What length of thumb for a PT mini-hoe?

weaver · Mar 26, 2006

Is that tractor supply?

KentT · Mar 26, 2006

( 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 )

I don't think they're hardened steel or anything -- I think PT makes them themselves.

PT Phil (I think it was) broke some off his new mini-hoe. The factory welded new ones on it for free...

BillCroasmun · Mar 27, 2006

Sorry Weaver I didn't see this earlier. Yes I was referring to Tractor Supply Company.

DonStillwagon · Mar 27, 2006

I believe they use bucket edge material for the teeth - same thing is used for brush cutter blades - I made some new teeth out of a broken blade and welded them on. cut them with 4.5" angle grinder. Looks just like the original.

don

RegL · Mar 28, 2006

( I believe they use bucket edge material for the teeth - same thing is used for brush cutter blades - I made some new teeth out of a broken blade and welded them on. cut them with 4.5" angle grinder. Looks just like the original.

don )

That's interesting! If bucket edge material is something I can get locally, seems it would be pretty easy to fab. brush hog blades. How much does bucket edge cost?

weaver · Mar 28, 2006

I called power trac and the teeth were $3.50 a piece so i bought 4 and the teeth are made out of 1/2 or 3/8 bucket steel

KentT · Mar 29, 2006

Well, Gaetan from CDP went out of town for two weeks before I could get a thumb ordered from him. I ended up buying the 16" one off eBay for $232 delivered -- quite a bit cheaper than the price quoted from CDP.

Now, I have to try and get my friend to stop using the minihoe long enough to get the thumb and some reinforcements welded on... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

J_J · Mar 30, 2006

If the PT mini-hoe is made from thin wall tubing as someone has said. I would beef up the arm If the thumb from Ebay doesn't fit exactly, say, to go inside the bucket, he can cut off the end of the thumb, or reposition the bracket enough to fit. The thumb is useful even folded back. If you are there while he is welding, have him clamp it in place and go through the full swing, fold back function.