Thumb hydraulic thumb for BH90

[davygp38]

After months of research, I finally pulled the trigger on a new Kubota L4400, with FEL (quick tach) and BH90 hoe. I also ordered the Markham 60" light duty grapple. My question is, Is there a Hydro thumb kit designed for the BH90? I realize that anything, can be done, with enough money etc, But after all this time, of making sure, I could afford to get exactly what I want/need for my own particular situation, I would like to do it right, from the git go. The dealer claims that they are working on it. he even went so far as to claim that one of the after market manufactures was at their dealership, working on a thumb kit for Kubota hoes. Any info would be appreciated.

 

[spo307]

congrats I am about to pull the trigger on the sane machine, got it with 4 in 1 front bucket quick detatch good luck

 

[nickel plate]

After months of research, I finally pulled the trigger on a new Kubota L4400, with FEL (quick tach) and BH90 hoe. I also ordered the Markham 60" light duty grapple. My question is, Is there a Hydro thumb kit designed for the BH90? I realize that anything, can be done, with enough money etc, But after all this time, of making sure, I could afford to get exactly what I want/need for my own particular situation, I would like to do it right, from the git go. The dealer claims that they are working on it. he even went so far as to claim that one of the after market manufactures was at their dealership, working on a thumb kit for Kubota hoes. Any info would be appreciated.

Does Kubota manufacture their own backhoe attachment or is it subed out to another implement producing firm? "BH90" sounds possibly re-badged from perhaps the Woods Equipment line of backhoes. I just installed my new(blue) Woods BH90-X backhoe WITH the optional hydraulic thumb. If you can look at a Kubota BH90 backhoe, check the left side floor plate area and you might see besides the several round drain holes, two rectangular holes near your left toe placement area. They are for the optional two hydraulic foot pedal controls.
Woods also offers paint colors for all the major tractor manufactures. Only their BH90-X Groundbreaker has the optional hydraulic thumb. Their smaller models offer a mechanical thumb.

 

[davygp38]

Kubota does manufacture their own Backhoes. In fact, if you go to the woods site, they compare the BH90, with the BH90x. I love the machine, but it seems like Kubota is getting very independent. this is the second machine I bought from them, and got a " this how we do things, take it or leave it." attitude. I realize that you are thinking this is a dealer issue. However the salesman I dealt with tried to accommodate me. He was very open about some of the options kubota had to offer, and let me know he thought some were a ripoff. It seemed like he was at war with kubota on several points. For example, I got the 1.99% furnacing on 60 months, but the fine print tells you that it is only available on "new Kubota equipment." Thats why I do not have a woods hoe on the machine. The plumbing kit for the third function valve was $1000 installed. The dealer did it themselves for $470, by ordering the factory control valve, and plumbing it out themselves. Labor was free. I was insulted by that price, and made it clear that it was a potential deal breaker. Hence the dealer had to eat some of the cost. Anyway,I know a lot of dealers monitor these sites so I hope someone will give me a lead. on a hydraulic thumb

 

[IslandTractor]

You can obviously work to find a custom hydraulic thumb but it will be costly. Before doing that, have you considered whether you really need a thumb at all or whether a mechanical one would be sufficient. I have a similar set up to what you have (Kioti DK40se, Woods 90x, light duty grapple) and I find that I rarely use my mechanical thumb because it is just faster and more efficient to use the grapple for most of the things that you'd use a thumb for. There are some specific tasks where a hydraulic thumb would be great (building a rock wall for example or running a logging operation) but for most other tasks either the grapple or a mechanical thumb would be sufficient. A grapple is a much better tool for dealing with stumps for example. I would, based on my own experience, not even order a mechanical thumb in the future.

 

[davygp38]

To be honest no, I am not sure, that a mechanical thumb might not be enough. I based my decision to go with a Hydraulic thumb on the premise, that I wanted to set up the perfect (for me) machine, from day one out of the box. I had run into situations where a thumb would have been a life saver. The problem with a thumb like the brotek, was it seemed like it took a long time to get it in place IE, adjust the top link. Then you have to get it out of the way when you've gotten that big rock out of the hole, etc.
I have to admit, The markham Grapple is a much better unit, than I thought it would be, and I am sure it will be a real asset for lot clearing. However I haven't even used my new machine yet 1.6 hours on it. I know, I know, I might be better off trying out my set up first. I'll let you know. In the mean time, some other options on a thumb, (Mechanical, or otherwise,) would be appreciated.