TWIDDLING MY THUMB

[radair]

That's a good looking thumb.

Excavader - yes, the strut would come out to fold it back.

Here's another photo I grabbed off this site that I was using as a prototype:

 

[radair]

I made this cardboard mockup from a CAD drawing I did. I like how it seems to fit the BX. Those are 3/4" hitch pins, but I'm wondering if 1" are the way to go.

I bought some 1/2" x 3" bar stock and will use that. I have enough to make a few thumbs, so you might see some for sale if I ever get them done.

 

[escavader]

Thanks for the input so far guys,ive been printing out your pics,i like things about each.I can see where 45 might be better for picking up ,stuff up close,90 might be ok for extended pick ups.I think i might,weld a long piece of 4 inch channel[or clamp] on the dipper stick,and have the pin holes for both angles.I have just 3 bucket teeth,and my good width would be 4.5 to 5 inchs,to fall perfect between these teeth.If i use 4 inch channel,for my stationary ,the outsides of my fingers,would be 5 inchs,if i use 3/8 fingers.Its funny radair mentions,a cardboard cutout cause i did exactly that ,after leaving you last night,I sat on a pail,with a tape,in front of my hoe,and pondered for a while last night.I figured the best length for my fingers is 15 inch,that way i can fold it down,with the hoe in its stored position,and it also was a couple of inchs beyond my teethon my bucket.Now my friend on tbn,mentioned 90,i got to make sure its still going to cut it.Well heres my cut out.thanks keep the info coming
ALAN

 

[nobull1]

I would weld the 4" channel to the arm as opposed to clamping. Although your machine doesn't have quite as much curl strength as mine it could cause a problem. When I moved mine from my Daewoo to my Kubota I figured that a couple of strong passes with my mig would be fine I was mistaken. Remember it is not just the hydraulic power but also the weight of the item lifted. At the end of 8 hours after having welding mine on I peeled half of it off and bent it 90 degrees /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. Then I had it stick welded and it will not come off again. Remember this is a safety issue as well. Just something to think about later along in the project.

 

[escavader]

NO BULL,
I agree ,but im afraid i wont get it right at first and will have wished i had maved it or something
ALAN

 

[radair]

<font color="blue"> I figured the best length for my fingers is 15 inch </font>

Alan - you and I are on the same page, mine is also 15". And I also figured my width to be that same 4 to 5" (to fit between the BX bucket teeth, of course).

I am trying to find some deep channel that is 3", as my bar stock is 1/2" thick, giving me an outside width of 4" (hitch pins are 4-1/4"). The 1" diameter pins are 6" long, which may be a better way to go.

Where are you located in Maine? I'm just over the border in North Cornflake.

 

[escavader]

Im gonna cut mine out tommorrow after work on the plasma cutter.The stock im using is 4 inch,but after i wittle it down ,ill be about 3 .Im not gonna cater to those pins ,ill make my own if i have to.I want them fingers to fall exact between them hoe teeth.If you cut it to close,and you start getting a little slop ,in time,you might crush a finger.Im also planning a design that folds up with one pin,and nothing has to be removed from the tractor.I dont WANT to carry any thing else in my on board tool box.I want to take one step off the hoe,and pop in a pin and hitch pin and im operational.
I am in CHESTERVILLE,next town from FARMINGTON.lETS KEEP PICKING EACH OTHERS BRAINS ON THIS EVERYONE.We all know thumbs are great on hoes[that sounded x rated /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif]
ESCAVADER

 

[HomeBrew2]

I surely do wish youall all the best! We don't really get "winters" around here so every minute in the shop is a minute I could be making progress outside. For my use, my design is optimal ... one minute to install or remove the whole thing. I gave an AutoCad dwg to my neighbor and he made one in an hour and was on his BX moving rocks and logs before breakfast was ready. I do like the complexity of you're designs though /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Cheers!

 

[escavader]

OK ,HERES A PIC OF THE TRANSFER,ITS A LEG ,I ONCE HAD ON A HOMEMADE SPLITTER.1/2 BY 4.i WENT OVER THE MARKER WITH SOAP STONE AFTER,CAUSE I COULDNT SEE IT,WITH MY SHADE ON.
ALAN

 

[escavader]

hERES A PIC OF THE PLASMA CUTTER,IM GONNA CUT IT OUT ON.Iam a little shaky freehand with it,ive only been using it for a week or so,i always used torchs,yes ive been living the old school
ALAN