Thumb for Kubota B26 back hoe

[samwhoiam]

The back hoe is a BT820 and we need a thumb for it. Can't afford the hydraulic one now so I want to get opinions on the other types of thumbs that are around and about how much they cost.

samwhoiam

 

[fried1765]

The back hoe is a BT820 and we need a thumb for it. Can't afford the hydraulic one now so I want to get opinions on the other types of thumbs that are around and about how much they cost.

samwhoiam

BXpanded is likely the best place to look, for a quality product.
They have an excellent reputation.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

The back hoe is a BT820 and we need a thumb for it. Can't afford the hydraulic one now so I want to get opinions on the other types of thumbs that are around and about how much they cost.

samwhoiam

I think you have the top bracket already on the stick, right? I'd try to swing the thumb and longer pin now and fabricate an adjustable link. Then, when you decide to convert it to hydraulic, all you'd need would be a cylinder and valves, etc.

The OEM thumb swings on the same axis as the bucket, which an aftermarket one may not.

edit, I have a weld-on Titan manual thumb on my L35. It's good enough for my use, but I'd use it more if it was hydraulic.

 

[fried1765]

I think you have the top bracket already on the stick, right? I'd try to swing the thumb and longer pin now and fabricate an adjustable link. Then, when you decide to convert it to hydraulic, all you'd need would be a cylinder and valves, etc.

The OEM thumb swings on the same axis as the bucket, which an aftermarket one may not.

edit, I have a weld-on Titan manual thumb on my L35. It's good enough for my use, but I'd use it more if it was hydraulic.

Some aftermarket thumbs do swing with the bucket, as you correctly indicate.
It all depends on the mfg.
I have an aftermarket thumb on my L48 TLB, it swings with the bucket, and IMHO it is nicer than the OEM thumb.

 

[Smokeydog]

Owned several backhoes before getting a B26 with a hydraulic thumb. There’s no going back. So handy and incredibly useful.

 

[Vigo]

If you are doing your own welding I would say just get the weld-on fixed thumb from Titan because the worst thing that's gonna happen is you're not going to like how a couple of welds look and end up going over them yourself, or adding a little reinforcement here or there. Other than that what you're really paying for is a bunch of shapes cut out of plate steel and.. it definitely is that! They don't have people cutting that by hand so that part is gonna be fine, lol. Under $200 shipped to your door for one of those, just add welding. Can always add hydraulics later.

https://www.palletforks.com/tractors/3-point/backhoes-and-accessories/24-inch-weld-on-backhoe-thumb-attachment/122992.html

If you really don't trust their welding you can get the one you weld yourself and save $20.

https://www.palletforks.com/tractors/3-point/backhoes-and-accessories/diy-24-inch-weld-on-backhoe-thumb/122995.html