Just ordered "The Thumb"

[fruitcakesa]

After much deliberation, I decided on and ordered a 36 inch Thumb grapple to mount on my forks.
Once I have the unit on hand I can figure out the best way to modify the forks as some cutting and welding will be necessary since I have to reinforce the fork back board to accept and secure the mounting plate that they supply.

 

[Langanobob]

I have a Thumb mounted on my loader bucket. Took some figuring to get it set up but it works pretty good.

 

[Utopia Texas]

There are a few companies out there that sell thumb assemblies that just slide onto the forks and tightened with bolts. That way when you just need forks you slide the thumb assembly off and go on with your work. Sorry I cannot be of help in your situation but just wanted to inform others who cannot cut and weld metal at home.

 

[fruitcakesa]

There are a few companies out there that sell thumb assemblies that just slide onto the forks and tightened with bolts. That way when you just need forks you slide the thumb assembly off and go on with your work. Sorry I cannot be of help in your situation but just wanted to inform others who cannot cut and weld metal at home.

I looked at a unit that mounted like that and did consider it; but at twice what I paid for the Thumb, even with the necessary fork mods and knowing how much/little I will actually use it, made the choice easy.

 

[Chilliwack Murray]

Can you provide a link to what you ordered?

Thanks

 

[George2615]

Here's the link to the thumb I added a few years ago with pics of my fork mods and reinfocement.


https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/313144-added-thumb.html


Chilliwack, here's the thumb

 

[nybirdman]

Good choice;I made mine so I can remove with four bolts if necessary.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Can you provide a link to what you ordered?

Thanks

http://user1197575.sites.myregisteredsite.com/index.html

 

[rdl]

HLA & Cotech make this bolt on grapple. Both are in the 200 lbs range but very well designed.

HLA Attachments - Single Arm Log Grapple

Cotech

 

[fruitcakesa]

The thumb arrived yesterday, very fast UPS shipping.
I took it to my welder/fabricator friend Steve's shop and we discussed the modifications the fork headboard will need and
left him to it.
I am stoked to get this rig and will post pics when it's complete.

 

[fruitcakesa]

Played with it today:

 

[1930]

What made you decide to go this route versus a grapple? Not a huge difference in cost

 

[fruitcakesa]

What made you decide to go this route versus a grapple? Not a huge difference in cost

I initially thought about getting a grapple of some sort but during my research I came across this.
I decided, that while I can come up with any number of uses for a grapple, truth is I will primarily be picking up logs either for piling for firewood, holding a firewood log while I cut it up and occasionally to load logs on a truck to go to the mill. And I still have my pallet forks for regular use.
Price wise, all in with hoses/fittings and freight, I am under $700.