Backhoe Hydro Backhoe Thumb on 2465

[natem]

Was looking into getting a thumb for my kioti 2465 backhoe. Found that Michigan iron makes a hydro one, and manual. The hydro looks like the way I would like to go. Just dont know if it will be able to work with this backhoe and tractor, and how complicated it would be to install the hydraulics. Didn't know if any one has done this yet, or not??? I am planning to call them and get some more info on it.

 

[Gil Case]

Call them, Bob at MIE is a prince of a guy and will walk you through the process. Their service is great. I have the manual thumb on my 2465 and find it very useful. I am not sure the hydraulic one would improve the usefulness on a small BH like ours. However, only you know what you want to do with it.

 

[JonKioti]

I second Gil's comments. Those guys know what will fit and how it will fit on your machine.

Let me know how you make out; my 2465 is in the works.

Jon

 

[natem]

Talked to them today, found that it is possible to hook up a hydro thumb but would cost around a grand. I think the manual thumb will do the trick for around $310.00 shipped.

 

[Gil Case]

Your my kind of guy $1,000 Hyd vs $300 and a little effort----I always go with the $300.
Although, the older I get the easier it gets to expend money rather than effort.

 

[JoelD]

My thought would be a hyd thumb on a small machine would be a lot of stress on the hoe.

I went with manual.

Joel

 

[CurlyDave]

I paid more than $1800 for my hydraulic thumb, but think it was well worth it.

I can simulate what a mechanical thumb would do by setting the thumb in one position, and while that beats the heck out of no thumb, it is not nearly as good as the hydraulic.

Two things to think about:

1. Every time I dismount, especially on broken, rocky ground, which is where I will be using the thumb, there is a chance for a slip & fall accident. Adjusting a mechanical thumb is always going to be a little dangerous.

2. If I am moving rock for an appearance application, it is a lot easier to avoid scarring the good face of the rock with a hydraulic thumb.

 

[JoelD]

Maybe because I've always owned mechanical but I've never adjusted mine, it is either on or off.

Joel

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Maybe because I've always owned mechanical but I've never adjusted mine, it is either on or off.

Joel

Joel over 2 years later do you still find you are doing fine with the manual thumb?

 

[VTFireftr]

last summer when I started looking for a thumb, I originally was going to to do just a mechanical thumb.

After talking with MIE, and looking how easy it would be to convert to a hydraulic thumb, I opted for the hydraulic unit.

If I rememeber right, it was only about $400 more for the hydraulic kit. And since I was traveling cross sountry, I was able to stop in and see everything in person, and ask all sorts of questions. Also, I didn't have to pay the shipping costs.

Installation was very simple and took about 2 hours. The kit has everything included. I did have a small issue once I got the thumb installed, but the great people at MIE worked with me over the phone to resolve the issue (bad quick disconnect couplers).

I haven't looked back since.

Marc