Extendahoe Thumb?

[toivo1037]

Looking for some pics of a JD 310c w/extendahoe that has a thumb on it, preferably mechanical. Actually, any extendahoe thumb would help. I am trying to figure out how to attach one to my machine. The available mounting area just seems to be too short. Buying an expensive manufactured thumb is not in the cards.

 

[bearmtnmartin]

is that one where the inner stick slides out? They are a pain, but I have had two of those and had thumbs on both of them. You don't get much angle on the support, but it still works. just make it plenty strong. I made mine so that the thumb formed a channel that wrapped around the outer stick. It tucked up really nice that way. There is one out there that uses the extendible stick to open and close the thumb. Its pretty neat too. Another thought if you have a QC and hammer lines is to buy a jaw bucket. I might go that way with my new hoe.

 

[toivo1037]

Ya, the extenda-stick slides inside the dipper. I think there is about a foot to work with, just wondering if that will be enough. The folding back is going to be a pain, as the dipper seems really big. I will try to to get a pic this weekend.

I saw that that thumb with the attachment on the dipper, allowing you to slide the extendahoe in and out for an adjustment. Seems possible. If I go that route, I will probably make 2 attachment points, one on the extendahoe, and the other on the dipper.

 

[bearmtnmartin]

A foot sounds like plenty. I had maybe 8 -10 inches on my New Holland. One thing about the older extend able sticks is they are not that strong. I snapped the one on my Cat. It was a $6000.00 dollar mistake. But I was building a lot of rock walls at the time so I was always picking up too much weight with the thumb. Nice thing about a hydraulic thumb is that you are somewhat limited in how much you can pick up.

 

[Kays Supply]

My boom was plumbed so I went with the grapple bucket. I love it.

 

[Builder]

My boom is plumbed and I have the cab controls for a hammer or hydraulic thumb.

What did you pay for the plumbing from the boom to the end and what did you pay for the thumb if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks.

I have a few dozen 80-100' tulip poplars to take down and I'm going to need a grapple.

 

[Kays Supply]

If your asking me, the fittings to connect the grapple were about $15 each. The grapple came with hoses. The only other expense was I had to make the mount for my quick tach. This was actually a bucket for a mini walk behind skid loader. I paid $750 +or- and freight. I found it on Ebay. They have several different sizes. Mine is 27" wide. They had a 36" and I think a 48". I can look up the web page if you are interested.

 

[Builder]

Great, thanks!

 

[Kays Supply]

I found the page, MANUFACTURER OF QUALITY SKID STEER ATTACHMENTS. I had them leave the mini skid steer mount off and put a flat plate, so I could build from there. I couldn't be happier with it. I had a buddy watching me move brush the other day. He couldn't get over how it would crush the brush with it's jaw as I would load it.

 

[Builder]

That is really sweet. I think my only option is a backhoe size grapple bucket with a thumb built into it working off my aux hydraulics.

I can't imagine the price of one.