Thumb Thumb Rocks

jack44 · Apr 28, 2003

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 · Apr 28, 2003

another shot of the little hoe in action

ELMO67 · Apr 28, 2003

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 · Apr 28, 2003

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 · Apr 28, 2003

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 · Apr 28, 2003

Nice. Who makes the thumb?

jack44 · Apr 29, 2003

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 · Apr 29, 2003

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 · Apr 29, 2003

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

Rick Jay · Apr 29, 2003

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

dourobob · Apr 29, 2003

Go to the nearest auto wreckers and get the hood from and old car - usually the older the better 'cause there is more material in the older ones - turn it over, attach a chain, set the rock(s) on it and away you go - the slide factor is quite amazing. And it is even recyclable.

I am envious of the thumb and will be working on one for the Caddigger 821 my friend and I are building.

Bob

ELMO67 · Apr 29, 2003

Jack44- a stone boat works really well, I have used one " too much". Your 7500 should be able to pull quite a load, and it will be controllable, too. Of course since you mentioned that the rocks have to be moved downhill, the cheapest and maybe the most fun approach would be to simply PUSH!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Casimir · Apr 29, 2003

I think if you got a 1000 lb rock in your FEL or on forks, you would have a hard time lifting it or keeping the rear end on the ground, even with the hoe for ballast. It would also be awfully tough on the front axle of a 7500. The stone boat, whether made of wood or a car hood, keeps the weight off your tractor. My only concern with a car hood would be how steep your hill is. The hood may try to pass or slide up under your tractor, with some possibly interesting results /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif. A stone boat with wooden runners has some friction to keep it from getting moving too fast downhill, but still slides easy enough for your 7500 to pull it. You also may be able to load several rocks (unless they all weigh 1000 lb each) on each trip with the boat.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 29, 2003

1,000lbs., what size is that? 2 man or higher or what? There are many options, just depends on the situation. If you have room, get a large backhoe or loader, if you don't then, you have to become creative. I don't know rocks in lbs., not that good yet, but I'm okay with names like 1 man etc. If they're not that big, get an industrial bucket attachment for a skidsteer.

Blake
WA

hayden · Apr 29, 2003

Does it get welded to the dipper arm? CLose up pics of how it attached would be wonderful - thanks

jack44 · Apr 30, 2003

I will take some pictures of the thumb this weekend and post them on Sunday night. When I was picking the big rock in the picture I just used my stabilizers...no weight in the bucket. I am sure I would fell flat on my hoe if I would have dropped the stabilizers.

jack44 · Apr 30, 2003

The 2-man rocks is what I am having the hard time moving. They weigh 250 to 1000. The boat idea sounds OK....but getting the 1000 lb ones into the boat won't be easy. They make pallet movers that attach to the 3pt that I think would work well. Has anyone used those..??? Renting a big loader is another option...but then I would be admitting defeat...not ready for that yet.

Anonymous Poster · Apr 30, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Renting a big loader is another option...but then I would be admitting defeat...not ready for that yet.
)</font>

I don't think renting a large wheel loader is "throwing in the towel," but being smart. Not to be rude sounding, I just mean that it's the easiest way if that works for you. Why go through so much time and trouble and money when you can just rent the loader (yes, it's money but less time and trouble) and get it done with. What are you doing with those rocks? Are they on your property? Here's a close up of my boss's thumb.

Blake
WA

jack44 · May 1, 2003

I am building about 400 feet of rock wall using 1 man and 2 man rock. I actually bought a set of forks for my 3pt today. I tried them out tonight...they work great. Moved 15 to 20 big rocks down the hill to my staging area. It took me 30 to 40 minutes...and the little kubota didn't strain a bit.

dourobob · May 1, 2003

Great - I too would appreciate some close ups photos as my buddy and I are getting close to the fabrication stage for a thumb on our Caddigger 821.

Thanks
Bob