Backhoe hydraulic Thumb for JD TLB 110

[Proactiveeng]

Hi All, new to the forum, so this is my first post.

I recently purchased a fairly new JD TLB 110 for personal use. Looking to install a hydraulic thumb on the backhoe and read some of the other posts, but had some specific questions as follows:

is Pin mount or welded mount better?

I have a 16" bucket but would like to go as narrow as possible with a future bucket. how narrow can I go and how will that match up to my thumb?

recommended manufacturers of aftermarket thumbs (saw that JD's unit might be soft).

thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[Glen Watkins]

Any Excavator with a thumb that I ever used was welded but you just pulled a pin and hyd. cylinder to take it off. Just a bracket welded to the stick remained. I hate the things myself!

 

[Proactiveeng]

why do you hate them Glen?

 

[Glen Watkins]

It is probably a non issue for you. I do road construction. The first machine I was in that had one was years ago and this thumb would settle constantly and rattle! You had to constantly hit the pedal to keep it opened tight. Thumbs have there place but it is not on an Excavator digging around utilities. Another one I had to run the thumb was removed but the mount was welded to the boom so instead of a nice smooth face on the stick you have this nice steel mount to be wary of. Little things maybe! I got used to buckets on backhoes and excavators with out thumbs.

 

[jenkinsph]

Most of the thumbs require the wider buckets, I know that the 12" bucket doesn't work with the thumb. Some like the thumb and think it is important to have, I have no need for one on my backhoe.

IMO I would put that money towards a grapple bucket for the fel.

 

[CurlyDave]

I have an Addington thumb on my 110 TLB.

I have the QA bucket on the hoe, and the way the thumb attaches is that the pin the bucket pivots around is replaced by a longer one so the bucket and the thumb pivot around the same pin. The length of my new pin is 14" and the bucket must be wide enough so the trench you dig is at least as wide as the pin. A 16" bucket is the practical minimum for this. A 12" bucket will still fit on the QA, but you are going to be constantly dragging the ends of this pin, and the grease zerks on it, through the dirt as you dig with the narrow bucket.

The hydraulic cylinder that closes the thumb must be attached to the dipperstick. This is done with a welded-on bracket which allows the end of the hydraulic cylinder to be attached with a pin.

I am convinced that the Deere thumb mounts in exactly the same way, so your only choice is a thumb which is both pinned and welded.

I like my thumb and it adds greatly to the usefulness of the hoe in being able to pick up rocks, logs, etc. I see almost no detriment. Mine looses pressure slowly and maybe every 30-60 minutes I have to re-open the thumb if I want it out of the way for digging. Not a bad deal IMHO. I have set innumerable rocks for retaining walls and landscaping, as well as getting unwanted ones out of all kinds of places, and it is a real labor saver.