Thumb Thoughts (for me on a BT900)

[Nicksacco]

Hi All-
I'm considering a thumb purchase for my backhoe. I think it will add some value to it since I could actually "hold" things such as logs, or brush. But also I'm not in a hurry so I'm watching videos and doing some reading on adding thumbs - both manual and hydraulic.
So if you feel inclined to jump in, discuss how you use your thumb, what type it is, the brand, did you do the installation, I know it would help me and others who might be contemplating it.
Personally I love machinery, but I have to temper that with the practicality of use. I am a hobby guy and not a professional operator. But as we know, tools make a huge difference when you're trying to get stuff done. They can make a difference between a 3-day job and a 1-day job eh?

 

[mikester]

Hydraulic thumb - don't leave home without it

Get one for the loader too!

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I installed the Titan weld-on manual thumb on my BT900. It works well for picking up logs etc. and snaking cedars out of brush, for example.
But (there's always a but)
1 Once you've folded it down it gets in the way of digging. A while back, I was getting rid of a double sweet gum tree. I started diggin g out the stump, but then the tree trunks were in the way. I unfolded the thumb and used it to pull the stems out of the way. But when I resumed digging on the stump, the thumb dug in the ground first, so I had to re-stow it until I needed it again to pick up the stump.
2 The stow/un-stow is inconvenient and potentially dangerous. It's handy to always have the thumb available, but the third leg is a separate piece that stows inside the other two and one of the pins holds it all together. The natural temptation is to use a finger to see when the holes line up, but if something slips . . . Also, that leg has to be oriented the right way and I always get it wrong at first. I could probably paint marks on it.
It might be possible to modify this one to hydraulic, but I haven't had a chance to study it yet. There's also the issue of whether there's enough room for 2 more hoses to pass through the boom wrist area, or whether those hoses would just dangle. I've thought about a diverter mounted on the boom, so only a wire would need to go back to the controls.
So, my vote is thumb - yes/hydraulic - yes.

After writing this, it occurs to me that finding a different way to stow the third leg would improve my experience.

 

[GSD-Keegan]

When I ordered my 2601, the grapple was months on back order. I wanted a bh and thumb which was in stock. At present, the bh and thumb get the most use, dealing with dead ash trees which is why I bought the tractor. It’s nice to move logs and get them up off the ground to cut them up. I’m careful to try to keep the weight balanced. Posted this pic in another thread but here it is again.

 

[BXHoosier]

I had a manual thumb on my BX24. I sold it and built a hydraulic thumb that is way more user friendly. Any thumb is still better than no thumb.

 

[kubotafreak]

Hydraulic thumb all the way. One of those things you don't know how you got along without it.

 

[loggin]

Hi All-
I'm considering a thumb purchase for my backhoe. I think it will add some value to it since I could actually "hold" things such as logs, or brush. But also I'm not in a hurry so I'm watching videos and doing some reading on adding thumbs - both manual and hydraulic.
So if you feel inclined to jump in, discuss how you use your thumb, what type it is, the brand, did you do the installation, I know it would help me and others who might be contemplating it.
Personally I love machinery, but I have to temper that with the practicality of use. I am a hobby guy and not a professional operator. But as we know, tools make a huge difference when you're trying to get stuff done. They can make a difference between a 3-day job and a 1-day job eh?

If you can afford it, get the hydraulic thumb!!! It sure beats climbing off the machine to do adjustments to the mechanical one. Also when picking up things in a pile , such as logs or stone, it is much easier to get the thumb to the correct angles needed for secure pick up. You will never regret getting a hydraulic thumb!!

Just my suggestion.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I had a manual thumb on my BX24. I sold it and built a hydraulic thumb that is way more user friendly. Any thumb is still better than no thumb. View attachment 73007

Nice job! You've incorporated a couple of things I like. First, I think the best pivot point is at the bucket pivot, by using a longer pin. But that requires a custom fit on pin size and span across the bucket. The Titan I bought is a universal fit, so there is some compromise there.
Also your cylinder geometry allows the thumb to fold back far enough to be out of the way when digging (mostly). Titan makes a hydraulic version of their thumb, but it just replaced the third leg with a short cylinder. When fully retracted, the thumb still sticks out at nearly 90° so it's in the way for digging.
I'm curious. Do you have a pressure relief on your thumb hydraulics? It looks like you're using one of your remotes. Seems like some folks are concerned with over pressuring the thumb if they curl the bucket too hard, and vice versa.

 

[BXHoosier]

The thumb is controlled by my homemade remotes valve. The valve doesn’t have a relief valve. The thumb has more power than the bucket curl so I always curl the bucket against the thumb and never the thumb against the bucket.

 

[fried1765]

Hi All-
I'm considering a thumb purchase for my backhoe. I think it will add some value to it since I could actually "hold" things such as logs, or brush. But also I'm not in a hurry so I'm watching videos and doing some reading on adding thumbs - both manual and hydraulic.
So if you feel inclined to jump in, discuss how you use your thumb, what type it is, the brand, did you do the installation, I know it would help me and others who might be contemplating it.
Personally I love machinery, but I have to temper that with the practicality of use. I am a hobby guy and not a professional operator. But as we know, tools make a huge difference when you're trying to get stuff done. They can make a difference between a 3-day job and a 1-day job eh?

I had a Ford TLB WITHOUT a thumb for 33 years.
I have now had a Kubota TLB WITH hydraulic thumb for nearly 3 years.
I am 81 now, ....... obviously will never be without a thumb again!

 

[GSD-Keegan]

And now I’m jealous of you guys with a hydraulic thumb! . But quite often I set it once for the size of log I’m working on and it’s good till that tree is done. Of course I have to pin it back in the stow position when I’m done for the day.

 

[Tarmy]

As mentioned…best tool on my tractor…

 

[Crash277]

I wouldn’t own a BH without it. After I get my hydraulic top link, a hydraulic thumb mod is next on my list.

 

[Nicksacco]

Wow!
Thank you all for the great responses.
There are a few things I hadn't considered - like overpowering the bucket, dangers of losing a finger, Titan brand @PoTreeBoy ) and making my own (@BXHoosier - Would you consider sending a few more pics and talk about the build and controls?)

Hmmm, I kind of figured that the hydraulic would be the way to go.
I've seen a foot operated version somewhere where a person added a valve to the rack inside the BH housing (see pic).
I was thinking if I could get a valve from a BT900, I might be able to sandwich another.
I wouldn't need to worry about where to get the hydraulic fluid. Anyone done that?
Other than that, I've seen diverter valve setups - but they look unnecessarily complicated.

Is a foot control common practice for a thumb?

 

[PoTreeBoy]

I learned something too. BXHoosier confirmed a thought I've had about the over-powering issue.
I think the foot control is fairly standard on factory installations, especially excavators. But heck, if the control was anywhere within reach, that would be great. Modifying the factory valve gets pretty expensive if you buy the parts from Kubota. And even though the parts show to be available, I've found that's not always so. Maybe you could find a used valve.
AFAIK, the factory never offered a BT900 thumb. Anybody know otherwise?

 

[BXHoosier]

Here’s my thumb build thread. Lots more pictures.

BX hydraulic backhoe thumb build

I have decided to build a hydraulic thumb for the backhoe on my BX24. I recently added dual rear remotes with the intention to use them to control a thumb. The 2 spool valve hooks up inline with the backhoe. Today, I mocked it up with 3/8” plywood. The upper mount will be welded to the dipperstick.

www.orangetractortalks.com

 

[PoTreeBoy]

Here’s my thumb build thread. Lots more pictures.

BX hydraulic backhoe thumb build

I have decided to build a hydraulic thumb for the backhoe on my BX24. I recently added dual rear remotes with the intention to use them to control a thumb. The 2 spool valve hooks up inline with the backhoe. Today, I mocked it up with 3/8” plywood. The upper mount will be welded to the dipperstick.

www.orangetractortalks.com

Nice work. I remember when you first posted it. Maybe it'll inspire me to act.

 

[mikester]

My only complaint about my factory thumb is no grips on the thumb, just smooth metal - slips trying to grab large rocks

 

[loggin]

Wow!
Thank you all for the great responses.
There are a few things I hadn't considered - like overpowering the bucket, dangers of losing a finger, Titan brand @PoTreeBoy ) and making my own (@BXHoosier - Would you consider sending a few more pics and talk about the build and controls?)

Hmmm, I kind of figured that the hydraulic would be the way to go.
I've seen a foot operated version somewhere where a person added a valve to the rack inside the BH housing (see pic).
I was thinking if I could get a valve from a BT900, I might be able to sandwich another.
I wouldn't need to worry about where to get the hydraulic fluid. Anyone done that?
Other than that, I've seen diverter valve setups - but they look unnecessarily complicated.

Is a foot control common practice for a thumb?

Here is a link to some information of a factory thumb install for a BH92 that might help a little. I know it's not the same as yours but possibly something to go by..??

Hope this helps!!

Backhoe - Adding a Kubota hydraulic thumb to my BH 92

Today I ordered the parts for a hydraulic thumb to add to my BH 92. It will involve adding the control vlve, foot control, cylinfer, and the thumb itself. Anyone interested in anything special? I'm going to try and remember to take pictures at key times but knowing how I work, I'll get going...

www.tractorbynet.com

 

[Donystoy]

Fabbed up my thumb a few years ago. It is manual but designed to accommodate a readily available hydraulic cylinder. Before folks comment, the thumb pivot pin is captive on the opposite side so it turns within the dipper when using bucket. Thumb stores completely out of the way without any interference.