Thumb worth it?

[IslandTractor]

I. I've just picked up a kit to convert my thumb to hydraulic and can't wait to start using it. it. .

Vic

Where did you get the kit? Does it include controls as well as the ram? How much was it?

I've looked into just acquiring the pieces separately as it is not such a big deal to find an appropriate ram and the hoses are trivial. The bigger issue is whether to try to do a foot control (and where to get one) or just set up a simple open/neutral/closed valve to be run by hand. For daily use the foot control would be real nice. For the amount I would use mine I'm sure I could manage with the hand control.

 

[powerstroke444e]

One of the guys that runs my B26 said on the 1st day we got it that it was a waist of money and in the way after using it he is the biggest fan of thumb. Hard to imagine using a hoe with out one now.

 

[vic4news]

Where did you get the kit? Does it include controls as well as the ram? How much was it?

I've looked into just acquiring the pieces separately as it is not such a big deal to find an appropriate ram and the hoses are trivial. The bigger issue is whether to try to do a foot control (and where to get one) or just set up a simple open/neutral/closed valve to be run by hand. For daily use the foot control would be real nice. For the amount I would use mine I'm sure I could manage with the hand control.

I have a Woods BH80-X which originally only came with the mechanical thumb option. They now offer a hydraulic version and I bought their conversion kit, which comes with all the hoses, a valve, the cylinder and the foot control. It was expensive. I paid $955 at MB Tractor, which is where I originally bought my tractor, but they also had the lowest price on the kit. I'm sure you could do the conversion cheaper, but I really wanted the foot control.

The kit looks top quality. All the hoses are sheathed just like the originals. All JIC fittings and the foot control and mounting plates are 1/8" steel.

 

[RobKinNH]

I have a Woods BH80-X which originally only came with the mechanical thumb option. They now offer a hydraulic version and I bought their conversion kit, which comes with all the hoses, a valve, the cylinder and the foot control. It was expensive. I paid $955 at MB Tractor, which is where I originally bought my tractor, but they also had the lowest price on the kit. I'm sure you could do the conversion cheaper, but I really wanted the foot control.

The kit looks top quality. All the hoses are sheathed just like the originals. All JIC fittings and the foot control and mounting plates are 1/8" steel.

You wouldn't happen to have the p/n for that kit would you? I have the same BH80X with mech thumb and wouldn't get a BH without the thumb.

 

[ManAtArms]

According to the Kubota website, the price to add on the L45 hyrdo thumb is as follows:

Remote Valve Kit For Backhoe Mounted Attachments $1,752.00
Backhoe Thumb $1,993.00
total $3745.00

That's list price.

I might be missing something here. I'm not sure if there is an additional charge for dealer installation.

-Mark

 

[vic4news]

You wouldn't happen to have the p/n for that kit would you? I have the same BH80X with mech thumb and wouldn't get a BH without the thumb.

part #1031115 HYDRAULIC THUMB CONVERSION KIT for BH80-X

If you go to the woods website you can download the installation manual and see what is involved in installing the kit. You have to do some cutting on the console as well as drill two square holes.

 

[newbury]

I have a Woods BH80-X which originally only came with the mechanical thumb option. They now offer a hydraulic version and I bought their conversion kit, which comes with all the hoses, a valve, the cylinder and the foot control. It was expensive. I paid $955 at MB Tractor, which is where I originally bought my tractor, but they also had the lowest price on the kit. I'm sure you could do the conversion cheaper, but I really wanted the foot control.

The kit looks top quality. All the hoses are sheathed just like the originals. All JIC fittings and the foot control and mounting plates are 1/8" steel.

PLEASE document and photograph the heck out of your installation and post it!

I've the 70X w/ thumb and would love to put on a hydraulic control, even if it was jury rigged as a hand control.

Woods documents both the BH80X and BH70X thumbs as the same item. http://www.woodsequipment.com/workarea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=17359

 

[fortpp1]

I would like to thank everyone for the replies. I will be going for a thumb. I'll likely go with the Kubota model but I'm going to squeeze the dealer for a better price.