BX24 Thumbs - Bro-Tek vs. Wallenstein

[RayCo]

My BX24 will be delivered in about 84 hours and the more I read, the more I think that I should be ordering a thumb. I have many, many piles of dead trees around my house from when my house was built, and getting rid of them will be one of the first jobs I hope my BX can help with. So, I have a couple of questions.

1. Not factoring in the cost difference, which thumb do y'all think is better, the Bro-Tek or the Wallenstein? I realize a grapple for the loader may be what's really best, but that expense is going to have to wait.
2. I see many instances of people using thumbs to pick things up, but can you also safely (to the human and the tractor) go driving around carrying things? I was always under the impression that you shouldn't ever really drive around without the backhoe in its parked position. If a thumb is only good for picking things up and remaining stationary, it wouldn't be as helpful as I had hoped.

Thanks to anyone who may have feedback!

 

[Tom_H]

The bh with thumb will be able to lift more weight than the FEL with grapple. Have you read these two threads?:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/98402-wallenstein-thumb-review-bx.html

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/98537-bro-tek-thumb.html

 

[RayCo]

I've read many of the threads, but I hadn't yet come across this one. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/97705-wallenstein-thumb-bx.html

I read that and then ordered a Wallenstein thumb. 68 hours until my BX24 arrives.

 

[Snatchface]

I can't even seem to find the Wallenstein thumb for sale anywhere. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RayCo]

I can't even seem to find the Wallenstein thumb for sale anywhere. Anyone have any ideas?

This is the link to the auction that I used to order my thumbs. eBay: Backhoe Thumb for Kubota BX22 BX23 BX24 Brand New! (item 140129228664 end time Jun-17-07 11:22:22 PDT) I don't see a new auction up yet though. But, perhaps you can use the info or the "contact member" link in this auction to contact the person. It does state "Check us out on the web" at one spot in the description of this thing, but it doesn't say where to do so!

 

[MOPAULY]

I found that the backhoe works pretty good without the thumb. I was able to move some large wood and telephone poles just by curling the bucket back against the backhoe arm.

 

[radair]

I can't even seem to find the Wallenstein thumb for sale anywhere. Anyone have any ideas?

I called a few local dealers. I bought one for $325, while another dealer wanted $490 for the same thumb!

 

[RayCo]

I found that the backhoe works pretty good without the thumb. I was able to move some large wood and telephone poles just by curling the bucket back against the backhoe arm.

Once I get my thumb installed and I get a trailer, I'll come down to your house for backhoe battles. Actually, it'll probably be my wife who does that since she drives through Spring Mount on her way to Harleysville every day, and she's more excited about Wednesday's BX24 arrival than I am.

 

[MOPAULY]

Once I get my thumb installed and I get a trailer, I'll come down to your house for backhoe battles.

works for me

 

[Snatchface]

I called a few local dealers. I bought one for $325, while another dealer wanted $490 for the same thumb!

Well that begs the question - Who was selling it for $325???