Hyd thumb and 12" bucket--Compatable???

[Carl Bert]

I was recently told that my Hydraulic thumb may not be compatable with a 12" bucket. The 12" bucket is too small for the thumb and does not line up correctly. Possible damage can happen to the thumb or even the dipper arm.

I know nothing about this nor did my dealer mention anything about it when selling it to me.

The only thing that I can imagine being a problem is how the thumb and the buckets teeth meet. Maybe the thumb is supposed to fall inside the bucket, as I would imagine it would do on a larger bucket.

Here are some pictures:

 

[Carl Bert]

Thanks for all the input guys

 

[Lil_FarmerJim]

I'm no expert mind you, but that looks like it should work just fine. The teeth don't appear to clash in your photo's. Looks like it will work rather well actually.
:thumbsup:

My Woods is only a Mechanical thumb and it works well with the little bucket I bought to go along with the 16 inch one.

 

[magicheater]

Looks good to me also. Guess it is more what YOU like and what works for you. How often do you use it?

 

[Carl Bert]

Looks good to me also. Guess it is more what YOU like and what works for you. How often do you use it?

Hardly ever. I just want to make sure that when I do use it, I won't damage anything. Thanks

 

[SteveCornell]

Carl,

I have a BH90 with the mechanical thumb and 12" bucket, the only problem I encounter is when ditching deep the thumb mounts are wider than the bucket so in hard ground you have to widen the ditch to get deeper, the only thing that I can see this will damage is premature wear to the mounting ears that the thumb shaft goes into from contact with the sides of the ditch.

 

[J_J]

There is the potential for the bucket to over ride the thumb cyl, or vice verse. A relief could be installed to relieve the thumb or bucket if there is a possibility of damage. Depending on the lever principle, and the forces applied, the pressure in one of the cyl could be elevated beyond the limits of the cyl or hose/fittings.

Which is the stronger of the two? Can you push the bucket with the thumb?

Does your BH valve have work port reliefs?