Bucket thumb or grapple

[Freeheeler]

I am leaning towards the EA forks... Their lead time is 2-3 months though... Any other 42" 2000lb max forks with a brush guard that you guys can recommend?

That is what I have. I don't have a thumb. I was going to get a grapple but after getting the forks I had no need for the grapple. I do what rc51 suggested, pile stuff up on the forks or just scoop and go.
If I really needed more than that, the modular idea seems like a good way to go. I don't think you can beat the EA forks, the wait time is the only drawback.
good luck with whatever you get.

 

[radas]

Ended up ordering the EA, lead time is about 8-16 weeks, should have it by the time fall cleanup is due but I'll make use of the bucket and wheel barrow for now.

Thank you all for the advice!

 

[Magicman]

My 36" Thumb is bolted to the forks. I am well pleased with the way it grabs and holds logs/debris to the forks. Once I clamp down, nothing falls out.

I used the smaller hydraulic hose (3/8") which reduced the cost and does not require the flow restrictors. It still has good operating speed.

 

[radas]

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My 36" Thumb is bolted to the forks. I am well pleased with the way it grabs and holds logs/debris to the forks. Once I clamp down, nothing falls out.

I used the smaller hydraulic hose (3/8") which reduced the cost and does not require the flow restrictors. It still has good operating speed.

Another very clean install, thank you for sharing. I hope I can get away with bolting a thumb on later vs. welding but I have no idea how Stout or wide the EA frame is on their 2200lb pallet fork setup. If only I knew how many toys I'd want for this tractor before buying it I would have saved for another year

 

[Grindstone]

View attachment 79075
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My 36" Thumb is bolted to the forks. I am well pleased with the way it grabs and holds logs/debris to the forks. Once I clamp down, nothing falls out.

I used the smaller hydraulic hose (3/8") which reduced the cost and does not require the flow restrictors. It still has good operating speed.

Did you cut out two bars in order to bolt to your forks? Also do you know the weight of just the 36" thumb? Thanks.

 

[Magicman]

I only had to cut out the one vertical bar in the center as shown here.

That left plenty of room for me to bolt the thumb bracket.

 

[Magicman]

I do not know/remember the weight.

An additional base could be bolted to my bucket and then the Thumb could be easily switched between the bucket and forks. LINK

 

[Bmyers]

We have forks, grapple, and a buckets with hooks. We started cleaning with the buckets and hooks. Worked well, was just time consuming.

The forks work well, but still require you to pile stuff up and do a lot of manual labor.

The grapple speeds the whole process up dramatically. Dad and I both wish we had gotten the grapple when we first started, but are thankful for having it now.

 

[Dieseldonato]

We have forks, grapple, and a buckets with hooks. We started cleaning with the buckets and hooks. Worked well, was just time consuming.

The forks work well, but still require you to pile stuff up and do a lot of manual labor.

The grapple speeds the whole process up dramatically. Dad and I both wish we had gotten the grapple when we first started, but are thankful for having it now.

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I agree, of there's any real amount of brush or logs a grapple can't be beat. Having said that I'm biased as I heat with wood and handle brush quite often. If I have to move more then a truck load I end up renting a grapple. It's cheap to rent and I don't have to keep it around.

 

[radas]

View attachment 79098
I only had to cut out the one vertical bar in the center as shown here. View attachment 79099
That left plenty of room for me to bolt the thumb bracket.

Thank you for sharing! I think I may try this set up after my EA forks show up. How do you like that Milwaukee metal saw? I debated on getting one of those vs. the Makita benchtop carbide saw once I run 220 in my shop again and start welding.

Is that bucket thumb the 36"?

We have forks, grapple, and a buckets with hooks. We started cleaning with the buckets and hooks. Worked well, was just time consuming.

The forks work well, but still require you to pile stuff up and do a lot of manual labor.

The grapple speeds the whole process up dramatically. Dad and I both wish we had gotten the grapple when we first started, but are thankful for having it now.

View attachment 79100
View attachment 79101 View attachment 79102
View attachment 79103

Now THATS some brush, that grapple would be a godsend with that awesome property.

I agree, of there's any real amount of brush or logs a grapple can't be beat. Having said that I'm biased as I heat with wood and handle brush quite often. If I have to move more then a truck load I end up renting a grapple. It's cheap to rent and I don't have to keep it around.

I didn't realize those could be rented, I may do that in the future if I have huge brush piles that I'm too lazy to move with forks.

 

[Dieseldonato]

Thank you for sharing! I think I may try this set up after my EA forks show up. How do you like that Milwaukee metal saw? I debated on getting one of those vs. the Makita benchtop carbide saw once I run 220 in my shop again and start welding.

Is that bucket thumb the 36"?




Now THATS some brush, that grapple would be a godsend with that awesome property.


I didn't realize those could be rented, I may do that in the future if I have huge brush piles that I'm too lazy to move with forks.

You can rent nearly anything around here. Closest place to me keeps a decent bit of attachments for skid loaders around. So long as you have a 3rd function as ssqa you can use a bunch of them on the front of your tractor.