NH575E
Senior Member
This is a pretty thorough discussion of how to the hydraulics.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/125912-custom-hydraulic-backhoe-thumb.html
Toy size tractor but should point you in the right direction.
Joe H
Thanks for the link. I think I have read through that one before.
After today I am rethinking and realizing the true value of this for my use will be feeding fires like I did today. With that in mind it might be better to not have a cylinder and hoses under the boom. I reckon I'll leave it as is for now.
Sorry to report to the pro welder nay sayers that this has picked up and hauled logs and stumps for several days with nary a crack or broken weld.