A backhoe thumb is a hydraulic device that attaches to a backhoe bucket, allowing the operator to grip and move large objects. It can eliminate the need for additional equipment and reduce expenses. There are different types of backhoe thumbs, including hydraulic and non-hydraulic models, as well as fixed position thumbs.
A backhoe thumb is a hydraulically operated device used in conjunction with a bucket. Allows the backhoe operator to grip chunks of concrete, rocks, and other objects as he lifts and moves them. Called the backhoe thumb because of the way the implement closes against the bucket, much like a thumb on a hand, the backhoe is able to grip objects and move them when equipped with the implement. During regular digging, the operator is able to keep the thumb of the backhoe open and positioned against the backhoe arm and out of the way. The thumb apparatus allows a backhoe to do many jobs, which can reduce expenses for excavation companies by eliminating the need for another piece of equipment and operator to complete a project.
Experienced excavator operators have long been able to wedge certain objects between the excavator arm and its digging bucket or shovel so that it can be moved out of the way of the excavation. The difficulty comes when the object is too large to go straight out of a hole. With the addition of a thumb to the fixture, the operator is able to not only grip a large object to move it, but the thumb allows the operator to grip, pull, and wiggle the object to free it. This often eliminates wasted time while the excavator operator waits for assistance to clear an obstacle blocking the digging path.
The typical hydraulic backhoe thumb uses a dedicated hydraulic cylinder to open and close the thumb. Attached to the bucket or arm with pins, the backhoe thumb has teeth designed to mesh with the teeth of the digging bucket to form a tight grip when closed. There are also non-hydraulic backhoe inch models that open and close automatically with the motion of the bucket. This non-hydraulic version is best used when moving large piles of rocks or debris, as well as when loading yard waste into a garbage gondola or dump truck.
Some versions of the backhoe thumb are immobile and are locked in an open or closed position. When open, the thumb works by staying in place as the bucket is manipulated to trap objects between the bucket and the thumb. To empty the load, the bucket is simply thumbed away and the items drop into the trailer, dumpster or pile. While not as versatile as the hydraulic excavator thumb, the fixed position thumb is an economical option for fixed budgets.
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