Backhoe [RPMS] how little is enough?

[JoelD]

Thumb attaches to dipper stick and let's you have something to clamp things I'm between it and the bucket when you curl the bucket

 

[Buggs67]

FWIW I use 1800 for BH operations and anywhere from 2200-2600 (WOT) for FEL work and moving around.

My tractor is smaller than most here at only 24.5 hp so that may account for difference. I wear earmuffs when operating so engine noise isn't a factor.

And when doing BH work at 1800 I seem to use little fuel.

 

[Xfaxman]

--------. What is a back hoe thumb? That's a new term for me.

More pictures: Click

Mine made from two ripper teeth.

 

[4570Man]

Thanks 4570 man. I use to have on of those. Traded it for a welder I needed. I've always regretted it. What is a back hoe thumb? That's a new term for me.

Here is what I use my thumb for. The thumb is a piece of metal for the bucket to clamp against. Some of the nice thumbs are hydraulic controlled, but few people have those on tractor mounted backhoes.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Here is what I use my thumb for. The thumb is a piece of metal for the bucket to clamp against. Some of the nice thumbs are hydraulic controlled, but few people have those on tractor mounted backhoes. View attachment 457362

What is the old saying about never going back, well if you ever use a hydraulic thumb, you will never go back to a fixed or manually adjusted one. I can pick up anything from hen egg sized to maximum lift sized rock or other object and never leave the seat to adjust anything. Between picking up and digging, you have to move the thumb so it lays against the dipper stick and out of the way so a fixed on has to be constantly adjusted. In my soil there is always a rock(s) encountered that sometimes need to be picked up and moved so the thumb is always used. Hydraulic ones are costly to install but worth every penny especially if you are physically challenged for getting on and off the tractor.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I thought Wet stacking was the result of running a Diesel at little load. I did not know that RPM had a bearing on it.

OP As a stingy German, just be glad you don't own a Manheim Built JD!

 

[ron45]

JoelD I have something like that but it has an arc of teeth about the size of your thumb shaft, it's also bent in an arc with the inside of the curve facing the boom and bucket. I should have gotten it just from the word thumb. Hands are much more useful with one of those. Thanks a bunch for the pic.

 

[K Arno]

Run my tractor near full power for PTO driven tasks like running the snowblower. Just picked up one of these: Backhoe Thumb Excavator Bolt on Universal Claw Tractor Attachment Kubota Deere | eBay

 

[Buggs67]

Run my tractor near full power for PTO driven tasks like running the snowblower. Just picked up one of these: Backhoe Thumb Excavator Bolt on Universal Claw Tractor Attachment Kubota Deere | eBay

I was interested in this also but it's max dipperstick width is 3 1/4" and mine is 3 3/8"!!

 

[MossRoad]

For what its worth, when I had my IH2500b, which was a 50hp HST tractor loader, the operator's manual specifically stated to run it at PTO speed all the time. This was for a couple reasons. One being proper cooling of the hydraulic fluid. Too low of an RPM and it heated up the fluid too much while not forcing it through the cooler fast enough, which decreases internal component and fluid life. Another reason was braking response when driving. Not brakes, but hydraulics in the tranny. You know, when you let off the direction pedal on an HST tranny, it stops the tractor without using brakes. The manual specifically mentioned that. Other reasons listed were response time of the FEL controls, 3pt lift, and draft control.

But, that all may have been specific to just mid-70's IH HST tractors. Consult your operator's manual and see of it says anything about engine RPMS.