Hey thanx, was that a 300x or a 200x loader?

It's a 305.

 

[magicheater]

It's a 305.

Thank you, I see it is comparable to an LA 504 Kubota Loader. Superior in some areas and lacking in others. What do think the weight of your add-on's are to your bucket? Your bucket must weigh at least 150# -180#.

 

[picker77]

Total weight of the thumb and it's base mount was 108 lb, plus of course the weight of the 3x4x1/4 tubing I used to mount it on, and a couple of 5x12x3/8 backing plates hidden up under the lip of the bucket.

Total weight added to the bucket was around 140 pounds. I'd say the Kubota LA463 is a closer comparison.

 

[MF1652]

I've been looking for a grapple to pick up logs and brush but can still be removed from the bucket easily when it's not needed. It looks like that grapple can be removed by pulling three pins and disconnecting the hoses. How does it do with picking up logs? I'm curious, what was the reason for mounting the grapple on top of the 3x5 square tubing?

 

[nybirdman]

I also have and Green's Machine thumb and a Markham tooth-bar.Great tool.
Great for brush and logs.Mine is also bolt on,for easy removal.

 

[picker77]

I've been looking for a grapple to pick up logs and brush but can still be removed from the bucket easily when it's not needed. It looks like that grapple can be removed by pulling three pins and disconnecting the hoses. How does it do with picking up logs? I'm curious, what was the reason for mounting the grapple on top of the 3x5 square tubing?

I've only tried it on one "test" log that was only about 9' long and maybe 16" diameter. Tried it two ways, both worked fine: (1) float the bucket, gently slide the teeth under the log until the bucket starts to push it, clamp down, and curl the bucket back. (2) Under some circumstances if there's plenty of room above the log, I could open the grapple, raise the bucket about four feet and curl it down 90 degrees, ease up to the log (this way I can see how close I am by looking under the bucket teeth hanging down), drop the whole thing onto the log, clamp, and curl--just like you would pick up a small stick of fireplace wood with one hand.

The rectangular heavy wall tubing was used to get 3" of rise for the base mount above the bucket top, which allowed the grapple tips to contact the bucket teeth just right when it was closed (cylinder fully extended), and at the same time give me the widest "bite" when the cylinder was fully retracted. Using rectangular tubing also made bolt-up easier. I could have arrived at the same operating geometry with a 24" long x 5" solid steel wedge on top of the bucket, but the wedge would have had to be about 1/4 thick in the back and 1" in the front to gain the proper angle. Not an easy thing to come by. A wedge-shaped mount would have also made bolting everything to the top of the bucket a little more complicated.

 

[kennyd]

Looks good:thumbsup:

 

[picker77]

I also have and Green's Machine thumb and a Markham tooth-bar.Great tool.
Great for brush and logs.Mine is also bolt on,for easy removal.

Saw the writeup on yours, nybirdman. It was one of the things that inspired me to go ahead and order this one. Like you said, it's a great tool to have, at less than half the cost and about 1/4 the weight of a regular 48" grapple. I bought an extra base for mine, will try to figure out how to adapt the extra base mount to fit my Chris Perry fork setup. Then I can swap the grapple between the bucket and the forks by just pulling three pins and two QC's. If I can get it done it will be a handy setup.

Also: Didn't like the snap-on safety pins, I'm pretty sure brush would catch on them and jerk them off. So I drilled out the holes in the 1" mounting pins a tad and used small linch pins. Only needed to drill the pins a little, I used a 13/64 bit--easy and quick to do.

 

[yooper1]

Looks like a job well done.

I have to say that comparison that magicheater gave does not do my loader any favors....gasp!

 

[nybirdman]

picker77.........I replaced the pins with bolts....kept losing the pins in the brush.The only problem that I have had is:if you roll the bucket (with the thumb full open )and push the thumb beyond the range of the cylinder it will lock open.Just remove the top pin,lower the thumb,reinsert the pin.Takes longer to explain than to fix.Nice tool enjoy.:thumbsup: