Backhoe thumb on jd 448 backhoe

Davo · Jun 18, 2006

I have a jd 448 backhoe and would like advice on how far down the arm to weld the thumb. i have a picture that may help. i hung it up there with straps for the picture.
thanks

alaskanjdeere · Jun 18, 2006

Can you tell me were you bought your thumb? i'm looking for one for my Jd48BH The picture looks like its in the right position to me... But I'm no expert. Thanks

dubba · Jun 18, 2006

Is that max curl for your b/h? IMHO (which probably isn't right), I would want the ability to at least completely close the bucket against the thumb. I'm not real familiar with the fixed position ones, is there more than one position you can fix it in?

Davo · Jun 19, 2006

yes there is more thatn one position. i had a buddy weld it on today and we went too low. oops. i couldn't close the bucket fully with it installed so i had a bit of grinding to do. i bought mine from a buddy and will get you the info if you want. i paid around 500 bucks for it and it's a 2 position thumb.
thanks for the help
Dave

gordon21 · Jun 23, 2006

Can you post the source info on the mechanical thumb along with another pix that shows the top mounting bracket? My new #7 hoe is supposed to be very similar to yours, except it is smaller.

Davo · Jun 24, 2006

i sure will gordon. look for it after the 4th of july.
Dave

Davo · Jul 13, 2006

Here is the part number I promised you Lewis. it is called a UTA 100r thumb. I just spent the last 1/2 hour trying to find you a web site for it and failed. sorry. i got it from my JD dealer in Nashua, NH. It sold for about $550. Good luck
Dave

slaveToHorses · Jul 14, 2006

gordon21 said:
Can you post the source info on the mechanical thumb along with another pix that shows the top mounting bracket? My new #7 hoe is supposed to be very similar to yours, except it is smaller.

You do want to be carefull. The 448 hoe is the same as a 447, only a little longer. The 447 is the 3rd generation of the #7 hoe and is very different.
I had both for a while. The dipper arm on the 447/448 is a full box whereas the arm on the 7 is more of an H and is of different dimensions.
This is the best photo I can find of both side by side, sorry it isn't more of a closeup of the hoes themselves.