J_J
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What length of thumb for a PT mini-hoe?
- Thread starter KentT
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OP
KentT
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JJ,
I asked two different eBay sellers if they could make them in 12.5" lengths.
With that length and 3 different pin settings, I should be able to adjust to go inside the bucket or to meet the teeth... if it is at 90-degrees it would meet the teeth, but angled slightly forward, it would go inside the bucket.
That's what I'm hoping to be able to set up, any way -- just like yours... even with the thumb folded back, you can still curl the bucket to grab things against those teeth...
One of those sellers is CPD from Canada -- isn't that where your kit came from?
I asked two different eBay sellers if they could make them in 12.5" lengths.
With that length and 3 different pin settings, I should be able to adjust to go inside the bucket or to meet the teeth... if it is at 90-degrees it would meet the teeth, but angled slightly forward, it would go inside the bucket.
That's what I'm hoping to be able to set up, any way -- just like yours... even with the thumb folded back, you can still curl the bucket to grab things against those teeth...
One of those sellers is CPD from Canada -- isn't that where your kit came from?
J_J
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Yes, that is correct. Don't you think you could build this yourself? His kit is laser cut, and you could cut it down to fit exactly the way you want. It fits together very well and is easy to weld. If you are going to weld this together, let me know and I can offer some hints.
J_J
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One other thing, you could even add a hyd cylinder to make it into a power thumb.
OP
KentT
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JJ,
CPD replied that he can make one 12.5" long from his plans, for $229 plus $45 shipping/handling.
I don't have tools (or skills) to either cut or weld it, so I thought that if I had someone cut it (based on their CAD drawings) that the alignment and geometry might work better, and save me from (a) buying steel I don't need and then paying someone to cut it off, and (b) then paying someone to "experiment" until they got the geometry correct before welding it up...
He's going to email me more info...
Though a hydraulic thumb would be nice, since I don't have an available circuit and control (without more modifications) I think I can live with the limitations of one that you can manually adjust...
Thanks for all your help and insight! I have about a dozen "needs, wants and future projects" and far too little $$ to make most of them happen... but, that's nothing new! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
CPD replied that he can make one 12.5" long from his plans, for $229 plus $45 shipping/handling.
I don't have tools (or skills) to either cut or weld it, so I thought that if I had someone cut it (based on their CAD drawings) that the alignment and geometry might work better, and save me from (a) buying steel I don't need and then paying someone to cut it off, and (b) then paying someone to "experiment" until they got the geometry correct before welding it up...
He's going to email me more info...
Though a hydraulic thumb would be nice, since I don't have an available circuit and control (without more modifications) I think I can live with the limitations of one that you can manually adjust...
Thanks for all your help and insight! I have about a dozen "needs, wants and future projects" and far too little $$ to make most of them happen... but, that's nothing new! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
J_J
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You might try and mention that I recommended CDP to you and that I had bought a backhoe and thumb kit from him and maybe he will give you a discount, and that you are willing to spread the word on his wonderful products.
Sedgewood
Platinum Member
<font color="red"> I wonder if the lighter weight of my PT-425 will prevent stressing the mini-hoe like yours? The PT pucker will likely set in before I can stress it too much going up or down -- it's the twisting, side (lateral?) forces that concern me most... </font>
That's very likely the case. I think mine for the 1845 is just yours tacked to an 1845 QA and as such is not beefy enough.
Lateral side to side hasn't been a problem on mine. Twisting, as in grabbing the end of a log and dragging it, has been though - the bucket mounting brackets, the bucket links, and even the sides of the bucket on mine are now bent. Some beefing there might be in order. You can see in my earlier picture that the bucket has been reinforced and I still bent it again. It's hard for me to master that delicate touch - I'd much rather yank, tug, push, and jerk. Can ya tell? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Sedgewood
That's very likely the case. I think mine for the 1845 is just yours tacked to an 1845 QA and as such is not beefy enough.
Lateral side to side hasn't been a problem on mine. Twisting, as in grabbing the end of a log and dragging it, has been though - the bucket mounting brackets, the bucket links, and even the sides of the bucket on mine are now bent. Some beefing there might be in order. You can see in my earlier picture that the bucket has been reinforced and I still bent it again. It's hard for me to master that delicate touch - I'd much rather yank, tug, push, and jerk. Can ya tell? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Sedgewood
Rip
Platinum Member
I have a brand new Lackender mini-hoe (with 1845 size PT mounting plate factory installed) with bucket curl cylinder, 2 buckets and thumb that I have never used.
This unit is made for a skid steer and is MUCH heavier than the PT model for the 1845. I would guess that the tilt arm on a PT would be the weak link long before anything on this hoe would bend or break. Would probably be fine for any of the red machines, but too much for a 425.
I simply have too much solid rock where I had digging projects and even a CAT 426B had a hard time. Had a CAT 312 here for my new garage and should have had a 320!
Also have new 18 cu ft light material bucket for 1845 that would be fine for mulch or dry manure, but is too much for gravel or damp dirt that I have to deal with.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
This unit is made for a skid steer and is MUCH heavier than the PT model for the 1845. I would guess that the tilt arm on a PT would be the weak link long before anything on this hoe would bend or break. Would probably be fine for any of the red machines, but too much for a 425.
I simply have too much solid rock where I had digging projects and even a CAT 426B had a hard time. Had a CAT 312 here for my new garage and should have had a 320!
Also have new 18 cu ft light material bucket for 1845 that would be fine for mulch or dry manure, but is too much for gravel or damp dirt that I have to deal with.
Let me know if anyone is interested.
weaver
Bronze Member
Off the subject of a thumb, i have a 9" minihoe have any of you guys broke any teeth and what did you do for a replacement. the tractor store around only have very large backhoe teeth. I was going to cut some 3/8 plate steel and grind it to a tooth and weld it back on the bucket. Would this work or is the orginal teeth heavy duty steel
BillCroasmun
Gold Member
Do you have a local TSC close by? They have some small indivdual teeth (not sure for what) that looked to be about the right size for a small bucket.
