580C Backhoe - Mechanical Thumb ??

[BigDog's Toys]

I have a 580C and I am looking at adding a mechanical thumb. So far the one I am leaning towards is the Hoe-Clamp by Amulet...Any feedback? Anyone else tried these out or is there a different kind that would be better.

I am clearing my property and moving stumps, logs.. that kind of wear and tear...

Thanks!!

 

[busdrivernine]

I have a guy that I do alot of hauling for and he has a homemade thumb on his Case thinkit is either a 580 or 590 not for sure, but a sweet machine for sure Told my wife that I sure would like one for Christmas . boy did i get the look and it was not a nice one either .

 

[CaptDave]

This fellow in Ontario has some pretty reasonably priced ones.
http://cdp-backhoe.com/
When I get my Case 530 running I am getting, wife already said "go for it" She wants all the old brush and trees cleared up.

 

[coopers]

It's a good thumb. I had one on a 580B extendahoe. Very nice.

http://heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=264&stc=1&d=1106244896

 

[amunderdog]

I had a grapple made for my old hoe.

The price was steep but i really like it.
Wish i had a better picture.
I just changed to a bucket this morning, or i would take a better shot.

 

[ghitch75]

It's a good thumb. I had one on a 580B extendahoe. Very nice.

http://heavyequipmentforums.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=264&stc=1&d=1106244896

i have a 580c extendahoe and i was wondering how it connects to the stick without getting in the way of the slide?....couldn't really tell in your pic....

 

[coopers]

Here you go ghitch. Look at the red circle. That's where it's welded onto the linkage.

 

[ghitch75]

thanks coopers that clears it up......

 

[coopers]

I like the red tire on your hoe ghitch. Was that pulled off an old B or CK model? How you liking ur 580C minus the diff. lock issue? I love the C's. I like the new hoes but I grew up around the 580C and will pick one up (eventually) myself to use for light stuff here and there.

 

[skidrowe]

I have a Amulet hoe clamp on my Cat 426B , on a scale of 1-10 I give it a 9, the thing works great. I pick up boulders way bigger than I probably should with little problem. As for trees I dig on both sides of the tree and come up about 2-3 feet and push them over and grab them with the thumb, I bought mine on E-bay for $500 I LOVE IT

 

[BigDog's Toys]

Ok, we bought the thumb.. now to put it on tomorrow... any tips ???

 

[skidrowe]

Hey if you don't already have your thumb on a couple of hints might make it easier. First clean off as much grease as you can off your pin , pin hole in dipper because you will have to see to line up your dipper holes , bucket holes and thumb holes all at once. Also I used a piece of pipe a little smaller than your pin size to help line up the three pieces. It's a little tricky but you can do it. I have to do mine by myself, but if you can get help it will make it easier, then make sure to grease it up BIG time !!!

 

[jhatch30]

Thumb

Here you go ghitch. Look at the red circle. That's where it's welded onto the linkage.

I was wondering how rlthe thumb works is it mechanically move with the bucket trying to put a thumb on mine same exact machine

 

[Ironguy]

Geith make a good AR400 mechanical for the 580, doesn't have one for extendahoe though.