Excavator Hydraulic Thumb

[jamj]

Anyone using a hydraulic thumb on a (6t) 360 excavator.
Do you remove it when not in use?
Good and bad points please.

 

[Lincs Lass]

If its hydraulic ,it should fold back out the way without having to remove it .

 

[Aftermaths]

Only disadvantages are the width of you are trying to dig a deep narrow trench, also an extra weight on the end of the dipper which knocks a smidge off your capacity, other than that the only worry is cracking the dipper arm by grabbing something on one side and putting a twisting force on the machine but not that likely either.
Cost is another consideration when fixed thumbs are plenty capable but on the other hand if you watch letsdig18 on youtube, all his machines have hydraulic thumbs and he's so fluid and capable with the thing it makes diggers without seem daft

 

[jamj]

Thanks for that detailed reply.

 

[Aftermaths]

If you do get one, make sure and get a progressive link thumb, has a much greater range of motion and if matched with the correct bucket it will be every bit as good as a dedicated grab

 

[Lincs Lass]

With a hydraulic thumb ,you need to be careful not to croud the bucket back too far that it puts pressure on the thumb ,,it will will either bend the ram or push oil back through the valve block ..
you wont have that problem with a fixed arm type

 

[jamj]

If you do get one, make sure and get a progressive link thumb, has a much greater range of motion and if matched with the correct bucket it will be every bit as good as a dedicated grab

What do you mean by progressive link? Is this hydraulic?
Any links?

 

[Aftermaths]

Some hydraulic thumbs have the ram straight onto the thumb whereas a progressive link has an extra linkage in between the thumb and ram, this means you get much more rotation and can fully close the thumb at full stretch, while a thumb without this linkage runs out of travel sooner

 

[wr.]

My son in law recently bought a grab for his 6 ton machine. It's a brilliant tool. I've used a thumb before but I'd much rather this grab.

 

[Aftermaths]

Not sure if the pic will work but it's the linkage on the end of the ram that makes a progressive link

 

[Zebbedee]

Bought a thumb for my 14t machine with a fixed arm on it to lift stone on a demolition job, used it for a day and threw it of never want to use it again horrible thing. A hydraulic one may be better but I would research it before you buy eg use one if possible.

 

[jamj]

Not sure if the pic will work but it's the linkage on the end of the ram that makes a progressive link

That's some thumb!
Doesn't look cheap. Not what you'd want to buy and not like it after a day.

 

[Zebbedee]

That's some thumb!
Doesn't look cheap. Not what you'd want to buy and not like it after a day.

Yea it looks good but price will mean it’s probably cheaper to buy a selector grab or a tilt rotator and grab ,,,,,,,,,