NH575E,
Good find on the pump/motor. Looks like the vendor has accepted some best offers too.
As far as the thumb, I will measure the bucket opening the way they say to on there site to see if it is long enough. If so, 2 of them and a hydraulic pump would prolly do the job, with some wiring and hoses.
Check Break,
Thanks for the info! That is a nice looking grapple attachment!. I think the 445A will do what you want. That is a stout machine @10k#. I wish mine were up and running so I could install the grapple, and leave my TLB unchanged. BTW, I did some searching a couple of years ago, and found a company that sells the tractor side of the universal skid steer adaptor. I actually spoke to the guy, but, getting old, I cannot recall what company it was. My 445A has a diverter on the 3-point control that could be a supply for a solenoid 2-way valve. That was my plan to run implements once it is up and running...I say running, but it is a transmission issue. It is in reverse in forward, neutral, and reverse. That is how I bought it...it is a project.
Willie B,
I wish I had a thumb on the backhoe for sure, but being an extend-a-hoe, and the fact that the extension is an inner boom, it makes it much harder. Additionally, in the next 3 years I plan to purchase an excavator, and a hydraulic thumb is on the must have list. So, It prolly isn't worth while to spend thousands now in the thumb for the backhoe.
I may just wind up sucking it up and do this job by hand. It sucks to get old! Once I am done with this job, I will be able to build my shop. Once the shop is built, I will have a place to fix up the 445A.