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Backhoe Thumb

J

Jiles

Well-known Member
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Some time ago, I mentioned that I made a Thumb for my Case 480D Backhoe. It was fabricated by my two sons from $200.00 worth of bought material. All they did was weld it together. It works perfect and is the best accessory I have ever made. :wink:
 
(quoted from post at 22:01:14 03/24/11)
436.jpg

Some time ago, I mentioned that I made a Thumb for my Case 480D Backhoe. It was fabricated by my two sons from $200.00 worth of bought material. All they did was weld it together. It works perfect and is the best accessory I have ever made. :wink:
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Nice idea, I've been thinking of making one for my Ford TLB, but using a hydraulic cylinder, more like the commercial units. Maybe I'll go the "fixed" thumb route after seeing your post.

However, I'm hard pressed to see $200 in "bought" material. Top link and pins are around $40. Looks like about $50 or so in steel. Or did they buy the steel at the local hardware or big box store? Anyway, nice job.
 
JML---The metal was purchased from a metal fabrication shop. The READY-TO-WELD pieces were just welded together. I could have bought raw steel but large holes are hard to drill with my drill press and the cost for cutting with a torch was also considered.
I am not as capable as I was a few years ago :(
 
(quoted from post at 10:02:32 03/28/11) JML---The metal was purchased from a metal fabrication shop. The READY-TO-WELD pieces were just welded together. I could have bought raw steel but large holes are hard to drill with my drill press and the cost for cutting with a torch was also considered.
I am not as capable as I was a few years ago :(
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ok, that makes sense. Since that includes saw and machining time at a fab shop, not a bad deal.
 
How do you like that 480? We had a 480F years ago and having ran several newer backhoes since I still think that 480 was the best out of the bunch. Well balanced, not topheavy, and 1st gear was never used. Don't see to many of them.
 
(quoted from post at 02:01:49 03/30/11) How do you like that 480? We had a 480F years ago and having ran several newer backhoes since I still think that 480 was the best out of the bunch. Well balanced, not topheavy, and 1st gear was never used. Don't see to many of them.
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I have owned I.H., Ford and Case. The 480 is an ideal size for my needs. I like it better then any other machine I have run or owned. Easy to operate and maintain. It is basically a 580-- just a little less H.P. and more compact and many parts interchange. It is unbelievable how much more I can do with this machine after installing the thumb. :)
 
You need a lot more strength in it. It will be twisted and bent the first time you clamp a big rock rock in it, that applies uneven pressure on the rails of it. BTDT! A single much heavier clamping arm will be much better, or a whole lot more beef in your design. That turnbuckle will also fail. Your thumb might be fine for a homeowner backhoe, but you have a real one.
 
(quoted from post at 01:03:46 04/03/11) You need a lot more strength in it. It will be twisted and bent the first time you clamp a big rock rock in it, that applies uneven pressure on the rails of it. BTDT! A single much heavier clamping arm will be much better, or a whole lot more beef in your design. That turnbuckle will also fail. Your thumb might be fine for a homeowner backhoe, but you have a real one.
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Thanks for the advise [b:f9f920ce36]The NEXT TIME [/b:f9f920ce36]I pick up a 500# rock I will remember your advise :!:
 
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