Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[1hp]

this is the thumb kit used on my L12. had to make a bracket to get it to work. used 1" thick plate. 1" carbide hole cutter. it is 2" wide.

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[dfkrug]

this is the thumb kit used on my L12. had to make a bracket to get it to work. used 1" thick plate. 1" carbide hole cutter. it is 2" wide.

Pardon Our Interruption...

Interesting product you linked.

Not all the 1-tonish Chinese machines come with the brackets for the mechanical thumb. For the ones that do come with those brackets, they are positioned poorly for a hydraulic thumb. That is why I cut mine off and started over.

Also, any hydraulic thumb (as in the photos) that does not have something welded between the 2 teeth near the tips will eventually get bent.

 

[Fixastuff]

Why don’t these just use a longer bucket pivot pin and go on like a thumb is supposed to? Then you would only have to weld one thing onto the stick and it will work better.

 

[dfkrug]

Why don’t these just use a longer bucket pivot pin and go on like a thumb is supposed to? Then you would only have to weld one thing onto the stick and it will work better.

If you share the bucket pivot with the thumb pivot, the biggest problem will be breaking the 25mm pin. These machines use 2400psi hydraulics, plus a shared pin will need to be greaseable in 3 locations, if secured to the thumb.

You can certainly share the pin, but it really needs to be at least 30 mm diameter, and fully greaseable. That's my experience, from making hyd thumbs for numerous Prairie Dog backhoe attachments.

 

[1hp]

Not all the 1-tonish Chinese machines come with the brackets for the mechanical thumb. For the ones that do come with those brackets, they are positioned poorly for a hydraulic thumb. That is why I cut mine off and started over.

Also, any hydraulic thumb (as in the photos) that does not have something welded between the 2 teeth near the tips will eventually get bent.

the geometry is sub-optimal, but is works. did not want to take the plasma cutter to the new machine. will fine tune this winter. pulled a couple stumps & live trees this week.

 

[scutty]

I do not like the geometry on my thumb as it interferes with digging when the boom is extended. It needs cut and modified. I've already bent the thumb pretty bad so looks like the torch has to come out anyways.

I wrapped my exhaust with ceramic under the shield then wrapped the outside with self stick foil. This made a difference on keeping heat out of the house. at Night the whole inside of the exhaust was glowing bright orange. At least it should be burning anything off like a cat does.

 

[Carl_NH]

The thumb on the 4000Lb machines tuck pretty close to the boom, but the tines support were questionable so I welded 3/8" x 3" steel between the tines at the back and near the ends.

I have picked / moved 20"+ size rocks with no issue or bending.

 

[1hp]

welded doubler plate & eye on bucket.

 

[mike0000]

welded doubler plate & eye on bucket.

Looks good, I can see how it could be useful to have.

 

[1hp]

replaced hour meter with multi-gauge & battery tender socket. also rewired ignition with one from my old JD160 lawn tractor. left battery cutout.