I have a manual thumb for my machine, I like it better than hyd because it is a little quicker & easier to take off the machine. I know that you can fold up a hyd thumb(seems to get them almost out of the way), but the weight is still there, and that cuts back on your bucket size, so I would rather just take it off when i'm not useing it. Now if somebody made a quick coupler for a hyd thumb, that would be really slick.
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Thumb?
- Thread starter MVFD
- Start date
RT Engineering
Active Member
I have just bought a new mini excavator, a JD 50D. I do not believe I will put a thumb on this machine. I would rather have a bigger bucket and not need to swing the weight of the thumb.
However I have found a manufacter of a self contained grapple. This way I can sort, and pick up brush, rocks, etc. but when I am done, I just switch back to a bucket. Then the thumb is not in my way.
Here is the link to the self contained grapple:
mcfaulkner.com/self-contained-hydraulic-grapple.asp
RT
However I have found a manufacter of a self contained grapple. This way I can sort, and pick up brush, rocks, etc. but when I am done, I just switch back to a bucket. Then the thumb is not in my way.
Here is the link to the self contained grapple:
mcfaulkner.com/self-contained-hydraulic-grapple.asp
RT
mike69440
Well-Known Member
Nice, It makes me wish I had a quick coupler for that 500 LB bucket of mine.
DirtHauler
Senior Member
I would say that most excavators should have a thumb. Exceptions being those that are on mass excavations that would suffer from the extra weight of the thumb, limiting the amount of material that can be scooped... but if your on that big of a dirt moving operation, you likely have several hoes on the jobsite and one of them is gonna have a thumb on it.
RadioFlyer
Member
thumbs
I have a 18,000 lb machine and the weight of the thumb is 180 lbs plus the weight of the cylinder. I personally could not live without it and do not really notice diminished capacity when loading material. The added advantage overall is well worth the extra weight. In fact, I am in the process of upgrading from a direct link thumb to a progressive link set-up to gain more value in degrees of rotation. This is essential for the type of work that I seem to get. The only disadvantage that I can see is that the progressive link system is wider at the base than a direct link set up. I have often contemplated and wondered how a helac power-tilt and powergrip set-up would serve me, but in the end - for what I do and the work I get at least a direct link thumb is a must.
I have a 18,000 lb machine and the weight of the thumb is 180 lbs plus the weight of the cylinder. I personally could not live without it and do not really notice diminished capacity when loading material. The added advantage overall is well worth the extra weight. In fact, I am in the process of upgrading from a direct link thumb to a progressive link set-up to gain more value in degrees of rotation. This is essential for the type of work that I seem to get. The only disadvantage that I can see is that the progressive link system is wider at the base than a direct link set up. I have often contemplated and wondered how a helac power-tilt and powergrip set-up would serve me, but in the end - for what I do and the work I get at least a direct link thumb is a must.
freedom digger
Active Member
The thumb we built does sound heavy around 600lbs but with it folded back it doesn't have the same leverage weight as a bucket extended.I really haven't had any issues with what I can move for dirt.
What I can say is that I can get hold on rocks far bigger than I could without a thumb.
One piece of advice is that it is just as important to have your thumb fold as far back as it can as well as rotating forward. You need to be able to reach the bucket out to its full extention without the thumb hitting the ground before the bucket.
There are to many things that you need to watch out for while operating without adding any more.:usa
What I can say is that I can get hold on rocks far bigger than I could without a thumb.
One piece of advice is that it is just as important to have your thumb fold as far back as it can as well as rotating forward. You need to be able to reach the bucket out to its full extention without the thumb hitting the ground before the bucket.
There are to many things that you need to watch out for while operating without adding any more.:usa
coondogger1
New Member
hyd. thumb
I just installed a hydr. thumb on a komatsu pc-27. the auxilery valves were in place. My question is. Is there a relief vale that can be added and if so where? My concern is be able to hold presure on the thumb against the bucket with out worrying about preasure build up. thanks The ccondogger.
I just installed a hydr. thumb on a komatsu pc-27. the auxilery valves were in place. My question is. Is there a relief vale that can be added and if so where? My concern is be able to hold presure on the thumb against the bucket with out worrying about preasure build up. thanks The ccondogger.
DirtHauler
Senior Member
There should be a safety valve already in place the will limit the max pressure in any of the hydrolic system. Generally I like the thumb set a little lower than the bucket so that the bucket can overpower the thumb should there be some reason that they are both at max pressure.