Even before this vintage mini excavator made it’s way to my place I had visions of it’s usefulness and things I wanted to upgrade. Adding a thumb on the boom of the mini excavator was right at the top of the list of things I knew I needed to do sooner rather than later in order to make the most of this new equipment. With some basic welding skills and patience, I get down to work in this video positioning the thumb just right so that it stays put and is functional. If I said I wasn’t nervous I”d be lying as I want to ensure I don’t have to do this weld job again. Check out the slight modifications I made to this 24″ thumb in order to make it work for my application. When it’s all done you’ll see me put my welds to the test and lift some good size chunks of log. My hope is that this thumb stays put forever and I’m able to expand the versatility of my new machine. Glad you’re all along for the ride today, here we go!
Mini Excavator shown in this video: Takeuchi TB15 (year unknown)
Thumb shown in this video: Vevor DIY 24″ Backhoe Excavator Thumb Attachments Weld On Adjustable Tractor Excavator https://s.vevor.com/bfP51m
Use code VVPROMO to get 5% off the thumbs found in the links
36″ thumb https://s.vevor.com/bfP5VS
27″ thumb https://s.vevor.com/bfP5Vv
18″ thumb https://s.vevor.com/bfP5VD
32″ hydraulic thumb https://s.vevor.com/bfP5Vo
18″ hydraulic thumb https://s.vevor.com/bfP5V0
#sawingwithsandy #excavator #takeuchi #vevor
source
Two thumbs from me on the new thumb install.
Looks like it could use some counter weight on the rear but apart from that it’s a success way to go Sandy and congratulations on getting to 50000
do yourself a flavor and get a new seat. they are cheap. and makes a world of difference. toss a butt heater in it while your at it.
"Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't" hahaha great job
I find I get a better weld in your situation by welding vertical down with a 6011 rod.
A learning curve on the running the mini-ex for sure. If you could figure a way to put some weight on the back of the machine it would make it more stable. Turning will be a problem with a log hanging very far from the machine. I don't know that I would be brave enough to video myself learning to use a machine like that.
Have a great Christmas and a wonderful Boxing Day!!
Nice. Stay safe, wear that seatbelt. Keep those loads low and slow.
I got a Hydralic thumb a month ago and put it on my trailer trencher. No hydraulics for the thumb as of yet, it will cost more for that than the thumb itself.
You can get a ram the size of your brace and use the existing thumb.
Thanks Sandy for sharing your thoughts and plans. Always enjoy watching you work and your humble demeanor. Happy holidays to you and yours.😊
Looks good Sandy. That vertical welding is a b! tch for us " farmer" welders.
I've never gotten good at it.
You'll get on to the operation of the new machine quickly.
I just bought a mini skid steer. Dang things is like a carnival ride right now. It'll take awhile to get on to as well. Think I'm gonna put a grapple on it tho.
Been dreaming of a thumb on my old greasy backhoes for years, I'll do one some day but there are enough other things to do first sadly. They are worth every penny and then some though!!! Got hooked on them with rented excavators!
Sandy, Did you use 6013 or 6011 rod to weld the thumb? By the sound it sounded like 6013. (6011 is much more aggressive and makes a deeper sound). If so, you might want to make one more pass with 6011 to get deeper penetration. 2 – When you're digging, you want the boom and arm a long way out so you're pulling the bucket back to the machine. Just the opposite where you're lifting heavy objects like those logs. Keep the load as close to the machine as you can, and don't lift a load higher than necessary. (You know how unstable your tractor is, when you load the bucket and lift the load too high). 3 – Look at the length of the wheelbase (idler sprocket to drive sprocket) and the width of your track. Be careful when you turn the house with a load in the bucket. It might be stable along the long axis of the excavator, but turn the house (and load) to the side and it'll go over. IF you feel like your about to go over, PUT THE LOAD ON THE GROUND, PAUSE, and RE-EVALUATE what you're doing. All-in-all, buddy, you are doing a good job and taking small steps. OH, give it more power so you have more hydraulic power….
As I've said before, I'm not going to be an arm chair mechanic critic and tell you "you shoulda done it this way or that way". Even when it's constructive criticism from the peanut gallery, it just comes off badly.
You caught your own mistakes anyway and you'll hear all about all the other things that you shoulda done differently from the know-it-alls.
I pitted the hell out of my F350 passenger mirror welding on the dump body so I'm not one to talk!
I'll just enjoy watching you do the things that I also like to do with my free time.
I will say, however, having infinite thumb adjustment within it's arc and then getting that darned thing out of the way quick and easy with a hydraulic cylinder is awesome. That'll be a welcomed upgrade! You'll agree when you do it.
Breaks over! Back to work!
Happy Holidays, my friend!
MM77 Approved 👍🏼👍🏼
I might have left the extra length on the thumb. And cut it later as you then think it needs to be shortened. Merry Christmas !
Awesome and congrats. Practice makes perfect. Yes , get that load as close to you as posable . Your really going to want a Hydraulic Thumb. Especially sense your auxiliary lines are right there. Keep on keepin on. Your gonna freakin love that machine. I use mine to log with, Cut the logs and put the really big rounds on the spliiter. Nice job.
That little excavator is going to really be a big help for you in many ways looks to have plenty of power picking up a lot more weight than one would think. Will most definitely be a back saver. Great video Sandy
When you are moving if you swing your boom around to the side of your tracks your machine won't buck as bad. You would still have to have your boom close in not extended
Hello Sandy, this vid was GREAT, seeing you learn the operation and taking your time, was a good tutorial on patience.
Practice makes perfect or as close as possible.
I would NEVER laugh at a guy who is just learning. When I was watching you I was just remembering my first attempts with an excavator. You did really well. Before long you will be scratching your nose with it. 😁
By the way, Merry Christmas buddy.
I have the same thumb on my tb015 but my 18" bucket has 4 teeth. I modified it by spreading out the end like a Y so the bucket teeth will fit up through the thumb ends. If I had 3 teeth like yours I wouldn't have had to.
For the side cutters, just shorten them and sharpen them up some they'll help grab logs that are a little smaller
Looks good, nice work.
Having a thumb on my backhoe I think I would lengthen the angle piece and not cut the teeth.
Good video and job. I think to put logs on mill you will need to add the hydraulic cylinder. Be careful with not turning it over. Merry Christmas. Take care be safe and well.
you should have positioned the welding ground on the boom direct, you will now have a multitude of little arc burns on the pivot pins, bushes , and holes…..not a good thing to do
A thumb is a great addition to the backhoe. Gong rats on your 50 K subscriptions
Sandy, I have an excavator (with a thumb) and a sawmill – they make a great pair! You will find all sorts of things that the backhoe will come in handy for. I'll make one suggestion – save the extra lengths that you cut off and weld them to the sides of the remaining thumb arms. That extra long last tooth on the part you cut off, even though it probably is only a 1/2 longer than the other teeth, will make a huge difference in whether a log slips out of your grip!
I like that you comment on the videos about the small and easy to forget mistakes that we all do. Like welding with current passing pins and bearings, not covering cylinders. I recently welded something on the roof of my tractor and forgot to cover the windshield, making a nice long spatter in the middle of the window SMH.
Congratulations on the 50k subscribers Sandy! Happy holidays to you and your family and keep up the great work. Take care.
Great job Sandy, you'll be a pro at it before you know it. As others have commented, I would consider adding some counter weight.
Sandy, it dose great for the small size.
Maybe weld those longer teeth that were at the end of the thumb, back on over the last teeth on the thumb now, so it'll keep stuff from rolling out and trap the log? I'm not a fabricator but it might hold better.
Hello Sandy. It looks like you have the plumbing if you decide to go with a hydraulic thumb. I think you should not be so hard on yourself using the thumb for the first time. In two years, maybe so. This will also help save some pain to the back. Have good days!
That unit is time an money saver, good job, it’s a learning curve
Wow you did it that is what i thought you were going to do. Hydraulic next upgrade and after that the extension for the trailer
Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to you and your dad
You can cover the cylinder with a wet blanket or a welding blanket.
You waisting money and energy, takes alot of skills to operate a fix thumb. I have a mini its biger and I have a hydraulic thumb, its worth every penny.
Another advange in my opinion it's that on hydraulic you have a relief valve wich opens when you put to much pressure in your case every time you squize somthing it's hard on the hydraulic and pins.
Well Done Sandy.. I'm surprised that Thumb did not have an adjustable center section, The one I have on My Kioti is adjustable which lets it work just like a thumb & finger to pick something up. Someday I'll add the hydraulic Cylinder which can be added to it, Just remove the center section.
That will sure save on Chains to keep them out of the Dirt LOL…
Mike M.
Brilliant Sandy you need to build a chainsaw holder on to the Excavator and you can pick up trees and saw them to size so much safer, I would have left a few more inches on the thumb, also when you are travelling with a tree get the tree tucked in as close to the machine so it is better balanced and easier to travel with but you now have the best machine to work with, but do not take it to far into the woods.
Good job welding on ur new Thumb for ur Excavator.. I woulda keep all of the teeth for picking-up some bigga stones..
Great addition. Merry Christmas to you and your family