Hydraulic thumb.

[Smiffy]

Some people (and not suggesting for a moment you) manage to f**k up the installation of a thumb. I've useda few on customers machines that have been awful. Not closing properly against the dipper because they've messes up the spacings of the two brackets and the ram closes before the thumb is against the dipper etc Or not meeting up with the bucket properly..

I think rsl do one where both brackets are connected on a single piece of metal to make installation easier

 

[diggerjones]

I like the look of this type. As its just a case of welding on. Assuming it closes up close to the dipper

 

[Storrsy]

I like the look of this type. As its just a case of welding on. Assuming it closes up close to the dipper
View attachment 39717

looks good to me!

 

[craig]

View attachment 39719looks good to me!

New machine?

 

[Storrsy]

New machine?

Not mine. It's taken of the same website diggerjones refered to.

 

[V8Druid]

I'd be guessing, but think you'd want a pilot op check check valve on the extend side of the ram to make sure it stays where you want it

 

[Storrsy]

I'd be guessing, but think you'd want a pilot op check check valve on the extend side of the ram to make sure it stays where you want it

I haven't had a problem with any of mine. Keeps the grip pretty good too. You can always curl the bucket a bit to keep it. Actually the thumb ram is stronger than the bucket so I find it's best to get the thumb roughly where you need it to be and use the bucket to do the precision adjustments- more controlled and not forcing the bucket out the way

 

[Giles]

I had Geith one on 5 ton mounted on bucket pin, bought this rhinox one for 5-9 ton dirt cheap at auction is brand new in packing crate

 

[diggerjones]

Think I'm going to be ordering one of these, called Hardlife i believe

 

[Storrsy]

View attachment 39886
Think I'm going to be ordering one of these, called Hardlife i believe

It's a good design as same width as dipper which would be a real pain if it wasn't, strong design. Does it say on the website whether it's made of hardox or not. I had to get RSL to make me one specially out of hardox for my 5 tonner. The one on the 3 tonner is normal steel and 2 years old. Heavy use to be fair but definitely wearing the tips flat

 

[diggerjones]

Its only going on my 1.6t mini. Looks ok

 

[Monkeybusiness]

There was a bloke from hardlife flogging stuff on here - see if he can help with price!
(Or also speak to Scott’s in Ireland as they make a lot of hardlife stuff….)

 

[diggerjones]

There was a bloke from hardlife flogging stuff on here - see if he can help with price!
(Or also speak to Scott’s in Ireland as they make a lot of hardlife stuff….)

Thanks for that I've just been reading the hardlife thread (henry) all good I'm glad to see as just ordered 1

 

[Storrsy]

Just watched the video on the hardlife website of it on a Kubota 080-4 loading a bonfire. Two things that stand out is that they don't fold back as well as the RSL and they look quite a bit wider than the dipper. I'll be keen to know how you get of with it for future reference. The RSL one has taken some abuse I must say. Wrestling with rocks far too big for the machine

 

[diggerjones]

Customer service was 1 thing that helped me make my decision. It's probably a load of crap

 

[diggerjones]

Well it arrived today. Just tried it on my kubota, its going on my case digger but they are very similar. Both have quickhitchs.
Looks ok. Paint is crap. But see how it preforms.

 

[diggerjones]

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

We have fitted a few just be mindful of the extra weight on the dipper when extending the arm fully out!

 

[diggerjones]

We have fitted a few just be mindful of the extra weight on the dipper when extending the arm fully out!

it's going on my case cx16, its slightly heavier than a 1.5t. It should handle the weight ok

 

[Mick-the-fitter]

We have fitted them to K008’s and TB 210r’s but some of the SWL’s went into minus amounts