Thumb for L3400 w/Woods 7500 Back hoe?

UWAdventurer · Mar 3, 2012

I am thinking about a thumb for my tractor and am looking for recommendations. I am not familiar with thumbs at all. For me at this time money is very tight, but I want something that will last.

Swiftriver · Mar 3, 2012

I had a manual thumb put on my Kubota when I bought it and it is handy. A hydraulic one would be much better but I don't make a living with my tractor. The best use I have found so far is holding tree length firewood hip high so I can cut it stove length. SO much easier on the back. Of course it's also useful for moving stumps and rocks.

UWAdventurer · Mar 5, 2012

Anyone have a Hounddog BT75-SH mechanical thumb? Looking for reviews on it.

Thanks.

teg · Mar 6, 2012

This one here? Looks pretty heavy duty... http://www.michironandequip.com/p/Hound-Dog-Backhoe-Thumbs

UWAdventurer · Mar 6, 2012

That is the one I am looking at. Trying to talk the little woman out of the money for it. I am hoping to get enough out of her to purchase the hydraulic kit for it also. If not I can add the hydraulics later. Would be nice to get it all done at once though. Seems like decent pricing on it.

You have any experience with thumbs? I just got my L3400 w/back hoe and FEL last summer, it was used. Traded my L2950 w/FEL. The back hoe is great, but I am still learning. My grandson loves it, he thinks it is a video game I think. Blew a couple of hoses right off the bat, but that is to be expected with a used unit. It has been maintained well through the Kubota dealer.

Thanks for looking at my post and responding teg and Swiftriver. Any help is appreciated.

teg · Mar 6, 2012

Well, hydraulic thumb is one price... plumbing it to the tractor is another!!! It adds another $125 on the thumb but you have to have a spool/valve to run it and *that* can get into several hundred bucks. It's convent but at a cost...