Thumb for Subcompact Tractor Backhoe. Need Advice

[traderfjp]

Hi,

I bought a LS LM125 today with front loader and backhoe. The dealer said he could put on a Titan thumb on my backhoe. He didn't indicate if it was bolt or weld on. I don't care as long as it's done right. I was on the Titan site and there were different sizes. I'm assuming the dealer will go with the cheapest one. Does the Thumb have to fit the backhoe bucket? (newbie here) Am I better off with a different brand.? I can still upgrade, etc. I have to make any changes in the next day or so. I am hoping to use the thumb to pick up rocks in my yard for landscaping. Search results for: 'thumb'

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I bought a titan thumb (bolt on) off of flea-bay for $125 about a year ago. I got a slightly larger one and had to add 2 plates to each side of the mount to get it to fit tight on the dipper stick. Wasn't hard to do, but I would suggest that you have the dealer install it. That way, if there are any problems, you can deal with them to fix the problem. Definitely worth the cost!

 

[traderfjp]

I bought a titan thumb (bolt on) off of flea-bay for $125 about a year ago. I got a slightly larger one and had to add 2 plates to each side of the mount to get it to fit tight on the dipper stick. Wasn't hard to do, but I would suggest that you have the dealer install it. That way, if there are any problems, you can deal with them to fix the problem. Definitely worth the cost!

Looks Nice. Do you think it would help lift rocks?

 

[GRTkub]

I'm not sure how the hydraulics are mounted on the LS tractors but on the Kubota BX25 I used to own, the thumb bracket moved and broke off a fitting on the dipperstick hydraulic cylinder. I bought the thumb off of eBay and installed it myself. Fit and function were good, but when I curled the bucket hard against the thumb, the brackets slid up the dipperstick. I didn't notice till I uncurled the bucket and broke off the fitting. After fixing the cylinder I cut and welded two 1/4" steel plates to each side of the dipperstick. You can see them in the attached picture. They prevented the thumb bracket from sliding. Never had a problem after that.

 

[traderfjp]

Very slick. Thanks

 

[AchingBack]

Hi,

I bought a LS LM125 today with front loader and backhoe. The dealer said he could put on a Titan thumb on my backhoe. He didn't indicate if it was bolt or weld on. I don't care as long as it's done right. I was on the Titan site and there were different sizes. I'm assuming the dealer will go with the cheapest one. Does the Thumb have to fit the backhoe bucket? (newbie here) Am I better off with a different brand.? I can still upgrade, etc. I have to make any changes in the next day or so. I am hoping to use the thumb to pick up rocks in my yard for landscaping. Search results for: 'thumb'

I'm very satisfied with my thumb. It was around $350.00 incl. shipping.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Looks Nice. Do you think it would help lift rocks?

Oh it definitely helps. As GRTkub stated, it's easy to apply too much pressure and break things. If you compare pics, I have mine mounted up higher on the dipperstick. This was to allow me to lift a bunch of railroad ties (kinda spaced it to grab them "square"). I also used it that way to grab bunches of brush out of a pile and put onto a trailer.

 

[GRTkub]

One more word of caution with the thumb on a small backhoe. It's really easy to twist the dipperstick. I found out the hard way when I picked up a log too far away from the middle. Once in the air, the heavier end twisted it pretty easily. I've graduated to a hydraulic thumb on my B2650 / BH77 but I've learned to be more cautious abut how I lift things.

 

[traderfjp]

One more word of caution with the thumb on a small backhoe. It's really easy to twist the dipperstick. I found out the hard way when I picked up a log too far away from the middle. Once in the air, the heavier end twisted it pretty easily. I've graduated to a hydraulic thumb on my B2650 / BH77 but I've learned to be more cautious abut how I lift things.

I'm new to tractors. I think the dipperstick is the part of the backhoe that sticks out just behind the bucket but not sure. Did the metal twist? Was the backhoe toast after that? Thanks

 

[shootemup604]

I have the bolt on thumb as well, with some shim plates welded to the dipperstick to make it fit and they have "ears" with holes for the thumb bolts so it can't slide. Very useful!

The dipperstick is the second part of the backhoe "arm", between the "elbow" and bucket.