Excavator thumb question?

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I am going to weld a thumb on our excavator, and am wondering as to the placement. I am sure the wear strips get cut off then just welde the plate on?,I marked the outline in welding chalk, also should the thumb reach the teeth on the bucket? I got this from someone who bought it at an auction and then did not want it. It looked a lot bigger before I laid it up on the bucket. I thought about welding extensions on it. Any help would be appreciated.
Reply:Yes you're going to want to cut them strips off. You may also want to weld a buffer plate to spread the stress out on the boom. I have seen them crack the boom out before. If it were mine I would want to extend the fingers out. I actually did just that to a customer's thumb last year.-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Yes it should touch the teeth or lip of bucket.If it were me i think i would make longer hinge flanges.Tuff to tell by pic but how much are you short by?Agree with adding a pad plate to the inner stick.
Reply:I found a pic of it tacked all up. -DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:I believe the thumb might even go back more on the boom, it makes contact when  the bucket is curled into the boom, thus making the teeth on the bucket closer to the boom and will line up with the thumb...its easy for you now as you can just slide the thumb up and down the boom as you curl the bucket for positioning before you weld it..Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by derekpfeifferI found a pic of it tacked all up.
Reply:I built my own for a Case 580K backhoe with extend a hoe. I used half an old log loader grapple, which in no way was shaped correctly. It took too much cutting and welding. It'd be easier to start from scratch. I have always wished I had hinged it on the bucket pin. As it is retracted I barely had room for a 24" stroke cylinder, 24" doesn't bring the thumb far enough for close to the swing tower rocks. At a comfortable average reach, you want the tips of the thumb, and teeth of the fully retracted bucket to touch the ground.If you need to extend the tips, consider using shanks for backhoe buckets with teeth. Mine wear a lot. I handle boulders all the time, and build stone walls. At least hard surface the tips.An optimist is usually wrong, and when the unexpected happens is unprepared. A pessimist is usually right, when wrong, is delighted, and well prepared.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manVery nice work! Please, post more pics!!!