GC1710 Backhoe stabilizer pads and thumb

madhatter · Apr 15, 2015

I found out my new GC1710 does not come with rubber stabilizer pads anymore. And they are not cheap from Massey ( hundreds of dollars ). As well, I heard that the new CB65 backhoe has a spot for a factory Massey mechanical thumb. Could not find a picture or part number online though. Going to price it out at the dealer, I know there is Bro-tek aftermarket thumbs, but I like that I can buy a factory one. :thumbsup:

Kevin Krieger · May 3, 2015

madhatter said:
I found out my new GC1710 does not come with rubber stabilizer pads anymore. And they are not cheap from Massey ( hundreds of dollars ). As well, I heard that the new CB65 backhoe has a spot for a factory Massey mechanical thumb. Could not find a picture or part number online though. Going to price it out at the dealer, I know there is Bro-tek aftermarket thumbs, but I like that I can buy a factory one. :thumbsup:

Let me know what you found out on the thumb. A part number would be great.

madhatter · May 4, 2015

Kevin Krieger said:
Let me know what you found out on the thumb. A part number would be great.

I ordered the mechanical thumb, pads for my backhoe stabilizers and rollbar light guards like the GC1720 has. I got the part numbers from the online AGCO parts book. Will let you know when I get them.

kaymaxi · May 6, 2015

Interesting! I spoke with Massey by email last week and was told no thumb was available for the CB65. Glad to hear their info was out of date as I'm hoping to pull the trigger on a GC1710 this week and really wanted a thumb. Lack of it almost had me going green or orange instead.
Thanks!

p.s. did you order these parts online or through a local dealer?

madhatter said:
I ordered the mechanical thumb, pads for my backhoe stabilizers and rollbar light guards like the GC1720 has. I got the part numbers from the online AGCO parts book. Will let you know when I get them.

Ed of all trades · May 6, 2015

Could you use blown off recaps from big trucks. You know the "gaters" as the truckers call them that you on the highway. Cut it in pieces and put two layers on each stabilizer.

madhatter · May 6, 2015

kaymaxi said:
Interesting! I spoke with Massey by email last week and was told no thumb was available for the CB65. Glad to hear their info was out of date as I'm hoping to pull the trigger on a GC1710 this week and really wanted a thumb. Lack of it almost had me going green or orange instead.
Thanks!

p.s. did you order these parts online or through a local dealer?

Yes I did. They did not know about them either. I happened to check the AGCO parts book and saw them listed. Very new product so supply may be an issue. I did wonder why there was the hole on the CB65 hoe arm, now we know ! :thumbsup:

kaymaxi · May 6, 2015

Awesome! Thanks very much for the reply. After reading your post I hunted around the AGCO parts book and found them. Do you mind me asking what you paid for the thumb? PM is good if it violates forum rules to post prices. Also, do you mind sharing link to online parts retailer? I couldn't find any that could find any of the parts #s for the thumb assembly.

Thanks again!
KM

madhatter said:
Yes I did. They did not know about them either. I happened to check the AGCO parts book and saw them listed. Very new product so supply may be an issue. I did wonder why there was the hole on the CB65 hoe arm, now we know ! :thumbsup:

madhatter · May 7, 2015

kaymaxi said:
Awesome! Thanks very much for the reply. After reading your post I hunted around the AGCO parts book and found them. Do you mind me asking what you paid for the thumb? PM is good if it violates forum rules to post prices. Also, do you mind sharing link to online parts retailer? I couldn't find any that could find any of the parts #s for the thumb assembly.

Thanks again!
KM

Not sure exactly how much it is,around 400 I think. And there is no online parts retailer that I know of. I physically went to my local dealer.

kaymaxi · May 9, 2015

That's not too bad. Thanks! I will be visiting the dealer tomorrow and will check in on availability. Having the parts #s already should make things easier, so thanks again for the tips on where to find them. I hope your thumb arrives soon!

Cheers,
KM

papageorgio · May 14, 2015

Hello, Long time Lurker. First time poster! Just ordered a GC1720 after a LOT of research on this site and test driving SEVERAL machines. I should have it within a week or so! Dealer had a few 1710's on the lot which i was able to drive but opted for the little bit of extra STUFF on the 1720. Kind of a lot of money for the little differences but I figure it's hopefully a 1-time purchase. Cant wait! I was also interested in ordering the factory thumb but I cant seem to find a picture anywhere. I'll need to go to the dealer and look at the book but does anyone know what it looks like? Is it a good design? Looks like Agco has the catalog online but you need a dealer login or something to see it. Anyone have any idea? Madhatter, did they give you an ETA? The BXpanded and Bro-Teks look sufficient, but the CB65 has the mounts so I figure I'll use it. Thanks!

irvingj · May 15, 2015

Welcome to TBN! I suppose you went to New Boston T&E? Seem like nice folks there. (About a 70-mile trip for me.)

papageorgio · May 15, 2015

Yes. That is where i went. Not a lot of options for massey around here but theyve been very pleasant so far. I feel fortunate that i live in an area where i was able to see all of the different machines! Just need to see what that thumb looks like and put this thing to work!
George

madhatter · May 20, 2015

Here ya go. Haven't used it yet but I must say, it's pretty cool that Massey has a factory mechanical thumb now. Install went ok, bit of trial and error as the instructions were brutal. Cost wise, the thumb is actually not bad for the quality and the design. The stabilizer pads however, I feel are a bit of a rip off. My rubber pads on my GC2310 were 4 times as thick and came WITH the tractor and these were not cheap. Will post again once I try the thumb....

mguitas · May 20, 2015

Nice to see there making replaceable teeth for the bucket. Because at one time they didn't.

papageorgio · May 20, 2015

Looks GREAT! Very nice. I'm expecting my machine to be delivered any day now so I think I'll pull the trigger on that thumb. Thats too bad about the stabilizer pads though. I'm not planning to be working on pavement much but someone mentioned truck re-caps. Thats a good idea too. (And my friend owns a trucking company so even better) I'd love to know how the thumb works out for you. I'm also looking to get some clamp on pallet forks for moving larger rocks to build some walls. Has anyone got any recommendations for forks? The ones with the bars in between seem like a good idea to keep them from splaying out. Thanks for sharing your pics!

George

irvingj · May 20, 2015

I agree-- replaceable teeth on the backhoe seems like a good idea. Mine are welded on, but so far (with pretty minimal usage, I'll admit) seem to be holding up well.

And the thumb with the spaced-apart teeth also seems like it would be useful; I have the Bro-Tek thumb, which has dual "teeth," but they're spaced more closely together, only about 4" apart. Let us know how your stuff works out!

ijk

AxleHub · May 24, 2015

I'm curious about the use of stabilizer pads for backhoe purposes.

1. What size do they need to be?

2. Are they used always or just for concrete/blacktop/gravel ?

3. What do they cost to purchase?

4. I assume they are thick rubber ?

madhatter · May 24, 2015

AxleHub said:
I'm curious about the use of stabilizer pads for backhoe purposes.

1. What size do they need to be?

2. Are they used always or just for concrete/blacktop/gravel ?

3. What do they cost to purchase?

4. I assume they are thick rubber ?

1. Thickness ? These are about 3/4"
2. I actually use them on my lawn as well, hold the tractor fine and doesn't rip up the grass. But I think they are meant for concrete or pavement
3. They were around $300.00
4. They are metal, encased in rubber.

AxleHub · May 24, 2015

madhatter said:
1. Thickness ? These are about 3/4"
2. I actually use them on my lawn as well, hold the tractor fine and doesn't rip up the grass. But I think they are meant for concrete or pavement
3. They were around $300.00
4. They are metal, encased in rubber.

I have an alternate idea for those who don't want to spend $300.00 (or at least not $290).

For about 9 years now . . Whenever I want to isolate floor area from vibration or moisture . . I use rubber "tiles". They come 16" × 16" in a choice or 5 or 6 colors. They can be cut with a miter saw or table saw . . But be prepared for smoke and smell when you do it. Thickness is 3/4 inch . . Very solid and durable. They take alot of abuse . . But they don't tear and are very dense pliable rubber.