terramite backhoe thumb

[oldhippy]

Has anyone put a thumb on a terramite? Would love a picture. Thanks in advance big dan

 

[kthompson]

Noticed no replies.

Never have seen a thumb on a teramite but wonder, have you checked the lift capacity? You may find it does not have enough to add thumb's weight and then have any real lift capacity left. Just my thought, may be way wrong.

 

[oldhippy]

I have hooks welded to the back of my buckets for lifting stuff with chains. I know that lifting is pretty limited but would save the back. It would be nice to move crossties and such and place them pretty close to where you want them. But it may not be worth the effort. thanks dan

 

[Taylortractornut]

Ive cut some out on my pattern burner, I have several patterns that I made for different ones. I made one for a friends Allmand mini TLB and one for a olderTerramite. THey work good. I still have one I need to shipp to MarkV They dont take much away from your lift if use approriate materials and i make them to take off when not needed.

 

[oldhippy]

I live in the memphis area and would like to see the one you have built. I think that mine is the same as a older terramite, the quick tach bucket being the only difference. thanks big dan

 

[AustinVideoman]

Hey Everybody.
I'm a long time reader, and just decided to join the discussion. I followed many others as they discussed the thumbs on a Terramite. I finally decided on my path, and now the thumb is installed and fully operational. It is very cool. I can pick up massive cactus, really big stumps, and all sorts of other cool things. It will pluck bushes right out of the dirt....roots and all.


I realized the thumb placement is very important, so I needed to move it closer to the hinge point.

 

[mytonka]

Hey Everybody.
I'm a long time reader, and just decided to join the discussion. I followed many others as they discussed the thumbs on a Terramite. I finally decided on my path, and now the thumb is installed and fully operational. It is very cool. I can pick up massive cactus, really big stumps, and all sorts of other cool things. It will pluck bushes right out of the dirt....roots and all.
View attachment 459446

I realized the thumb placement is very important, so I needed to move it closer to the hinge point.
View attachment 459447

Hi Im a new member to.
where did you get your thumb ?
AND OMG WHERE DID YOU GET THOSE TIRES & RIMS THEY ARE AWSOM !!!
send sizes & supplier please.

 

[guy2073]

I am curious about your tires also, do they add much stability.

I have see thumbs on amazon for as low as $100

 

[the old grind]

:welcome: AustinVideoman and mytonka! (nice thumb, btw!)

Guys, AV's tractor doesn't look like a T5. Looks like a T7 from what I can tell. That said, wheel-bolt patterns aren't too oddball for any TMs that I know of, so switching rims/tires shouldn't be too difficult.

When you see a TM sitting 'low' in the rear, look closely at the wheels. Some guys swap truck tires/rims on for certain tasks or terrain.

If keeping o'all width isn't critical get creative, and don't rule out wheel spacers (and/or adapters) if they'll expand what options you'd have. (We're not pulling plows, and do our work 'on the pads')

 

[AustinVideoman]

Yep the old girl is a '96 T5C. Those are the original sized tires that came on that tractor.....or, so I thought. I googled Terramite T5C and see all the images that appear. Some have the giant, expensive tires I have, but others have thinner, but aggressive tread tires. Very cool. I have never run different tires, so I have nothing to compare it to. But, I have never got it stuck in mud...if that's saying anything. What size tires are you guys running?

 

[the old grind]

Mine are "Galaxy Super Tractor R-1" 9.50 x 16 6-pr. Since the rears match and are on the familiar triangle/disc rims I might assume they're OEM. IIRC my T5C is a '98 The tires were pretty rough when I bought it in '06, but still hold air.

 

[GTM Terre Haute]

Dan,
I have made a very simple one. Not sure how to post a pic of it. This is all I get when trying to insert an image. Please tell me how to post pic.
Geo

 

[AustinVideoman]

This T5C and backhoe thumb continues to amaze me. This lil tractor is a rock hauling and stacking rockstar.

 

[jheissjr]

Dan,
I have made a very simple one. Not sure how to post a pic of it. This is all I get when trying to insert an image. View attachment 489216View attachment 489216View attachment 489216 Please tell me how to post pic.
Geo

The thumb slides over the boom to bring the dipper closer. I like the idea. Do you have more pictures?

 

[mytonka]

CHEAP THUMB
I can't recall where i saw the post but I have installed a cheap homemade one on my T5C.

LIST
Box blade shanks with the(4)holes (2)
Bolts 1/2'' x 7'' (2)
Nuts 1/2" (self locking type) (2)
Fender washers 1/2'' (4)
Pipe 3/4'' x 4-1/2'' (2)

You can adjust the size of the bite up & down the dipstick by just loosening the bolts.
Because there are (2) thumbs it is more stable when picking things up.
It will move a little with heavy use due to the taper of the dipper stick but a weld/bolt would keep it in place.
I haven't been able to figure out how to send pictures but I can send an email if someone can post it.

 

[jheissjr]

It would be great to see pictures. Pictures can be added using the picture button.

 

[mytonka]

CHEAP THUMB PICTURES
Hope this helps a few of you who want a cheap heavy duty thumb.
I like it because if any part of it breaks it can be repaired from supplies from the farm store.
You may notice the pipe is acting as a spacer & to take up some room too.
I was considering welding some pipes along the dip stick to keep the thumb from moving around in heavy use & have adjustment along the dip stick.

Please let us all know if it worked for you & if you improved on it

 

[jheissjr]

Very nice idea!