Dougster
Veteran Member
I've got a Bradco 509 BH with a fixed thumb that I want to convert to hydraulic. Buying the fully integrated Bradco conversion kit is out of the question due to cost and complexity. I've added a second rear remote set for that purpose and for other needs... but not being integrated, there is some question about how to size and select the new thumb cylinder for: a) correct applied force and b) maximum physical strength and prevention of system damage or breakage.
Because the Bradco system is fully integrated into the BH hydraulics subsystem, proper design and controls prevent the hydraulic thumb hydraulics from overpowering and damaging the bucket hydraulics and vice versa. But with a completely separate control valve running the hydraulic thumb, this leaves some questions that even Bradco could not (or would not) answer about how to properly size and select the new cylinder.
Any thoughts on how you might approach this question are most appreciated.
Dougster
Because the Bradco system is fully integrated into the BH hydraulics subsystem, proper design and controls prevent the hydraulic thumb hydraulics from overpowering and damaging the bucket hydraulics and vice versa. But with a completely separate control valve running the hydraulic thumb, this leaves some questions that even Bradco could not (or would not) answer about how to properly size and select the new cylinder.
Any thoughts on how you might approach this question are most appreciated.
Dougster