Thumb for 757c?

lhfarm · Jul 11, 2005

I had a chance to spend some seat time on the TC40DA with the BH this weekend. I had taken the BH off Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to the good advice here, I got it remounted in about 20 minutes working by myself.
The task at hand was/is cleaning cattails around the edge of our two ponds. As you can see, I've got my work cut out for me - lots of seat time ahead! These are coming out in "clumps" and a thumb would be extremely helpful. I've tried searching for a 757c specific thumb, but didn't find anything.
Any 757c owners with a good thumb experience?

Thanks!

Slippy · Jul 11, 2005

If I were you, I'd hire that job out. I have a large pond and getting those things out is a real job. Becareful you don't put a hole in the bottom of your pond bed and get water leaking out undergroung. Another reason to hire it out. Good luck.

lhfarm · Jul 12, 2005

Cleaning the pond banks was my "reason" for needing a BH /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. The ponds are over 40 years old and the bottom is packed Indiana clay. Great stuff for making ponds. Terrible for farming. I plan on taking my time and I'm being very careful. I am sure a professional could have it done in a couple of days. I am really having fun and learning a lot about handling the BH.

I am getting good at just going deep enough to catch the cattail roots, bring up a good size root system with plenty of decomposed material. I need a thumb to make the job of getting the whole ball out of the water easier.

tawilson · Jul 12, 2005

I've been batting around getting a thumb for my 758c. I just stopped at my dealer, and he had a mechanical he'd gotten for someone else. It was around $900 and looked like it was a generic type to fit on any machine. I don't know what the brand was. It was built solid, but with all the steel I have sitting around, I think I would build something myself first. He's got my woodchipper on consignment for me, when that sells maybe I'll spring for one, or at least buy the parts to build a hydraulic one. Anysway, to answer your question, I doubt that you'll find one made specifically for a 757c, you'll probably find one to match up with the size of your bucket.

lhfarm · Jul 12, 2005

Ouch $900 seem way out of line. I'll look at some of the generic models discussed on the board. I was trying to avoid welding on the BH. Thanks for the info.

BadDog · Jul 12, 2005

I tried Googling for 'clamp-on backhoe thumbs'. Here's one result:

http://www.guestind.net/Thumbs%20Bulletin.htm

I called them and they wanted $3,200!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I checked around elsewhere and couldn't find anything less 'heavy duty'... A small thumb for a 757 or 759 (I have a 759) would be a great addition.

I'll be watching this forum to see if anyone else has a better idea...

pekabu · Jul 12, 2005

I don't know of any specific thumbs for a NH bh. There was a TBN discount on a generic thumb. TBN Thumb discount

BadDog · Jul 12, 2005

Called a good equipment dealer I know in PA about this. He recommended http://www.cpbuckets.com ... they have a model 005 weld-on thumb for $800 that should work on the small NH 75X stick.

These things are made out of T-1 steel and should last a lifetime... that's also why they get pretty pricey...