Thumb Thumb Rocks

[jack44]

Woods 6500 backhoe with thumb was delivered on Friday. This little hoe rocks. Checkout the pic....once I got the thumb set right it grabbed this 800 to 1000 lb rock with little problem.

 

[jack44]

another shot of the little hoe in action

 

[ELMO67]

WOW!!!! That is just what I need! Is it subframe mount or 3 pt. hitch, what size rig do you have, and approx. how much?

 

[jack44]

I have a B7500. I went with the sub-frame mount and have it running off my tractor hydraulics. It has amazing power. I picked that rock up and others just like it...and the hoe didn't even grunt. The hoe with thumb was 6k. I live in Gig Harbor, Washington and it seems as though we are always higher priced when it comes to tractors and parts.

Now I have to find a way to get those 1000 lb rocks down my hill to where I am going to build my wall. I am using my FEL and a chain...but there has to be an easier way.

 

[Casimir]

Sounds like you need a "Stone Boat" -- basically a heavy wooden sled that you can set the rock(s) on, and then drag it behind the tractor to where you need to set the rocks off. Should be able to make one with 2 or three 4"x4" runners, beveled like sled runners, with 2"x4"s or 2"x6"s across the top to set the rocks on. You may want a short "fence" around the boat to keep the rocks from sliding or rolling off prematurely. Couple of eye bolts through the outside runners to hook the chain to, and off you go. Farmers used to pull them behind horses when picking up rocks from their fields. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[hayden]

Nice. Who makes the thumb?

 

[jack44]

Gannon makes the thumb...same as the bucket. It cost 600 extra to get it installed. It has 3 positions...one that is out of the way, and 2 that help you lift. So far I really like it. We will see how it goes when I start building the wall.

 

[jack44]

Wow that sounds like a pretty tough way to move 1000 lb rocks down a hill. Someone told me about clamp-on forks for my FEL....or forks that attach to the 3pt.

 

[JimD]

COOL!!! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Rick Jay]

jack44,

I've got a Woods 7500. Can you show a couple of pics of the thumb and how it connects to the hoe. I think I just might put one of those on my wish list. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Did you have weight in the loader? The reason I ask is that I once picked up a "small" rock, probably about 200-300 lbs. with my backhoe and carried it with the hoe to another spot. My loader was empty and I could tell the front was mighty light.

Thanks,

~Rick