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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 พ.ย. 2018
- In todays video we take a look at the mechanical thumb on the RK 24 Subcompact Tractor (AKA Sherman) the tractor has the 6.5' backhoe and this is the first time using the thumb. We try it out down at the wood pile lifting and carrying logs to the log splitter. #firewood
#logsplitter #RK24
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Our channel takes you through the day to day chores here on our rural property in Western Pennsylvania. We also work on new projects and maintain old ones. You will find both compact and subcompact tractors here. Lots of 3 point attachments like tillers, box blade, rear blade, cultipacker, disc, brush cutters, augers and post hole diggers and several more. We have backhoes and grapples as well.
Equipment List On Property;
RK 24 With Loader and Backhoe
RK 37 With Loader
RK 55 With Loader and Backhoe
RK by Top Dog Granite Grapple
Bad Boy Zero Turn Mower
Ford F-150
Lifted Jeep Wrangler
Subaru Crosstrek
Black Diamond Log Splitter
Polaris 900 Ranger Crew
Power Equipment
Stihl MS 362 Chainsaw
Stihl 036 Pro
Stihl BR 700 Backpack Blower
Stihl FS 91R String Trimmer
Stihl HTA 85 Pole Saw
We do product reviews, build stuff, break stuff, hunt deer, cut firewood and enjoy life with our family, Chickens, and Three Golden Retrievers. Oh and Jinx the Cat! - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Mike, I sure appreciate these videos. They helped to convince me that the RK24 was the way to go for me. I got mine a bit over a month ago, and based on this video on of the first things I did with it was use the backhoe with the thumb to pick up a large cherry tree branch that had fallen and to carry it to the burn pile to drop it on top. Previously it would have taken some time and been difficult for me to do due to some back issues. Thanks!
Hello Hanna, nice to meet you . Thumbs UP 👍 FOR THE THUMB. Sure hope it’s an easy install and remove if it’s in the way when digging. Definitely need the table extensions for the splitter too, makes working alot easier. Thanks for sharing Mike
Hi Mike....I have an answer on the splitter and a suggestion for your chainsaw oil. Horizontal on the splitter for me. I like the side table also, and for large rounds I just place them gently on the splitter with my grapple. Works great. Don't know how I lived without it! For your bar oil, try a used and cleaned out (obviously) laundry detergent bottle. The built in funnel in those bottles works fantastic to get a good pour AND any drIps go back in the bottle. I tried it years ago and haven't looked back.
Oh, I like this idea! I've been using an old gear oil bottle and it falls over all the time!
@@frosty6720 no problem fellas. It works well. They are pretty durable and free when you wear one out. They hold nearly a gallon jug of bar oil and are much cleaner to use. I too have used the gear oil bottles....detergent bottles are way better. If you get the clear like, kind of see thru bottles, you can even see your oil level pretty easily.
Hi Mike,
I just got my Kubota L3901 a couple of months ago. I got the backhoe attachment with the mechanical thumb, but I have yet to use it as I am still mowing around the hacienda with my brush hog.
As for splitting firewood, I work part time at a custom log furniture shop. We take the unusable sections of logs and split them up for firewood. The splitter I use is a home made job with a horizontal rail. We have a stack of pallets on both sides of the rail and I use a bobcat to load the stumps onto the “Infeed” pallet stack and then I roll the onto to the horizontal rail for splitting. The offside pallet stack catches any larger pieces that fall during the splitting process. It ain’t pretty, but it works!
Mike, great job on demonstrating the use of the backhoe thumb, that's exactly one of the uses I ordered mine for today. Thank you !
Well I subscribe to the old adage that chopping wood warms you many times. 1 when you cut it, 2 when you split it and 3 when you burn it. I use a chain saw to cut it, and a splitting maul for splitting... No log splitter for me. 63 years young.
I prefer horizontal and had a custom thumb made for my Mahindra. Your video just confirmed that adding it to my 26 max xl hst is the right thing to do,! Once again I’m in debt to your Utube wisdom,! Thank you!
Awesome video as always! For the logs that are too big in diameter and crooked for the processor I use a Timberwolf TW6 with a hydraulic log lift and 6 way splitting wedge. For the real crazy diameter pieces though we also have a splitter for the skid loader that quarters them down to more manageable sizes to handle after going through the regular splitter. Depending on how many cords you wish to sell next year, I'd definitely recommend looking into a splitter with a lift and multi way splitting wedge to help save time and your back. I know you said your back doesn't bother you now, but firewood takes its toll over the years. I'm 39 and we've been selling firewood since we were in high school, and I don't think it'll ever get old for us. It's just too much fun being outside working in the woods!!
Mike, i have a 4200’John Deere with a hydro. I put roughly the same size woods backhoe on it 6 years ago. With the optional thumb. To use exactly like you are using it. It has saved my back and made my firewood production smoother. I also have a set of Deere forks for same tractor, use them for moving stacking and moving logs around. We bought a u35 Kubota mini ex in April. Yep i put a hydraulic thumb on it. Best money i ever spent. Anyway, always run the log splitter horizontal. Thanks for your videos, i enjoy them a-lot.
I love the thumb on my RK24! I just used it this weekend to move some large rocks to the banks of a stream on our property that are eroding...works great!
I split my firewood with a maul👍
I split with a maul. Usually one good swing does the trick. My kids do the stacking. I always go faster than they stack. If I used a splitter, they would be waiting on me. I think I need to buy a splitter so they would do both. Split and stack. Brilliant! Thanks Mike!
I use the vertical position occasionally when I have rounds that are too big for me to handle. I will usually take the splitter to the rounds and break them down into more manageable pieces. After that, it's all horizontal.
Had a Bro-tek fixed thumb on my Massey GC2310 and loved it.
best accessory you can have on a compact tractor. Used for loading whole pine logs in my dump trailer, grabbing wads of small brush that i cut. Only difference is the Bro-tek used the center link for the three point to hold the thumb rather than a self contained unit.
Great video. This weekend I looked very close into the RK24 TLB. I found that RK doesn't have service centers at their stores they have to send the Tractor to a service center or in some states they have a third party doing mobile service. I also found that for some reason parts are beginning to be a problem. I've heard this form several dealers around my area. The man that sells tractors at my local RK store has told me the same. I didn't pull the trigger on one yet because they didn't have any in stock and told me that it would be a month or so before they got another one. So I'm back to researching the others. They have a good price just not sure I'm going to take the chance. Great video really appreciate the information you provide.
I split both ways. Like you Mike, I prefer to split horizontal but sometimes the rounds are just too heavy to lift so then I go vertical. Keep up the great work with the videos.
Mike, great video thumbs up!! I have a towable backhoe and built a mechanical thumb for it, it’s a game changer. Cut most all my wood off the ground with it and it saves my chain. Also I built my own 42 ton splitter which horizontal setup, log lift and hydraulic 4 way wedge. The backhoe compliment the splitter.
This video's soundtrack kept reminding me of Tom and Jerry cartoons I watched as a kid
I also have a horizontal log -splitter and I also really like it.
Hi Mike… I do a hybrid method. I like to split horizontally, but if the log is too heavy to lift I accumulate a pile of the big logs and split them in half vertically all at one time and then I can switch back over to horizontal and finish them off. I have a mechanical thumb on my Kubota and have used it for picking up concrete slab chunks, rocks, and great for moving stumps after they have been broken loose from the ground.
I like mine were I can stand also. I need to get a table attachment like yours. Great video keep it up Mike.
Love the blog. I recently purchased a ditch bank flail mower AGL-125. (You should do a # on it). I initially did not realize it required an additional hydraulic port to power the two rams on the unit. I had to install an additional control manifold to support it. This additional control manifold is the reason most subcompact tractor owners have the manual thumb vice the hydraulic thumb. Without the dual supply and dual return lines installed by the manufacturer at time of delivery, it is costly to have it installed after the fact in most cases. Keep up the great work. Love it! Oh yeah, BTW, I have a Dirty Hands 27Ton splitter and I prefer standing up as well for the same reason.
Mike I had my woodlot timbered 3 years ago and the logger spread orchard grass on the trails. It grew very well and thick. It grows about 1 foot tall without any cutting, and grows back every year. I split horizontal. Very large rounds vertical.
Hey Mike, another terrific video! And I'm with you -- horizontal splitting is MUCH easier than vertical . . . the latter kills my back and usually gives me a soggy bottom from sitting on damp logs! Haha!
Hi Mike good Video as always. For splitting, standing as much as possible! The only time I tip the splitter upright is when I have a big round that is too heavy to lift without trying to taste my spleen.
Splitting wood on the reserve, i always preferred horizontal...but didn't always get my way 😊.
Your oldest daughter looks very much like Melissa.
My wife and I bought a new Crosstrek in May. So far, we've been loving it.
Anyway Mike, thanks again for your video.
You got it right Mike for yrs. I've set on log to split wood an my back has got out several time over the yrs. I'm not doing much splitting anymore because of problem with knee now. I've got to tell you just last week I've got a red oak tree down in back that's got to be 100 yrs. old and close to 5,000 lb. sold
That big tractor I had and would you know when you need it you don't have one. And will cost over 3,000
To get it out. Ron
I use the horizontal setup, too. I use a set of logging tongs chained to my backhoe. I try to setup the work area so that the wood pieces are picked up, swung over to the splitter. I then get off, split the wood, toss into a pallet box. I then swing over to the wood pile, pluck another piece and repeat. Things really go fast with a helper.
I thoroughly enjoy all your videos!
Thanks for your video.
Horizontal, with a table for sure. I have a SCUT JD1025R TLB and have been considering a thumb - your video sealed it for me - on order tonight.
First it was nice to see Hannah. Have you ever thought about getting or building a table the same height as the log splitter so you can get about ten pieces ready to go at once? Another great video.
I've seen the log splitter height table a couple of times. You can use the backhoe to load several pieces onto the table and then split them one after the other. It can save a lot of back and forth.
On the occasions when I have used a splitter it has been vertical. It hurts my back to use it that way. I split nearly all my wood with a Fiskars splitting ax so my experience with hydraulics is minimal . If I ever get one I will start with horizontal because I already know vertical hurts.
Mike, I use a flywheel powered log-splitter, so horizontal is the only orientation it works in, which is not a problem as that is how I would use it in any case. I definitely like the flywheel splitter as it works just as well on the wood I have here in the Pacific Northwest (including knotty hemlock and super-hard madrona), but it's much, much faster than any hydraulic unit I've used.
BTW, great video on the mechanical thumb. I have one on my Kubota 3309 and it gets tons of use. Besides picking things up, I also use it for pulling clumps of scotch-broom & blackberry brambles. When I get the grapple, I plan on using that, but in the meantime, Momma has some things she wants. Happy wife, happy life...
Nice job on placing that over 100 pounder piece of wood on that splitter! About as perfect as one could ask for👍
I just bought a Kubota KOX 33 new mini $35,000 with hydraulic thumb open station. Only have used it 15 hours but appears that it will be a very handy around the farm.
I like horizontal and even put the splitter up on wheel ramps to get it to a better working height to save my back. That thumb is a great addition!!!
Vertical, no need to bend. I simply put the splitter in my trailer, near the tailgate, so I do not have to bend over while splitting in vertical. Then I roll the bigger rounds in the tractor bucket and lift them level to the splitter. I use short piece of 2x12 to make a bridge between the bucket and the splitter. This is the best of both worlds... I have a video on my channel of this setup ("Log Splitter and Jib Crane").
Also, I have a Bad Boy 35T splitter. I only split horizontal as well. Mine is tall enough(I'm 6') that I can split everything at belly height, not thigh height so I love my splitter b/c you don't have to bend down for anything and it doesn't hurt my back. I hate even setting it up vertical. I have a Massey Ferguson GC1710 TLB and I want to get a thumb for mine(~$420 delivered) and after watching how you loaded 100+ lb logs onto your splitter, I'm in! My neighbor had a red oak that is about 38" across and we're cutting it into section and I need to be able to lift them and without a thumb it will prove difficult.. This would make my life much easier!! Great video!
I split wood sitting on bucket. Splitter up right. Never tried standing. But going to give it a try. Love your video's
Mike, as you stated, it is a must have for your tractor!
Mike, great to have tools. I've got too many. Maybe. You are right, the hydraulic thumb is great. I was thinking your leaf efforts seem manageable. I have a tow behind leaf mulcher/vac I tow with our John Deere X730 which is an incredible lawn mower for the bulk of leaf removal. Seems like your RK folks might have a lawn vac they want you to try out. Think you would like that. Turns your leaves into mulch. I do have a handheld leaf blower but we are thinking about the Stihl 800 like you use. Nice machines the Stihl products. We have quite a few Stihl machines here and this summer picked up the gas powered pole saw. Nice tool. My tractor is a 2017 Massey Ferguson 4707/deluxe cab, with loader with third function. I use that with many tools I have for it. Great utility tractor. You seem to be having fun. Makes me smile. Life is short. Have fun. I'm gonna.
Hi Mike. I’m like you, I prefer splitting rounds in the horizontal mode. I have a 30 ton Iron and Oak with a hydraulic log lift for the really heavy pieces. The splitting height is right at waist high so I never have to bend while splitting and I can walk away without my back hurting even after a couple hours working. I’m fortunate enough to have a mini excavator with a hydraulic thumb to lift logs for cutting into rounds. Love your channel.
Well I'm totally jealous of the RK24 now lol...I can't reach the backhoe controls that easily on my RK37.. Great video Mike!!!
I'm with you 100%, I can't stand splitting vertically. If I can get it on the splitter, it gets split horizontally. I think part of this is because my splitter has such a small backstop, makes it really hard to position the log vertically.
A thumb on a back hoe / excavator is very useful. I wish I had bought one for my tractor's back hoe attachment.
It is just as useful as the one you showed us,....the one on your hand!
I have question about the RK tractors. On the front end loader, is there a quick attach to switch between different attachments, bucket, grappler, forks. etc.?
What a great video . Discussion of different topics from past videos . Splitting of very heavy pieces vertical other wise horizontal is the way to go. You're always getting up ( vertical ) to get new rounds which is harder on my back than standing . Thumb is a get idea for lifting heavy rounds although I'm not sure if I could drive the tractor as smooth as you did . Nice to see your oldest daughter . You're a lucky man Mike . You have a great family .
Like most of the responses you have gotten, I prefer to split horizontally. I used to split it all by hand with a maul and wedge(s) because I would cut my lengths just shy of 48" which is longer than most splitters would take. Then cut them in half on a portable saw rig before bringing them in for the winter. But that required three people ( 1 to load, 1 to cut, and 1 to take away) to be efficient and my help was growing up and not readily available anymore so I had to transition into a single person operation.
Mike, another great video as usual. I don't care to split vertically either, but living in northwestern California I sometimes encounter Douglas fir and California black oak 3 to 4 ft in diameter. What I do is buck a large log into rounds (have a front grapple on the L2501 that is handy for that), then rip them lengthwise with a big saw. A four-footer ripped into quarters is usually something I can load on the splitter. Thanks again Mike, keep the videos coming!
Mostly horizontal for except for large rounds. Sounds like you have a deer problem out there. I think I should come out there and help you with that ! Lol. Great video. Thanks Mike !
I bought one of those saw sharpener and they are so nice. Convinced my brother to buy one too. If I do anything strenuous for long periods of time my back is shot for a couple days. I'm only 34 which makes me wonder what it will be like at 60. Hopefully I'll have a tractor to help out. Rk37 with a cab sounds nice!
Bad back, enter the SCUT with forks. Drag log off the pile, pick up with forks so I can buck them without bending over. Place a pile of rounds on a pallet, pick that up and place it next to the HORIZONTAL splitter as a staging table . Splits go into a small trailer pulled to the wood stack by my lawn tractor. Very little lifting:-)
Very useful!
I just ordered the TYM 254 and I just now find out about this "Thumb" that the TYM 254 doesn't have. I wonder if I can get one and put it on myself?
If the rounds are too heavy to lift by hand, I roll 2 or 3 into the bucket, drive over to splitter, roll one off onto the beam and split it in half. Also have 2 log catchers on splitter. Saves on Foot injuries. The largest ones - close to 3' in dia., I use chain saw to halve them or stand splitter vert. to halve or quarter it then split the large wedges in the horizontal position. Yes, I have a thumb on the backhoe, and love it!
Thanks again for the video. Nice day for fall. NO RAIN
My wife and I really appreciate the videos as we prepare to take over the family farm in coming spring.
Your experiences and assessments are really making our plans/preps a bit easier.
Thank you
Great video Mike 🇺🇲 I really enjoyed this video 🇺🇲💯 I am going back and watch all the videos from the start
If I were using a table top setup like you have I would do it the same way but If not it's the bucket for me
I am with you, standing up is the way to go!
Love your music .
Here is a tip: Get a 1" paintbrush and a nylon cord. Put cord through a hole in the paintbrush handle; tie the cord ends in an overhand loop knot and then loop it through the handle on your jug of oil. You can then clean away any sawdust around fuel and oil caps before opening, keeping dirt and sawdust from getting in tank(s).
I agree with you. I can't stand working vertical! My back can make it thru about one cut of wood before it is aching.
Hey Mike, loved the music and the bumble bees sound when chain saw was running. LOL, I was waiting to see Hannah go to the attic since Melissa goes to the basement.:) I stand while splitting. When you started the chain saw I smelled the bar oil and 2cycle gas, Oh wait that was on my clothes. Ron
LOL
Hey Mike, horizontal all the way! I'm guessing that with the growth and success of your channel you will be into a deal for use of a processor soon and then you will really getting production numbers up. Thanks for the videos, we really do enjoy them.
You got a nice setup, horizontal all day!!!
Don't worry about peoples comments ,you are doing a great job with your videos you keep up the good work .
Where did you buy the thumb? Please tell me? I can’t seem to get one for my T265.
I use a 10lbs maul stand all my rounds up in a tight bunch. Split standing on top the vertical round and walk though the pile. No faster way to cut firewood if you are up for it physically. I have used a hydro splitter and Mike you are right. Horizontal is best. But when you star bucking 30 plus inch rounds. You have to go to vertical.
I use to do it with an axe the log splitter came later and was expensive but young and used to thr work wish I was still doing it now it was enjoyable
I own a split-fire splitter, the splitting knife is double sided and moves back and forth on the bed frame. There are two stops on either side, this design allows you to place two 16” pieces of wood on the bed frame and it splits on both sides of the cylinder stroke so there’s no wasted time waiting for the rod to retract to be able to split again. I fabricated a hydraulic log lift to be able to lift the heavy logs and it doubles as a table similarly to yours to hold the split pieces waiting to be split again. There are a lot of advantages to this design you should have a look at one!
I just changed the single spool valve that operated the splitter cylinder to a two spool valve so the valve could have another function. You can replace any valve you want because the hydraulic pump supply’s the high pressure line to the valve and the other side of the valve is always a low pressure line that returns to the hydraulic tank.
My splitter (34 ton Champion) will go vertical but I haven't tried it yet. I can see using it to halve or quarter really big rounds to make them manageable but for regular splitting I think horizontal is better.
Ditto on the sitting splitting wood. I transfer heavy logs to a tractor bucket and park it level with the wood splitter. A vertical transfer is a lot easier than a lift. Sometimes I will hit the big logs with a maul and then split them. This works great for red oak and maple. Not so much for the white elm I happened to scrounge up.
We own a Kubota KX-040 with hydraulic thumb. I don't know how we'd survive without it. That said, when I was a young man splitting wood back in the 80's, that was the only source of heat we had. However, if I would have convinced my father and grandfather to buy a log splitter and attachment for a tractor we didn't have, then buy the tractor, I'm quite certain they would have made the case to just switch to Propane heat as they later did anyway by the time I was 18. They generally didn't use a tractor as much as I do now. I have moved trees after 3 storms here. But 35 years ago we didn't get the storms we do now either. So I have a grapple attachment too.
where to get mechanical thumb kit like yours?
Guess I'm old school. I still use a splitting maul and wedges
Very useful.
Hi Mike
I have a vertical hydraulic log splitter on the back of my Kubota which is very good and I have it as high as possible .I can see the advantage of a horizontal one so each to there own hey 😀👍
I sell 100-150 Facecord of wood every year as a side business (in Western New York we don’t measure full cords everybody goes by facecord, rick, short cord but calls it a cord) and I’ll stand for a 10 hour day using the horizontal position before I go vertical. However I’m 25 years old and already have 2 bad discs in my back so if I have any rounds of wood over 90 or 100 pounds I will save them for later then take that pile of large pieces and split them in half or quarter them in the vertical position then flip back up to horizontal and keep going that way. More productive in my opinion and the only way to make money and profit with firewood is to have high volume and always be adapting for better efficiency and cutting down on time you spend handling the wood and delivering it.
hey mike, just thinking. Could you back the dump trailer to the wood splitter and fill it with rounds, then would you be able to roll the rounds onto the log splitter table? If so that would increase your production a great bit, and save your back. Thanks for the entertainment.
Always horizontal splitting on ours which is a 3pt mount for the tractor.
We just got our rk24, I'd like to see how to adjust that thumb and what the adjustments can be used for
Hey Mike. I split wood with both, big stuff vertical, if I can pick it up, i'd rather do it horizontal. I don't have an easy way to lift large chunks of wood, so it is what it is.
Thats One Way To Pick Up The Heavy Rounds!!👍👊
I have the same issue as you , it will kill my back to sit and do it in the vertical position , only on the really big rounds will I use it that way . I can stand all day long and pick up the heaviest of ones , weird but that's the way it works out for me. nice video as usual.
Hey there Mike. I know this is a older video but i am a horizontal wood splitting guy myself and same here it is better for my back to stand and operate my splitter
Standing up to do ANYTHING gives you so much more range of motion. I agree with you on standing to split logs.
Mike. What is the max weight the RK24 will lift? Can it be used to move logs to the table of a Wood-Mizer for resale? Thank you
I split in horizontal position also. My back starts hurting also. I try to stack rounds and split away from table. Better production when your by yourself.
I have a Sub- compact tractor also , I just drive up to the blocked wood and roll several pieces into the bucket, drive to my splitter, park next to the splitter then roll the wood onto the splitter, then put the split wood back into the bucket then drive to the wood pile and unload.
Im tryinh to find a mechanical thumb for my tym t265 with a by200 backhoe and seems like the b6.5 back is exactly the same as mine just rebranded. If you could help me and get me a measurement from the center pivot point of the adjustment arm to the center pivot point of where the thumb and the backhoe bucket meet and attach with one pin. My measurement is 22". Thanks in advance for your help
Loved the high speed still chainsaw.
Is there a video on your woodstove yet?
tip, i save old tooth brushes for cleaning off the air cleaner and another to clean around the gas and oil caps before opening them. i put a thumb on my case 580 backhoe and i loved it, just sold the case. no more firewood.
Definitely horizontal , I own a small logging and fire wood buss in CT I also work at Foxwoods in the table games department at night so if ur ever in the neighborhood ask for me ( Bob Thuotte) I would love to chat with you been doing both for about 25 yrs now . I’m the same as you once I got alittle older my back didn’t agree with sitting on a chunk of wood or bucket to split wood . Love the videos keep them coming Mr. and Mrs. M
you got it going on but you need the four way splitting head on your splitter . i enjoy watching your videos , i can tell you're a hand , i worked construction as a pipe/tube welder all my life
horizontal built it with a hyd lift table good videos thanks GOD bless from il
I look forward to seeing more of the Morgan family in the videos.
If Hanna(h) is anything like Melissa........ I think she'll do just fine in the TH-cam world.
Does she have the trademark "hand-clap" perfected??!!
:-)
I still use a splitting maul or wedge and sledge. But my body is starting to let me know that it is going to go into full rebellion soon so I will most likely be getting a splitter. Can you recommend a good splitter for a guy on a bologna budget?
Cool thumb
I have an old school horizontal that is low but just right for rolling logs on and off.
HI MIKE. I TOO HAVE A BAD BACK SO WHEN I BOUGHT A LOG SPLITER I FOUND ONE FROM WOLF RIDGE MFG. THAT HAS A LIFT ON IT. BEST MOVE I EVER MADE. THE THING WILL PICK UP ABOUT 4-6 PIECES AT A TIME SO ALL I HAVE TO DO IS SPLIT WOOD.