John deere 110 tlb thumb position help !!!

[zigmund]

I bought a thumb off ebay and i'm wondering whats the best way to install it so it works the best . should i go 90 degees to the dipperstick? or have it little past/before 90? as u can see in the pic it has 3 pin positions should i have the middle pin welded at 90? or1st or 3rd at 90
thanks zigmund
868

869

[digger242j]

First, welcome to the site!

I hate to admit it, but I've never used a thumb equipped machine, so I can't offer an answer. (Maybe it's cause I'm so good I don't need one. :bouncegri )

:rolleyes:


I have a question though--how many degrees of difference do you get from one pin position to another?

[zigmund]

im not sure, i,m going to wit until i put it on this weekend.

if you mostly dig and not much of other work.(trees stumps rocke demo etc....) u dont need a thumb.
but if u do a thumb is like the differance between a 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive.you can do twice as much in half the time. i was running a kamotsu excavater (about the size of a jd 690)for a contracter cleaning up a demo job with it and i couldnt believe how easy it was to sort through the debree i was able to pick up flatened soda cans
with it(no bull)
i do alot of tree removel and im going to start doing big rock walls so it will be a must.
also you dont beat up your dipperstick as bad pinching
things against it.
if you do more than dig 25% of the time get a thumb.
or rent a machine with one on and youll see what i mean.
:thumbsup

[Wulf]

Take a look at the pic and the webpage for how these guys mount them
http://www.rocklandmfg.com/excavator/mini.htm

I would tack it on and check its positioning before attaching it permanently and be careful with the welding process because you could damage the stick if the welds not finished right or the heat affects the adjacent plate too much.

[zigmund]

thanks wolf
what do you think would be a good rod to use 7014-7018-
6018 etc.....?? size rods and amps?
thanks again

[tuney443]

Zigmund--My homemade thumb is 90 deg. to the dipper but from your pics it seems you just move the pin around--yes? I was looking at your buy--it seems a tad lite for real heavy work or is it just a bad pic--can't really see the thickness of the steel?

[zigmund]

well,i was more thinking about when i mount it if i should
set at 90 on the the middle pin or at the first so i could open it wider if need be
its pretty heavy shipping wt was 70lbs its at least 1/2
inch or a little better. and it would be easy to beef if need be. for 300.00 i think its preety good jd hydro thumb
is 1500.00 at the cheapest and from what i understand its a piece of crap.and i dont have the time to make one right now.if this one doesnt hold up i guess ill have to make the time.:Banghead
thanks.

[Wulf]

thanks wolf
what do you think would be a good rod to use 7014-7018-
6018 etc.....?? size rods and amps?
thanks again

Sorry Zig... I'm not a welder but I've seen the damage that welding on sticks and booms can do.

Maybe someone else can offer advice?

[Dusty]

make sure u stich it on weld a little and go away or u willwarp the boom

[tuney443]

Zigmund--The old adage--"You get what you pay for" could'nt be any more true than right here.1/2" plate is not going to cut it unless you're going to pick up beer cans.My home-made thumb was built out of 2'' hardened steel with3/4'' mounting ears.I'vesqueezed anything and everything-in about 5 years it's still like the day we built it.Don't be afraid to cook yours to your dipper--you're not going to warp anything--how do you think it was formed in the first place?

[CascadeScaper]

Don't be afraid to cook yours to your dipper--you're not going to warp anything--how do you think it was formed in the first place?

I don't think that's entirely true. If welded on too hot it can damage the stick.

[Orchard Ex]

1/2" plate is not going to cut it unless you're going to pick up beer cans.
Hang on a second, the 110 is only a 43 hp backhoe. If it was made out of 2" you wouldn't be able to lift much besides the thumb...
No offense meant to your JD 110 here zigmund! It's a great machine - I have the Kubota version of it (L39) and I'd like a thumb for mine one day too.
Send us pictures when you get it mounted.
Steve posted a link to a welding web that may be able to help with the "how much heat / what kind of rod questions"

Regards all,

[Wulf]

I don't think that's entirely true. If welded on too hot it can damage the stick.

Thats right. The micro-structure of the steel plate can be altered in the heat affected zone. The way the welds are finished can also set up a stress point and initiate a crack. You shouldn't be scared to do it but get some advice.

[Squizzy246B]

Don't weld that thumb on with the plate as is. The weld will be perpendicular to the line of the stick and cause a problem. However, some sticks are "thumb ready" which means they are constructed with a thumb mounting point in mind. Do some research if you can.

If you can't find anything then you need to make a "fish plate". This is a stretched diamond shaped plate with the points rounded off. The plate is welded to the stick with low hydrogen mig (less heat input) and then your mounting plate is welded to that. It only needs one good single pass. The fish plate distributes the load and reduces forming a node or hard point in the stick.

Have a look around, I'm sure you will find a few examples of how this is done. And if you see one just welded on with a perdicular weld across the stick remember...just cause somebody else is getting away with it doesn't mean its right.

Ideally the fish plate should be the same or only a 1/16' thicker than the material the stick is constructed from.

[tuney443]

First,I never told Zigmund to use 2'' steel,I simply was comparing thicknesses.Second,I'm sure the 110 can handle that if it was mounted--we're only talking3-400Lbs. here.Lastly,if you know what you're doing,nothing is going to warp here and this is why a professional welder is in order here.