Mechanical backhoe thumb

[LS Tractor Owner]

Just installed a Titan backhoe thumb. Had to cut two 1/4" thick shims to build out the dipper stick, but then it bolted right on. Can't wait to try it out this weekend.:cool2:

 

[ThirdMan]

Looks sharp! What do you plan to use it for? The limited swing angle seems like moving things with the backhoe would have limited use.

 

[TractorGuy]

You might want to slide it closer to the bucket. I have a weld on and I set mine where the teeth intersect at 90 degrees. I have to pivot it back for stump digging.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Looks sharp! What do you plan to use it for? The limited swing angle seems like moving things with the backhoe would have limited use.

My main purpose is to pick up brush piles and load onto a trailer. Basically reach into the pile, grab a bunch and move / put onto trailer. Some piles have been sitting for 4-5 years....rattlesnake havens...

Other use will be to pick up and move some railroad ties.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

You might want to slide it closer to the bucket. I have a weld on and I set mine where the teeth intersect at 90 degrees. I have to pivot it back for stump digging.

I originally had it lower, but that limited the space I had between the bucket and thumb. I set it higher up so that I could grab a 'fatter' bunch of brush. I can move the teeth forward (towards the bucket) so that just the tips meet in order to 'pinch' also. I may move it down after I play with it a bit. Do you have a pic of yours?

 

[TractorGuy]

I originally had it lower, but that limited the space I had between the bucket and thumb. I set it higher up so that I could grab a 'fatter' bunch of brush. I can move the teeth forward (towards the bucket) so that just the tips meet in order to 'pinch' also. I may move it down after I play with it a bit. Do you have a pic of yours?

Careful picking up too much weight from the back end. Filling the front bucket full of dirt helps if your steering gets light.

A thumb on the front bucket would be more useful for moving piles but rigging the hydraulics seemed too much for me to do on my backhoe. I may still endeavor into that one day.

 

[chas0218]

Did you end up trying your thumb? how did it work for you? I'm needing a thumb to grab bedrock pieces off my shore line to move them to the back of my property. They are broken into pieces I can move by hand but not pick up so I was thinking the hoe could easily pick them up.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

The thumb worked out great for picking up a large pile of brush and placing it in a trailer. Then used it to take RR ties off of a trailer, then place them for driveway / landscape beds. Unfortunately, I ended up selling the thumb with the tractor last spring.
I did not get one for the new tractor yet, I was waiting for LS to finally get the factory one out to dealers. My dealer now has them in stock and I will probably order one next month. They are a little more than the bolt on type ($330), but there are factory tabs already on the BH for it, and the bottom mounts to the bucket pin. The factory one can also be easily converted to hydraulic powered.

 

[chas0218]

Good to know I'll go that route then. I would rather have a factory one than something all hodgepodge onto it.

 

[Avenger]

I'll probably add a hydraulic cylinder to my mechanical thumb soon. I find that I am lazy and will not get off the tractor to adjust the mechanical thumb if I dont really need it. My only issues would be adding the hydraulic control valve. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[Diggin It]

My only issues would be adding the hydraulic control valve. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

I won't be doing that even if I ever decide to add this type of thing, but I wonder if an electric actuator would work.

 

[ptsg]

I'll probably add a hydraulic cylinder to my mechanical thumb soon. I find that I am lazy and will not get off the tractor to adjust the mechanical thumb if I dont really need it. My only issues would be adding the hydraulic control valve. I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

Maybe a diverter valve on the curl cylinder circuit? Or on the dipper cylinder circuit, so you could still close the bucket and thumb at the same time.

 

[chas0218]

Maybe a diverter valve on the curl cylinder circuit? Or on the dipper cylinder circuit, so you could still close the bucket and thumb at the same time.

You might be able to come right off the main feed, there is a ton of room under the platform.