Green machine The Thumb

[melvinhatcher]

I have a L2256 bucket, that I would like to install the Thumb by http://www.greens-machine.com/index.html
Greeen's Machine Shop.
Anyone here done this installation on theL2256 bucket? Should I drill holes in the top edge of the bucket and bolt it on, or weld on a bracket to bolt it too. At any rate, I can post some pictures. I have it C-Clamped in position now just for a trial fit.

 

[PHPaul]

On my B2650 and LA534 bucket, I made a bolt-on mount by welding nuts to the back of a piece of bar stock and cutting holes in the back edge of the bucket so it sat flush and then welded the mount to the bucket.

Did the same thing to my forks so I can bolt the grapple to either implement in a matter of minutes.

Another advantage is that when the grapple isn't on the bucket, I bolt a hook and D-ring mount in it's place for lifting.

 

[scdeerslayer]

If you have a thick plate at the top of the bucket I'd just weld to that. That's my plan when I get around to getting one. The plate on mine is about 3/8" thick. I hook my chain grab hooks on it all the time to pull with and it hasn't budged at all so it's got to be plenty strong. Without doing something like the post above I think it would be kind of tough to bolt it on mine.

 

[melvinhatcher]

How thick is your bar stock support plate, and what size and grade bolts did you use?

 

[PHPaul]

How thick is your bar stock support plate, and what size and grade bolts did you use?

Plate is 1" to match the base of the grapple. That's probably overkill. Bolts are 5/8" Grade 5

 

[melvinhatcher]

Sorry about the pictures that were too large, second try, I hope this time I will do better.

I am waiting for the drill bit that I ordered to drill the holes in the bucket and finish my project.

I have somewhat of an overbite with the grapple. In the opinion of the populace, do you guys think an overbite, under-bite, or pinch on the edge of the bucket, is preferable?
I think I might add a shim under the grapple's base to correct the overbite.




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[MattN03]

Sorry about the pictures that were too large, second try, I hope this time I will do better.

I am waiting for the drill bit that I ordered to drill the holes in the bucket and finish my project.

It appears from the view in the third picture that I have somewhat of an overbite with the grapple. In the opinion of the populaces, do you guys think an overbite, under-bite, or pinch on the edge of the bucket, is preferable?



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Have you finished installing your thumb? I'd like to hear feedback on it. Which size did you get?

 

[melvinhatcher]

Have you finished installing your thumb? I'd like to hear feedback on it. Which size did you get?

Hello Matt,
No sir, I have not finished my thumb installation. I lost two trees in my yard due to the wind therefore; I spent my last few warm days cutting them up thus putting the thumb on the back burner. Now that it has turned cold, all outside work will be on the back burner, as it warms back up, I will get back to my thumb installation.

 

[melvinhatcher]

Well, I have a preliminary installation. I need to do some final adjustment to get the bucket bite even with the thumb tip.

 

[MattN03]

Nice! Have you had a chance to run the grapple?

 

[melvinhatcher]

Hi Matt, I have not put it to use, so far.

 

[BAP]

I have one on my B2920 and love it. I use it all the time moving brush and wood.

 

[melvinhatcher]

What sort of lube do you use on the thumb pins?

 

[BAP]

I don’t use any lube. I take mine off and on depending on what I am doing with the bucket. The amount that I use, it would take a long time to wear much.

 

[melvinhatcher]

I will probably do the same, because I plan to use mine between the bucket and my forks.