Building a Thumb for excavator

   / Building a Thumb for excavator #1  

tylertown

Silver Member
Joined
Nov 10, 2013
Messages
147
Location
MS
Tractor
Massey Ferguson 40 backhoe, Ford 5000 general purpose
Hi I currently have an e35sr NewHolland mini excavator and I really like this machine small but very strong. I am wanting to go with a thumb on it now but I don't want to fool with a mechanical thumb I want hydraulic thumb but don't want to pay over a thousand dollars for one. im wanting to build one. I heard that the local tractor supply store has hydraulic cylinders for sale with varying sizes. want to make my own. any ideas? Thanks guys
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #2  
Not hard to I took a mechanical one and just added a cylinder just remember though everything you hang out there decreases how much you can lift and changes the balance of the machine a bit.
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #5  
image-3475831043.jpg

This is the Hydraulic thumb from Showtime Fabrications, it is built very heavy.
John
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks very good information! lots of great options!
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #7  
If you can use a CAD program, you can draw a thumb to fit your bucket. Put it on a thumb drive and take it to a steel mil where they will cut out the parts for you.

If you do it right, the parts will go together like a puzzle

Get an estimate first.
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #8  
Do you already have aux boom hydraulics? If yes, that's a bonus. If not, then you'll have to figure out valve placement, hose routing etc also.

Can you find your same machine that has a thumb already and copy it? Easy enough to build, even easier if you can copy the geometry and sizing from an existing one
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #9  
Can you find your same machine that has a thumb already and copy it? Easy enough to build, even easier if you can copy the geometry and sizing from an existing one[/QUOTE]

Good advice. This is always MY "plan A' or 'go to' plan.
Good luck and give us updates on your adventure.

Terry
 
   / Building a Thumb for excavator #10  
If you can use a CAD program, you can draw a thumb to fit your bucket. Put it on a thumb drive and take it to a steel mil where they will cut out the parts for you.

If you do it right, the parts will go together like a puzzle

Get an estimate first.

This is what I was thinking. I don't know how to use a CAD but my engineer brother can. However he's busier than a one armed paper-hanger. If I do a good 3-view drawing it might work. I don't need an exceptionally big or strong one; just for occasional rock moving.

I may do a plywood mock-up first.
 

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