Most excavators in Canada have hydraulic thumbs with a progressive link. I would never have an excavator with anything else. They tuck out of the way when not in use and can be deployed with the flick of a switch. Huge productivity boost.
The main problem with the thumb is that they are hopeless at bunching, so you can't move much material in one go - meaning you take ages to get the work done. Maybe ok if you want to just poorly grip single large objects ;-) Everything has its positives/negatives, the grab in clip also doesn't have great bunching ability but I'm sure it wasn't pricey either. Good job making the clip!
mechanical grab with tilt hitch is a pain in the ass. that's what I've got at the minute for my 1.7t. and having a thumb would be cool but smaller machines you've always got the wait on the end of your boom.
Most excavators in Canada have hydraulic thumbs with a progressive link. I would never have an excavator with anything else. They tuck out of the way when not in use and can be deployed with the flick of a switch. Huge productivity boost.
Really want to try a thumb, cheers for your comparison
The main problem with the thumb is that they are hopeless at bunching, so you can't move much material in one go - meaning you take ages to get the work done. Maybe ok if you want to just poorly grip single large objects ;-) Everything has its positives/negatives, the grab in clip also doesn't have great bunching ability but I'm sure it wasn't pricey either. Good job making the clip!
mechanical grab with tilt hitch is a pain in the ass. that's what I've got at the minute for my 1.7t. and having a thumb would be cool but smaller machines you've always got the wait on the end of your boom.
CJF Plant Hire yeah that's the thing with the little machines, the lifting capacity would be easily affected
Painfull to watch!