Thumb worth it?

[jmac]

I am thinking of spending $ 1000 on a thump for my Hitachi EX60 16000 lb machine. I do not have third valve so it will be manual. Any down falls from this it is 250 lbs can you tell the difference with it on. Does the thumb get in the way at all. Will it really make me more money?
Thanks.

[2004F550]

I only have hyd. thumbs but I can say they definatly cut your time down and allow you to do more

[woberlin]

I put a manual thumb on my PC-75 last fall, and had the same concerns as you. The added weight doesn't really seem noticeable, and it really doesn't seem to get in the way. Although a hydraulic thumb would be great, the manual gets the job done, and makes many jobs alot easier.

[jmac]

Tell me some jobs that you could not do with out a thumb

[woberlin]

If you plan on doing any kind of demolition work, and loading it into a truck, you almost have to have a thumb. I remove alot of large stumps when prepping most lots, and move tree tunks, and large logs. Not impossible without, but sure makes the job easier, especially when loading into the truck. Also as many others here say, if you move or place large rocks and boulders a thumb is a must.

[jmac]

I ordered it today but have a welding question;
I own a 215 Lincoln mig welder and a 250 buzz box stick in AC only.
Haun said that I would not be able to weld this on because the steel is AR400 steel. Is this true? The instructions say to use a 7018 rod for stick. Can I use this with AC and what amps? Can I use my mig for this. Plate is 3/4". Any help would be great!! Thanks

[rino1494]

We do alot of lot clearing, digging stumps and loading them in trucks and stacking logs. With a thumb, I can do it all alot faster and safer than without.

[CT18fireman]

I have used a thumb for lifting logs and stumps but I also found it useful when moving and placing large rocks or boulders.

[Ford LT-9000]

If you don't have the proper welder to weld the thumb on have a welding contractor to come and do it for you. A thumb sees a pretty good beating you need a good and strong weld on the stick or you may run the risk of snapping it off.

To weld a 3/4" thick plate onto the stick you will need to use 5/32s 7018 or use what we call a suit case wire feed it runs a heavy wire it requires a gas powered welder to run it or a electric welder with the proper contactor control switch.

A buzz box is only good for 6011 and 7013 and max 1/8 rod you really need a DC machine to weld with 7018.

[jmac]

From what I have written do think my 215 amp dc/ac mig welder we do it and what size wire would I need at what amp. I do not think the supply shop was correct.

[Ford LT-9000]

I don't know all I weld with is stick I don't use wirefeed welders.

Before you weld you will have to clean the area on the stick up really well with a grinder or if you have access to a hand held sandblaster or one of those cheapies you get from sears blast all the paint off the area where the plate will go. Then weld the plate on the weld should penetrate the steel you may want to blast the plate the thumb is attached to if its been painted.

[CT18fireman]

A 200 amp mig is usually good to weld 3/8" on a single pass. It can be done if you grind bevels in and run a good deep, slow first pass followed with overlapping passes. I would prefer you used a 250+ amp in mig or stick. Custome hitches and Attachment I feel are better done with a heavy duty stick welder.