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Titan weld on thumb install.
- Thread starter NH575E
- Start date
Tinkerer
Senior Member
I hope a 36" is a heavier assembly. I can say I never abused this thumb. Engine idle speed only when using it.
It certainly is a disappointing attachment so far although it does function well.
It certainly is a disappointing attachment so far although it does function well.
Tinkerer
Senior Member
I'm reviving an old thread with an update on my pos thumb. After all the work and time it took to beef up and repair the holes for the pins, the arm on it has bent. I picked up a log, but didn't have the thumb centered on it.
The arm looks better in the photo than it really is.
I now have a new extreme duty thumb welded in place. Time will tell if it will hold up to the job it was designed for. It has turned out to be a very expensive and disappointing ordeal for me.
The arm looks better in the photo than it really is.
I now have a new extreme duty thumb welded in place. Time will tell if it will hold up to the job it was designed for. It has turned out to be a very expensive and disappointing ordeal for me.
greg9504
Well-Known Member
Sorry to hear about your thumb troubles. It does look a little on the weak side (your old one). FWIW here's a few photos to show how mine is constructed. The sides are 3/4" AR400 plate. The bigger cross tube is ~2.5" outer diameter, the smaller one (at tip of thumb) is ~ 2" outer diameter, the pivot pin (at the bucket) is 30mm. The mount for the upper end of hydraulic cylinder (thats welded to the stick) is made from 3/8". The lower mount on the thumb is 3/4", on the 2.5" tube. Overall width is 14". I've had this thumb for 5 years now. No problems. It is manufactured by Showetime Fabrication (www.showtimefab.com) out of Minnesota. At the time cost was ~ $1200 US including cylinder and shipping (within USA). I just used it the other day to move some maple logs...
Tinkerer
Senior Member
Awesome thumb ! Tooo pricey for me tho.
Beautiful dog ! Unless its a male dog. Then he is a handsome bugger !!
Nice video to !
The thumb that I bent was fabricated from 3/8th inch steel pate. The new Extreme Duty (I hope) is fabricated from 5/8th plate. It has 1 1/4"diameter pins. It weighs 128 lbs.
Beautiful dog ! Unless its a male dog. Then he is a handsome bugger !!
Nice video to !
The thumb that I bent was fabricated from 3/8th inch steel pate. The new Extreme Duty (I hope) is fabricated from 5/8th plate. It has 1 1/4"diameter pins. It weighs 128 lbs.
greg9504
Well-Known Member
Thanks Tinkerer, he's going on 13 years soon.
Looks a lot better than the old one. Hope it works out.
Looks a lot better than the old one. Hope it works out.
casey518
Well-Known Member
Deon,
Looking to make a similar setup with the thumb using Titan's 36" thumb on my JCB.
The thumb seems very heavily built for one that is cheaper than dirt (literally cheaper than a load of dirt). JCB's extra dig design however poses a few installation challenges. I guess I have a few options.
The first is to weld the thumb bracket to the outer dipper as low and close to the bucket as possible. The outer dipper however does not come very close to the bucket so the bucket and thumb will not meet in a parallel fashion (see pic).
Not crazy about this setup but it uses the brackets as intended.
The second option I'v considered is to swap the long bracket for the shorter thumb storage bracket (same gage steel and width) so that I can get the thumb pivot much closer to the bucket pivot by welding it to the inner extending dipper instead. Sound like a good Idea or should I stick with the installation as Titan intended? Thanks
I think if you go with your second option, you'll eventually tear something up. You are essentially tying your inner and outer dippers together with the diagonal arm. If you accidently extend the dipper, something is going to give. If you could come up with a really beefy, longer mounting plate that would move the lower pivot point closer to the bucket, it might work. It would be cantilevered out there, so I don't know if you could make it strong enough.
Tinkerer
Senior Member
I like this one even better !
Notice that it is a hydraulic operated thumb compared to the Amulet in the video above this one.
Notice that it is a hydraulic operated thumb compared to the Amulet in the video above this one.
Last edited:
Swetz
Senior Member
I gave the amulet some thought, but man they were spendy! They look as though they would work well though. If I remember correctly, one member on here commented that they are not too heavy duty.
casey518
Well-Known Member
Those are both waaay nicer. But out of my price range. I paid $246 shipped for the 36" titan mechanical. I figured at that price I'd make it work.There is a design from RSL in england I looked at but it was over $1000 and I dont think they shipped to the US. It has a friction pad that hangs over the dipper and braces against the extender.
Attachments
Tinkerer
Senior Member
The problem with a fixed thumb is that the tractor has to be moved so that the thumb will be in a good position to pick up anything without gouging the ground with the bucket teeth.
If you are too close the rock or log will roll in front of the bucket because the thumb is to high from the ground.
They are also in the way when you want to dig around tree stumps and other in-ground objects.
I am seriously considering converting mine to hydraulic.
I would use a diverter valve on one of the stabilizer circuits.
If you are too close the rock or log will roll in front of the bucket because the thumb is to high from the ground.
They are also in the way when you want to dig around tree stumps and other in-ground objects.
I am seriously considering converting mine to hydraulic.
I would use a diverter valve on one of the stabilizer circuits.
casey518
Well-Known Member
I wondered about that. That's why I was curious to hear more about how Deon's design has been working out. The dippers have a locking pin, but I guess you would have to be good about using it.
casey518
Well-Known Member
Well I welded the 36" Titan on today. I used the storage bracket with a piece of pipe welded inside of it for the thumb pivot. I pinned the extender and bumped it to max extension before welding. So as long as its pinned the dipper cant extend at all. Used 5/32 rod @ 175A. It stows up nicely against the dipper with the brace tucked inside. 
NH575E
Senior Member
Keep and eye on the lynch pins. I replaced the ones I would have to unpin with large cotter pins. The only one I would need to unpin seems to stay put but the others would come loose and fall out.
How far does it extend to function? It doesn't look like you can get it 90* to the bucket.
How far does it extend to function? It doesn't look like you can get it 90* to the bucket.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Where does the thumb meet the bucket when pinned in position to use? I had lynch pins on my bucket linkage and changed them to cotter pins as well. Too easy for them to come out and you don't notice.
casey518
Well-Known Member
Yea the lynch pins are not the greatest. Ill get another pic with it in work position. I also want to drill holes for another work position maybe half way between the hinge holes and the holes it uses now. Just to jive more angle to the thumb if needed.
Welder Dave
Senior Member
Just be careful the sliding portion the thumb mount is on doesn't get bent or distorted. It could cause problems if you removed the thumb and wanted to use the extradig feature.