Backhoe Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

[montelatici]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

Ok, I think I get it. The fixed thumb is inexpensive and appears to not affect the use of the BH when attached and folded away. A must buy. But, I think I will be using the loader more often and being able to pickup and carry stuff around with a grapple seems a bit more useful. Can anyone point to a grapple that will work well with the LA240 Loader (BX24 Loader)? I would prefer a kit with hoses connectors etc. designed for the BX and preferably bolt on rather than having to weld.

 

[caver]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

Just a note on the Bro-Tek thumb. I haven't had bird1969 make me one yet for my Rhino 65A but Rhino/Alamo gave their blessing if I mounted a Bro-Tek unit to my backhoe. I was concerned about warranty issues if i mounted one.

Brad

 

[Volfandt]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

Can anyone point to a grapple that will work well with the LA240 Loader (BX24 Loader)? I would prefer a kit with hoses connectors etc. designed for the BX and preferably bolt on rather than having to weld.

Try one of this site's sponsers, ATI Corp. I'm not sure but I believe theres a member or two here that have these grapple kits on their BX's.
ATI Corporation - Grapple Kit Images

I've also been thinking on either fab'ing one up or going with a piecemeal kit. My thinking, which can be very dangerous , is that I could save some $$$'s by going with an electric actuator over going with a std electric diverter valve and hydraulic ram and it's additional associated hose assembly's that come with a full hydraulic grapple solution. Course I haven't taken it past the "thinking" stage yet but non-the-less I'm thinking 'bout thinking about it
Good luck

 

[HomeBrew2]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

... going with an electric actuator ...

I agree completely. A grapple just used to hold a load is the perfect application ... no shock loads.

 

[Tom_H]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

VOLFANT,

Is your thumb a Bro-Tek?

Has anybody used both brush forks and a grapple together on a BX FEL, or any other tractor for that matter? If so, what were the pros and cons?

 

[dfkrug]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

DISadvantages of a b/h thumb? Only the cost.

A thumb will likely double the usefulness of a backhoe AND it
can actually assist in certain types of digging. I have spent
may hours operating fixed mechanical, articulated mechanical, and
hydraulic thumbs and they are great. Experience will tell.

My avatar shows a photo of a rented Cat 315 excavator, which I
hired to backfill a 20' retaining wall. It needed its hydraulic
thumb to hold dirt in the bkt at the limit of its reach.

 

[Volfandt]

Re: Can anyone explain the disdavantages of buying a "thumb" for the BX24 backhoe?

Yes, it's a Bro Tek.

Has anybody used both brush forks and a grapple together on a BX FEL, or any other tractor for that matter? If so, what were the pros and cons?

I don't recall seeing both on a BX but I recall seeing a few pic's on a couple larger machines.

Most of the BX sized machines I've seen w/a grapple also use a toothbar. You get the serious digging/rooting power of the toothbar plus the teeth stick out far enough to get under larger limbs, rocks, etc., making it easier for the grapple to grasp them.

Course if one could come up with a quick attach way of using brush forks along with a grapple on a BX tha would be the way to go