Excavator thumbs

0:00 into to excavator thumbs
2:05 Demonstrating a Geith thumb on a Hitach ex100 excavator
5:38 Demonstrating a Homemade? thumb on a Komatso PC15 excavator
10:14 Demonstrating a thumb on a Yanmar B50 excavator
12:53 Demonstrating a hydraulic thumb on a Kubota KX121-3 excavator
16:09 Installing a EA thumb on a Yanmar B37 excavator
22:34 Demonstrating the newly installed thumb on the B37 and comparing with the a hydraulic
29:03 Demonstrating why the thumb needs to be the correct length
31:24 Talking about adding thumbs to backhoe tractors
36:30 Track pad pieces available
37:59 video ending
Track pieces:
From my friend $40: www.ebay.com/itm/183729723880
T shirts: www.ebay.com/itm/183390302680
More track pieces: www.ebay.com/itm/183735799062

[@glennfryer1539]

A brilliant effort to show people how the thumb works ... thanks for you time settling all the machines up for the demonstration 👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@zephyrold2478]

I second that.

[@MacWalther]

two "Thumbs" Up!

[@____________________________.x]

I laughed when Andrew paced out that log in seconds, Wranglerstar would still be talking about his genuine North Western loggers tape, artistically videoing himself nailing the end in, and then giving us a 15 minute story about the time his Father wrestled a bear during a blizzard back in '62...

[@pedrobatista4439]

Plus all the click-bait crap lol

[@July4.1776]

I quit watching Wranglerstar a while ago... dude is too into himself.

[@OxAO]

Never heard of Wranglerstar. Went to the channel the guy babbles to much and pointless video. like watching him in real time filling a fuel tank.

[@pedrobatista4439]

@Steve Diamond I dunno. Tried to watch his videos about 4 years ago... Couldn't even finish the first one lol IMO It's not comparable to Andrew's channel which is a real channel and not a bunch clickbait and pointless talking but I guess that's what KZbin likes.. Andrew deserves 1 million subs way more than Wranglerstar.

[@timothyadams4477]

Don't be too hard on the guy, he did live in the Portland area before he moved to Central Oregon.

[@calholli]

It's funny how you start out doing construction work and realize that you're a top level film producer.

[@torbenhansen8539]

yep

[@BeachBoyAAA]

And a teacher...

[@MdNayem-du1hb]

Fssdyh b I no yolk 're v.cigk ya fanciful ut

[@whattheheck4703]

Love how he just digs in is yard to educate others

[@froggleggers1805]

When it comes to Yanmars, you're all thumbs Andrew. ;)

[@Gen3tx]

The reason that hydraulic thumbs give out against the digging cylinder is so that thumbs cylinder doesn’t get bent. Should be able to adjust the relief pressure so it doesn’t give out as easulu

[@jayirving6996]

Correct.. Any machine with a thumb has a pressure regulator set lower than the bucket cylinder pressure. He can turn it up like he wants but then stuff will probably break

[@davidtyndall9604]

I have never worked on trackhoes but I did do hydraulic work for a number of years. Hydraulic oil is not compressible and is actually stronger than steel under compression loading. If the thumb cylinder is moving under a load then you have oil "bypassing" some where. Either in the piston chevrons or the valve body or a relieve valve setting is to low. Good luck on working out this problem.

[@Tailss1]

This totally. There should be a relief adjustment but be careful turning it up too high.

[@davidtyndall9604]

@elem arha Sir, I do not know if the valve that operates the thumb cylinder is an "open center" or a "closed center" valve but I do know this for a fact, if the valve is a "closed center" valve then both lines are blocked off when the valve is in the neutral position. That means that no oil can move through the lines, in either direction. That means that the oil in the thumb cylinder is NOT exposed to any "relief valve". On an open center valve system it would still only be exposed to a relief valve during the moving event. It is a safety feature that is required on all hydraulic systems to prevent devices from "lowering" by accident under a heavy load.

[@megape95]

@@davidtyndall9604 open center or closed center only has to do with de pump system. Pressure return to tank or non return. Most of the valves that are used with small and mid sized excavators are build with closed a and b ports with pressure reliefs n the cilinder ports a&b

[@SeanLarkan]

Definitive tutorial on excavator thumbs! So many useful/important points made in this segment; invaluable. Astonishing to see what even a tiny excavator can lift and move around; this wasn’t just great on thumbs but an ad for excavators. Thanks Andrew.

[@wesley00042]

It's one thing to show these machines at work, but you dragged these all out just to teach us about them. Thank you for the effort. Love the channel

[@AndrewCamarata]

Thanks

[@AndrewCamarata]

Yeah, I put allot of work into this one.

[@billh1471]

I can see it now - The Camarata Excavator Museum

[@JackMacLupus]

Haha, had the same feeling on the intro. Combined with that 80s style retro music it was more than fitting. XD

[@silasmarner7586]

Yeah.. after he retires with his millions, earned one dollar at a time!

[@JackMacLupus]

I think Andrew will probably never retire. He has just too much fun doing his work.

[@paull2815]

With the Levi Skidsteer Commemorative collection.

[@murusmicmac9544]

you should see his video on computers, he has built a tiny museum for them!

[@johnnybratsch6019]

Love your channel! I’m a diesel tech and I’m trying to get into the trucking and excavation end of it, as well as continuing repairs for others. You’re an inspiration! Thank you!

[@LAKESIDEBOB1]

keep your day job, what you are seeing is part of the money generated from these you tube shows. Andrew is big time on you tube.

[@seanlichtsinn8732]

He doesn't get paid from KZbin that's why there's no ads on his channel

[@timothyadams4477]

@@seanlichtsinn8732 You must have adblock on.

[@joegamba4635]

Andrew....thanks so much for doing this video. You really are a natural teacher/instructor. You don't even need notes. You just know what the hell you're doing. That's a gift, believe me.. I taught college for years. Many people know what they're doing, but can't explain it to other people. You're blessed with the ability to do both: know how to do something, and also have the ability to explain what he doing to someone else.

[@ThinkHarder]

im 46 years old and this young man here is teaching me new thing in each videos, he will raise my skill level , this is my kind of learning , not sitting in school but listening to someone who actually is doing the job and has the technical know how to explain how to do it, cheers Andrew

[@robocop6666666]

You have quite a lot of machines now andrew well done 🇬🇧

[@seth6059]

Your developing an excavator hording tendency, and I love it. LOL!

[@born2soon]

I'm home alone with the dog and I find myself nodding yes to Andrew's statements...I need a vacation.

[@justwayne4785]

I’m constantly amazed and grateful at the time you take to setup and demonstrate things for us, thank you so much, its really appreciated.

[@fynbo1007]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, God bless you and your family

[@Mrgreendragon3]

never clicked so fast , love your work man .

[@infosingkat7463]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYW0c6xqpbSCh8U

[@diggindirtallday7188]

Same.

[@SKC640]

Honestly making the arm solid and using the hydraulics for a thumb seems like a brilliant idea. I never would of thought of something like that.

[@bostedtap8399]

Impressive fleet Andrew, really enjoying the world of excavators. Thanks for sharing and best regards from the UK.

[@chrisclark4813]

Brilliant, very well explained, filmed and edited, and really enjoyable.

[@AndrewCamarata]

Chris Clark thanks.

[@geekdiggy]

i don't normally say something like this but that doggie paw stamp was just too adorable. levi for president.

[@silasmarner7586]

I'd vote for him any ol' day.

[@robertperkins656]

I think you should add that to all of your equipment. Make a nice company logo.

[@markfryer9880]

Levi for President is bound to be a far more productive presidency with way fewer people going to prison on his behalf. Put some common sense back into politics, vote Levi for President.

[@tyenbreck1]

Next video: it’s time to sell the backhoe! Thanks for taking the time to inform us on pros and cons for the thumb attachment! Very informative, keep teaching will keep watching!

[@MacWalther]

Fascinating. I love learning this stuff. It's funny, I'm a high speed camera operator that works at a crash lab but this seems so much more enjoyable.

[@The69powerwagon]

How is it possible for anyone to give this guy thumbs down...player haters who don't know half of what this guy knows.

[@Rattlerjake1]

One of those thumbs down is probably from Wranglerstar! I'd bet the thumbsdown come from the competition.

[@edwardgarea7650]

Have you ever considered that it might not be Andrew they’re not giving him personally a thumb’s down, but rather the subject matter of the video? I, for one, don’t care for the snowmobile videos. I get the feeling he posts some of those just to be posting something. Nor am I crazy about the jet skis or wave riders, though I do have to admire his courage for practically swimming in the Hudson. God knows what’s in that water. For instance, I like Samuel L. Jackson, but I don’t have to like every movie he makes. I’m not attacking Jackson, just the movie. I would say I’ve given a thumbs up to 99% of his videos, but there is that odd one which just doesn’t grab me. This video is one of his very best. It’s a rather brilliant essay on the importance of having a thumb on the excavator, and I got much out of it. And those very rare occasion where I don’t care for the video, rest assured that the fault lies in the subject matter, not with Andrew.

[@jberg8159]

The more I watch him the more I realize that he is a rare combination of incredibly intelligent and hardworking.

[@darrellroeters4951]

I always wonder that myself, more than likely tree huggers that hate any kind of landscaping or humans leaving their footprint.

[@darrellroeters4951]

@@edwardgarea7650 as a teenager he had toys to ride and still enjoys them.

[@____________________________.x]

TIL dogs are like excavators - they dig holes in the ground, pick up sticks and are always covered in mud.

[@sanfranciscobay]

Dogs front legs are designed to be used to dig a den from a hill side so their front legs move like an excavator in the digging position. Their rear legs push the dirt aside that the front legs have pulled out.

[@David-fv7zg]

Truth!!!!

[@cliffordarrow6557]

speaking of thumbs, i gave this a thumbs up!

[@deantrainor5405]

I love your videos Andy. I work in the UK as a Civil Engineering Professional and have no trade experience hands on with the machinery and tools used on the day to day so I really learn a lot from your videos. You're also really keen and I appreciate that!

[@DTeK]

Well Thumbs UP !! nice video as always, i remember when you had "only" 70k subscribers, without any doubts one of the best youtubers in the universe

[@iHitchiti]

I've been on KZbin since 2006. You are the first channel in about 5 years I have consistently watched every single video you put out, and are one of the only that I actively go back and watch old videos like a TV show. Please don't stop what you do. Your film and commentary work has really improved over time. I'm just stunned on how good these videos are...

[@STONEDay]

Like the leafs you just can't stop watching. If only they got better. lol

[@michaeltarasenkoop2389]

iHitchiti how do they figure how much to pay you for a log or lumber if you bring it to the mill ?

[@jamewakk]

Me too

[@CosmicStargoat]

You are absolutely correct. His videos are amazing because they are so entertaining and educational.

[@jamewakk]

Should check out mustie1 channel, it's as awesome.

[@super6954]

That was nice seeing the whole fleet of excavators all at once, and how you made Levi's foot print. Like others said the pressure is altered on the thumb spool to be lower. There is a video of a guy putting a new hyd thumb on a JCB 212 that had a double acting pedal, but it was set up to run a hammer with a free return and one feed. The kit fitting instructions told him how to plumb in the extra line and set the spool relief pressures so the thumb moved with the bucket like your Kubota does. There is a thumb kit available now for the extender style like the Deere has. JCB use the same system, the thumb bracket mounts to the bottom of the extending boom. It then has a dog leg crank in the bracket that steps out over the fixed part of the dipper stick with the rest of linkage on. The rest of the cranked out bit's not fixed to the stationary part, so the extender still slides out and the grapple goes with it. Yes a backhoe thumb's not quite so nice but it sure beats picking awkward crap up by hand and loading it in a truck L.O.L. Thanks for the video, take care .

[@davejennings4027]

Andrew you can actually add a diverter to the swing function and still have thumb and swing like the new kubota.

[@Ryan-zt1gb]

Good video man!! LOVE YOUR VIDEOS!! My dad and I watch your videos on our tv. We are big fans!!

[@LordFalconsword]

Probably should be glad Levi doesn't have thumbs, he'd probably eat more of your sandwiches when you aren't in your truck! :)

[@turbocat1984]

Pretty sure that was Lacey (?) though I guess if you have a dog as long as Andrews had Levi I'm sure you'd lose some sandwiches to him!

[@xcalibertrekker6693]

Andrew would put him to work if he had thumbs. :-)

[@seantap1415]

...He would probably make his own sandwiches if he had thumbs ...lol

[@FraLin]

dogs like his, (and mine) on this level of communication and education don't steal anything anymore, they ask for it and eventually get it gifted.

[@cmcd2677]

Really liked your presentation on the "rule of thumb". Drone flying through the arched booms was great. Thanks again!!

[@josephsayles863]

Professor Camarata-- good lesson. You explain and demonstrate all topics, even simple ones with clarity and detail. You always sound respectful of your audience. You'd be a great HS shop teacher.

[@MrRay3801]

First part of this video reminded me of when I was a kid and I would park all my toy cars in a row and just admire them! Hahahaha

[@BNSFGP38]

Great video again! That was a bad ass intro. Also take a shot every time Andrew says " thumb".

[@johndowe7003]

you tryn to kill me? lol

[@BNSFGP38]

Most people couldn't last till the Komatsu LOL

[@robertcrum6169]

That would be one hell of a challenge. I couldn't do it. Thanks

[@billhardy3024]

BNSFGP38 Tuesday and I’m hammered..

[@TheSynthnut]

Very informative Andrew, never imagined I'd be watching a 40 minute video all on thumbs, but you make it seem so natural! Thanks for taking the time and effort to put these together.

[@KubotaManDan]

Every time I see another one of your excavator videos, I wanna run out & buy one for myself. Excellent video production.

[@floriskraayenhagen9445]

19:12 That karate kick though!

[@michael7423]

You are Awesome Andrew, another great how to video, such an entertaining teacher! This is by far my favorite channel, I love everything about you and I’m proud to say it!

[@MrDemolitionmission]

Everything about Andrew and his operations are down to earth and real. Thank you for meaningful content and over the top visuals. You sell nothing but yourself. I hope you go keep this going for years and make enough profits to live like a king.

[@bobc.7740]

Andrew thanks to your wonderful videos I can now thrill my wife with a full explanation of the value of a thumb. We saw an excavator with a hydronic thumb so for the next ten miles I was able to dazzle her with your knowledge. She was so thrilled

[@Hcook97]

Another great video! I really like the new microphone setup you were using! Keep up the hard work!

[@infosingkat7463]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYW0c6xqpbSCh8U

[@mattdipilato9147]

Why do people dislike Andrews Videos he makes them on his own time and goes through editing and filming and doing all the work to HELP you guys no reason to dislike but you do you

[@turbocat1984]

YT competitors...

[@mattdipilato9147]

turbocat1984 ikr

[@georgej7077]

For our work doing land clearing and logging road, a mechanical thumb was better than no thumb, but after going hydraulic in 1990 we never looked back. Good video! 👍

[@Sharkie1717]

Amazing demonstration! Really appreciate your time and efforts putting this together. Video production, sound quality, music, drone footage, all brilliant. Keep it up! Cheers

[@joebrinson5040]

The perfect mental "snack" to have with my morning coffee. Thanks, Andrew.

[@thomaswhitten2537]

Levi said,"Is there bacon involved with this?" !!! Love that dog!!

[@jamiebonjour1325]

We had a B50 and did what you talked about with adding a tube where the swing cylinder was and adding a hydraulic thumb. Worked well.

[@jakenewton2641]

Andrew Camarata, my new reality TV show. I never know when there is a new episode.....just when it comes out I HAVE to watch it!!! Solid work man!!!! Don't ever stop!!!!

[@turbocat1984]

I think this is your most polished video yet! The sound was great! It was great to hear your thoughts as you were demonstrating the machines, as opposed to a voiceover (not that theres anything wrong with that either). Love Levis personalised stamp too :) Also drone skills at the end there! Entertaining and informative as usual. Thanks :)

[@jamesnm21]

He's definitely getting slick with the editing and presentation.

[@TylerVanAllen]

Well he's probably making more from you tube now, then he is actually excavating jobs has to keep this train rolling. But he will because its freaking Andrew.

[@TheeJMC]

You could set up a paid excavator play-day camp for adults :D

[@terrysullivan1992]

@Stephen Bullock There is such a place. Seen it on youtube but don't have the name or URL.

[@MoosesValley]

Count me in !!! But make it a week long, because a day just isn't enough !

[@pcb1962]

@@terrysullivan1992 We have those in the UK - Diggerland www.diggerland.com/rides-and-drives/

[@benc3699]

terry Sullivan Extreme Sandbox is a US company doing this

[@NBx12]

0:27 - Impressive as hell intro and a solid "fleet" of excavators! Very informative for us not in the industry

[@peanut71968]

Great way to showcase the versatility of these machines! Thanks!

[@alpenglow4243]

Thanks, Andrew, for all the extra work you put in to make this video. Much appreciated.

[@viboquet]

Hi Andrew, you live in a very beautiful region and you do a great job. A hello from Belgium

[@neb4x4]

The hyd thumb curls in with the bucket.... that's normal. The relief valve for thumb is set lower than relief for bucket. If they are set the same, you would bend/break hyd cylinders. Normal operation for a hyd thumb.

[@joelsilkett8122]

That's true and it works great. You use the thumb to grab things by pressuring the thumb against the bucket and it holds fine.

[@mhess427]

I have never operated heavy equipment nor have I worked in any field related to it and yet I was able to name the make and model of every one of your excavators (except the backhoe) Thanks for the free education, Andrew!

[@tedfarkas]

Reason for weaker hydraulic thumb force pushing against the bucket: to keep from smashing the fork. The bucket has a tremendous amount of push; if the thumb cylinder was equally strong, the forks would have to be built as strong as the bucket.

[@marykedutoit5654]

ok that's something new for me thanks!

[@South_Texas_Fail]

That intro shot was just epic Andrew.

[@karaayers2867]

Manual thumb on my takeuchi tb015 has served me well for years. One less cylinder, valve, and hoses to give trouble.

[@franktimpano802]

All of a sudden I need a mini excavator. Umm...My kubota backhoe/loader just isn't enough any more.

[@darrellroeters4951]

I had a small Kubota relatives and neighbors wanted to borrow it, only one person paid.

[@JohnnyG2573]

Oh, I just decided I’m getting a yanmar 37

[@swmas02]

Interesting videos your knowledge is outstanding from a UK follower

[@genebaskin3076]

Another great video Andrew. This Texas rancher enjoys your videos.

[@maico450]

Loved the intro Andrew! The flyover, the music and the "lineup"! Excellent work!

[@gladegordon3624]

Very informative. Going to build a hydraulic thumb for my Kubota mini and your video provides all the answers I had regarding thumbs. Thanks!

[@tnoel374]

Great instructional video thank you Andrew.

[@diggerlife211]

Been waiting Andrew for this vid! Cheers. All the way from New Zealand...

[@nicktorea4017]

Kia Ora fellow kiwi your the first New Zealander I've come across in any of these videos comments section, Andrew's the Mantis aye!!!

[@diggerlife211]

nick torea Kia ora bro! Absolutely! Wealth of knowledge. What do you do for a job Nick?

[@nicktorea4017]

I'm a machinist by trade.

[@diggerlife211]

Builder, plus mini excavator operator. Kapiti coast area

[@nicktorea4017]

What a crack up I live in Masterton your practically my neighbor with the Tararua ranges as our fence.

[@mikeRadamz]

Cool Intro! Love the GUARD DOG! Excellent Info!

[@nickmastroianni5557]

I haven't seen anyone that is anywhere near as entertaining as you Andrew. And a large part of that is due to your proficiency using your equipment. No wasted effort. Others seem to take twice as long and the results are less than pleasing. Your jobs always turn out nice.

[@ikay2102]

Thumb college 101, love it.

[@TheORBOTRON]

I don't think that machine needs a hydraulic thumb, but seeing you retrofit using the hydraulics like that would make for a great video.

[@messerj0ckel]

Love the dancing exhaust of the John Deere :D

[@brucevogel2693]

Absolutely loved the introductory theme music!!! lol

[@liawensink]

Big kudo’s for taking the time to make these video’s!

[@christopherputland3640]

Thumbs up to a great video. All the way from England..

[@gbparn]

Thanks for the schooling on thumbs. I just got me a tak 235 with hydraulic thumb. I really appreciate you proving the info.

[@thirdhandearthworks]

Thank you so much! I recently just started thinking about adding a mech thumb to my little Bobcat 323J excavator and this video just reemphasized that I should do it and that I can probably do it myself! Thanks for all you do!

[@mark-]

thanks Andrew a very informative video 😊👍

[@bretts1]

Awesome way to start day with Andrew.

[@WhoDaBoss-dc4or]

I had never paid any attention to excavator thumbs. I just assumed they were all hydraulic. Nice job , informative. 👍

[@photocontrol]

Great demo and comparison between the fixed and hydraulic thumbs! Levi's paw stamp turned out very well!

[@TomJones-zm3kz]

Can you do a video about your hitachi excavator? I'd like to know the history on it and more general info about the machine.

[@banga8080]

Bro that opening shot was cool af How's castle life treating you

[@victoryvisiontour]

Nice job explaining the pros and cons of each type and having so many pieces of equipment to show the differences. It was helpful to me that you had different objects to grab (rock, root, and log) and also showed the digging capabilities with and without the thumb. Thank you for so much useful information on thumbs.

[@harrisonexcavatingllc]

Epic intro and ending with the drone shots!

[@petereyre5188]

Great intro and outro sequences. Good choice of music. Very informative 👍

[@markkopf7526]

Great Video Andrew with excellent info.

[@BMPWR]

Thank you for the great video! I've now decided to make a thumb for our excavator when it gets here.

[@AngryRambro]

Niece work, but I would have covered the rod with something when grinding and welding, bits will stick to it and drag past the seals causing damage

[@frotobaggins7169]

you really have a talent for creating amazing content. thank you.

[@HaroldReece]

What a good video, you are an excellent teacher, thanks Andrew.

[@patrickbaitman8336]

Thanks for all the hard work making these videos! You went the extra mile with the demonstrations in this one. Very clear and concise! Great work!

[@ronhart4166]

Very informative !! 👍 Might I also say. I love the relationship you have with your parents. You seem to be around them very often.

[@Farmall450]

That's a great idea. Now I wouldn't remove the hydraulics to swing the boom, but I would add quick connects and lines out to the thumb, with a new cylinder there. That way you could have either in a minute

[@tonybrooms]

32:40 ... Extendable Dipper ... Levi thought you said 'Expensive Dinner' ... and Barked YES

[@terryburge6763]

You are the master. Every time you use an excavator I can't help but wish I had one! So much more handy than a tractor for so many reasons. And you make it look like you can pickup anything from a small branch to big rocks or trees.

[@dlugas251]

Best of your videos so far. My 4 yo son is addicted to watching your digging. Instead of asking me to play him kids movies he's asking me to play your digging videos several times a day.