Fitting A Thumb To Your Mini Excavator | Workshop Series

Fitting A Thumb To Your Mini Excavator | Workshop Series
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[@BertPle]

Just a quick tip: when you weld, protect the hydraulic cilinders (and hoses): a small weld spatter on it will destroy the seals in the cilinder. And of course stay in the area where you weld for at least 30 minutes to be sure non of the sparks will ignite when you leave the garage.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I know, when I was doing it I thought, I should have protected it all. 😀

[@R94GC]

just posted a video to my channel of me testing one of these mini excavators with a TMK 150 tree sheer. I was mind blown how well it handled 5-6" diameter trees!

[@ern48]

Nice job, having a thumb even a rigid thump is 100x better than none.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It will give me many more options now for work.

[@ern48]

@@HomesteadingUncontained Yes, it sure will make your mini more useful. I am from Washington state where most excavators have thumbs for logs, brush and rocks. I now live in the Azores where there are trillions of rocks and very few thumbs. Enjoy your machine, very handy to have for your projects.

[@johnp3427]

Just a little bit of advice, if you are welding around a hydraulic cylinder Always shield it. If splatter hit it it will mess up your seals.

[@rogerday6184]

Good advice

[@johnp3427]

@rogerday6184 you did a great job on the installation. And your good with it also. Very agile. Nice work

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I was thinking about that with regards the hydraulic lines too. Thanks for the tips. 👍🏻

[@why67152]

Thank you!!

[@davidlake5550]

Very true, I do that kind of preparation before any welding, be safe than sorry! Awesome video, you're going to love the thumb. To me, a thumb is just as important as having a bucket and a rake attachment!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It has been very useful so far. Thanks for the comments 👍🏻

[@harryiv6107]

What a fantastic treat on a Wednesday evening! Im glad to see you putting that thumb on it will come in handy me then you think I’m sure.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thanks Harry, I try to keep the build project to Sundays and anything else for the Wednesday.

[@joejoebkeith9459]

Hydraulic thumb is well worth the money

[@kevinbushey1879]

It’s a nice little machine, love your video and your wife the two of you have a nice life.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

We just realised we really do need to plan for the future. We are still working but this is now hour 2nd full time job too 😀

[@tomoaktree4951]

Hi Ian, You did a great job installing the new Thumb for your Mini Excavator. I just recently purchased a second Mini Excavator. I had a 3 ton unit which was an awesome machine. The only issue was hauling it back and forth 300 miles between my regular house and my cottage in Northern Wisconsin. The second machine i just got is a CAT 300.9. It was 4 years old, with only 300 hours on it. It was very well taken care of, looking like new! I was considering a Chinese machine, until I fount this one. Happy digging!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I am always looking for a larger machine, now we have somewhere secure on the plot to keep it as our big issue was hauling it from our current home to the plot so this little machine was the biggest we could tow.

[@harryonfraggle]

I ordered the grapple attachment when I got my one, I would of added a chamfer or bevel edge before a couple of beads of weld with a couple of passes..

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Yes, I missed it - trouble trying to film stuff, you forget sometimes.

[@dougadams9419]

There is a Hydraulic Thumb kit for these excavators on the 4 color letter auction site. $350 USD ($531 AUD) I could not do much with the fixed mechanical thumb, so I bought the kit and installed it on my QH12.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I did think about the hydraulic option, but the amount of times I need it is negligible (no trees on our land). I would prefer it though 😀

[@453421abcdefg12345]

That is an excellent addition to your mini pel, it will make wall building with those heavy stones much easier, I lift them up with a bracket screwed to the stone with a long concrete screw, I find it works very well but time consuming, but the thumb wold be a very good thing to fit on my Volvo EC 140. a mini pel is a must have for all those small jobs we have around the site. Chris B.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I have used it quite a few time on the rocks we are finding around the place.

[@JimsEquipmentShed]

The welds are fine, I used a mig to do my backhoe thumb, and almost 20 years later it’s still fine.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Jim - it seems to be doing OK.

[@George-sp9vu]

Great video guys , Am restoring an old JCB myself. Looking forward to next one . Thanks

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thanks George, I am always looking for an older machine to back into working order. A few sizes up would be great.

[@alan-sk7ky]

Ian, as you have the accessory piping for tools (auger etc) might you not consider adding an hydraulic ram to the thumb for extra dexteriy etc 🙂 might mean having to mod/move the hinges though.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

May do in the future but I want to see ho much I use it. At the moment with rocks and fence posts but it may slacken off a little.

[@colinnapier6662]

Looks like a great addition to the wee digger, perfect for rocks & logs. Great job with the installation getting the tooth at the correct location.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Colin 👍🏻

[@SimonCoates]

I've got a hydraulic thumb on order for my Chigger, should be here at the end of month so your video is well timed, thank you. I had a little chuckle 'cos I can't believe how similar our equipment and projects are. I even have the same welding helmet 😂

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

haha, I am always surprised what comes up in my feed when I am doing projects....they are listening all the time.

[@njipods]

where did you order yours from? and how much was it?

[@SimonCoates]

@@njipods Hi, are you in the UK?

[@njipods]

@@SimonCoates yeah I'm in the Uk

[@RooT2K20]

Also interested in a hydraulic thumb for one of these mini diggers. Can you share what you found? :)

[@clive2813]

I like this video. I Couldn’t work out what a thumb was at the beginning but you know, no harm in learning something new 😊

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

haha, bit like me when I bought this machine......then I went oh yeah, I could have done with that 🤣

[@AlexKall]

Never used one, thumbs are not a thing where I live but I can see it can be useful on a mini.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It will be useful on the house build when we have to start lifting things up to roof level etc. Can't wait.

[@uk82punkz]

i am currently trying the chinese to send me a hydraulic thumb to my XN10. i have never experienced so many questions and problems. will probably end up me making my own from scratch. cheers from sweden

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It may be easier, just get a piston off line and go from there.

[@njipods]

i had the same problem. the postage was extortionate. i may also have to make my own!

[@uk82punkz]

@@HomesteadingUncontained after lots and lots of google search i finally found a set in germany. i hope this will sort out my problems.

[@alexbruski1138]

Nice install video. I ordered my Vote VTW-18 with a hydraulic thumb and am glad that I did.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Yes,, I think I would always advise people to go for the the thumb, even if you never use it, it is an option if ever you did need it.

[@mikepottes]

Hey, is possible that there is air in the system is the number one cause of jerky hydraulics. The welding looked fine btw from the welding that you can see the tensile strength is huge as long as you got a really good puddle in your base Steel. You're not going to be lifting the Titanic with it anyways. 🍺🍺🇨🇦

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I have sort of got used to it now - you may be right about the air as the initial start up and movements are a little jerky and once it settles down it is ok - cheers for the weld (they are still on there) 👍🏻

[@richardbodor3318]

China Blue has a thumb! Great video loved the step by step with your thought process. :D Cheers from the USA. Keep posting.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Richard - I still need to paint it through (trying to get the blue colour)

[@why67152]

Thanks! Think I will buy one!!

[@karlhunakonahollis]

Nice job! Sending love and light to you both.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you ♥️

[@dougtravins9624]

Thumbs up on that project!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@TreeChangeFarmer]

This is perfect Ian! I have the same bits in a box (somewhere) but not got around to fitting as yet. The newer versions of my UHI mini digger come standard with the thumbs now. Cheers Dave.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

They should do - when I asked for this thumb they were going to send over a whole new boom arm but I mentioned I could weld so they chucked it in a crate for another client not too far from me. (free shipping 😀)

[@lorrainebayford177]

That’s awesome Ian. 👏👏👏

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you 👍🏻

[@dougwalk8034]

Mg welding is just as strong as stick [arc] welding, if not stronger, as long as the metal is clean, by the sound of that little welder, it is plenty hot enough for that job, you should have seen both sides melting, you will have no problem with those welds, from a long time certified welder !!!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Doug, I just need more practice, lots of smaller projects I can get experience on soon.

[@onepanther69]

nice job

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@northernoz]

Mit is as good as a stick welder, just need the amps up, and wire feed set right, your mig looks like it should weld up to 1/4er plate

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It works good, nothing has broken yet. It was the biggest one I could afford at the time

[@grahammoss5373]

Thanks for the info. I’ve just bought an E12 Pro with the Thumb from the same factory.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Let me know how it goes - I am still in contact with them regularly so I want to make sure they still give good service.

[@joelnickerson6739]

Awesome job Ian. If I was going to buy a mini digger I would have the thumb on it. That is a must. I know you will use yours alot. Take care my friends.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Yes, it was daft of me not too, but they wanted nearly $500 more for a mechanical thumb.....at the time...too much for me.

[@joelnickerson6739]

@@HomesteadingUncontained I understand completely my friend. I'm buying some parts for my tractor to make it easier on me. Lol.😄

[@chrismedaris4873]

Great job 🎉

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you! 😁

[@milesabove5259]

When i seen they had a remote control mower, I realised these people have plenty of time and are just playing games on their land for fun.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

yeah right.... I wish I did have the time to mess around.

[@JeffRedington-zq7je]

Nice job!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

cheers Jeff 👍🏻

[@aurick861]

NICe job Ian. I made my own thumb for my minidigger, much less heavyduty, but still way string, i managed to very easyly bend the bigger 80cm wide bucket.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I wanted to make my own but I was lucky with this one as they gave it to me as a gift and it was shipped in another guys crate who lives locally. I was going to buy the one from Deleks as it was not too much more than the raw materials.

[@lisacadona1234]

Enjoying everyy minute of your build it is really looking amazing we are just about to start our vegie and fruit tree garden as our house is almost finish 😊

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

The house is next for us but we are trying to get everything surrounding the workshop finished and looking nice so to keep the neighbours happy. Then we start the big build... 😀 (plus we are saving up)

[@tiff9137]

Go Tiff's ⚓ 😉👍🏻

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers....833 entry (old fart)

[@gene80shits]

well done. looks the business.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Gene

[@chiefkyle1098]

Could replace the solid bar that holds the thumb still, with a hydraulic cylinder and connect the cylinder to the third hose on your boom?

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I may in the future but for now I will see how many times I use it.

[@georgewest2096]

At least three passes and your fine.

[@theinfernalcraftsman]

Mig weld it and go on. Even if you welded half of it there would still be more strength than needed as that machine can't put enough stress on it to worry about. All heave construction equipment is mid welded at the factory. I spent the weekend welding on my neighbors trailer and welding stuff up to 1/2: plate is so much easier than welding thin body panels. Did some stick welding on it and didn't enjoy it... The stench and the mess is enough to remind me why I don't like stick welding. I really want one of those but I need one with a cab for our weather. We just had a weekend off from summer and back to the usual 110* tomorrow.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

That was what I was thinking - it is a tiny machine anyway so the weld may be the strongest part 😀

[@paddys3071]

disconnect battery terminal when doing welding on machine, it could fry up alternator or some electronics

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I think the battery was on charge but totally agree.

[@philippw1971]

Nice addition to the digger! You should have welded it in several passes with maximum penetration, to reinforce the weld. Have you thought about converting the thumb to hydraulic, by replacing the flat bar with a small cylinder?

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

There is not too much room for hydraulic. I just wanted it simple to begin with.

[@Pinzpilot101]

I,m thinking of doing this....winter project maybe...??? I need it for picking up logs and putting them on the Unimog.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I won't use it all the time but it will definitely come in handing when we do need it.

[@bsrcat1]

Advice for welding in the future. I don't know if that's going to stay but in the future, this is just good practice on anything whenever you are mig welding thick steel... Remove all the paint and any mill scale. Take a grinder and bevele your edge, this will allow you to do at least two passed with getting enough heat into steel so you good good penetration in your weld. Turn up the heat (don't be shy) and wire speed. Keep your ground clamp close to your weld. Remember you are not using a glue gun. Your goal is to melt the steel on each side, you'll fire or welding rod is just what that melted steel sticks to. Last but not least, she'll do what you don't want splatter on like your hydraulic ram underneath. Any piece of slag that sticks to it will ruin your seals and you end up with a hydraulic leak. That's just good advice for welding thick steel. Good luck on all of your projects.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I know, I rushed this a little bit - I am normally al to more conscious of the prep - I have the underside of my wife's car (floor pan) so I will keep all of this in mind. (she has been waiting for two years now 🤣)

[@scottfoster2487]

Several passes with mig is plenty . Add a few short strips of weld in the inside the bracket . Never hurts to put a few extra beads of weld if one is questioning the strrenght.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I tried to get as much on the inside as I could. I think it will be good. Cheers

[@thenorthernwoodhouse5015]

well done you did ok with weld lol i have not got a clue about welding lol another brill vid but you missed your wife (Julie) out of this one lol take care thanks for the vid look forward for the next big nick

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Julie is boss of the remote lawn mower now....she had a cameo part this time 😀

[@user-ml6cp4tj7c]

You did put a lot thought in to the tune haven't you?😅😅😅😅 looks good ... God bless you...

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

hahaha, thank you 😀

[@harryc1108]

Hi Ian I’m a metal fabricator myself just answering your question will the mig weld be strong it should be as long as you had it on a high amp and really burnt the metal into. I loved how you grinned off the original paint before may people don’t think about the prep being an important part of the process

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Harry, really appreciate it - I do remember some things from my apprenticeship - although I am not sure we used Mig at the time.

[@bobmorris3758]

Hi Ian, you've done a great job and impressed with your alignment of the brackets in relation to the bucket - very important. I noticed you still dont use the stabiliser legs on the trailer when loading and unloading the digger - any reason for this ?? Keep up the great work 👍

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

What I have found is that when I put the stabilisers down it keeps the ramp to steep and the blade drags. So offloading on this slope and allowing the trailer to sag a little it makes for a smoother offload. If it was on the tractor, for sure I would use them but that van is pretty heavy.

[@douglasthompson2740]

With a small welder especially you need to bevel your black edges back and you should grind the paint off at a minimum. You can do quite a bit with a small welder but it will require two or three passes and the 'v' created by beveling gives you the penetration you need.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I don't know why I forgot to do that, I normally do - it is the filming part, always makes you rush 🤪

[@per-erikhellgren3300]

put the hydraliccylinder on the thumb

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I may do in the future

[@ManiERH]

Hi Ian, Thanks for the all of the videos around the mini digger. Would you mind doing a current breakdown on the price it has come to, to date please? I’m considering buying one or renting. How do you consider it regarding maintenance costs? Little mods etc…? Best of luck ER Hanley

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

So far I have just bought two hydraulic hoses locally which were about €100. The thumb was free and came over in another guys crate who lives near to me. The machine itself with all shipping and customs fees was €7000. Maintenance is easy enough, I have done two oil changes so far and also renewed the hydraulic oil (still a baby in the hours department). It has more than paid for itself in rental but more importantly the convenience of having it to hand is worth more than anything.

[@georgewest2096]

A: Thats MIG, not TIG. B: I bet it works great. Your desire to do things right will pay off. You may want to add more counter weight.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Yes, it does rock a little - I really want to do something with the dozer blade - it is too close and does not raise very high. Still thinking.

[@rpwsalina]

Very nice ! How long did it take to arrive ?😊

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I had it shipped in someone else's crate to safe money.... they went on holiday for a month so it took a couple of month. But if posted normally, it would only take a few weeks.

[@whathasxgottodowithit3919.]

For your application the Mig welder will be fine, if it fails you know what you need to do.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

haha, add more weld. I think it is working OK.

[@johnhintz2694]

Mig is fine 🙂 😍

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers john 👍🏻

[@saxon6335]

Nice job, do you have a link to where you got the thumb been looking for one for a while, thanks.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I got it from the digger supplier in China - Nuoman Engineering. But Deleks also do a mini ex thumb (search deleks)

[@rjung_ch]

👍💪✌️

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you

[@jeanpaulberrios5024]

Hi what’s the brand of the motor? Koop , kubota? It’s sounds smooth maybe the video 😊

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Yes, it is a Koop

[@njipods]

my main arm cylinder has the pipes facing forwards. looks like someone put some more effort into yours and put the pipes out the back.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I didn't really notice that - I am now going to look

[@OlesMusic]

Why did you choose a mechanic thumb over an hydraulic thumb?

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cost and ease of install plus there is not too much room under that boom.

[@8700s14]

I don’t think it will fall off any time soon, there is hardly any load being put on it. Don’t know why they bother putting a grease point on it?

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Mmm, yes, it is now covered in dirt and crap. I may leave it uncreased in future.

[@JohnDoe-fg2oq]

Why not put a hydro one one?

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

The amount of time I need it , it was not worth the extra expense. Plus it is tiny.

[@MsTim230]

Where Did you get the thumb i cant find them

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I got this one from the manufacture (Nuoman Engineering) but Deleks also do a weld on thumb.

[@mickducati1947]

you made it look easy 👍

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you - I am always worried about welding

[@krislake9790]

If it falls of Arc weld next time.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Will do...🤣

[@unclebuck5051]

Hi, who made the thumb. Make and model number if you have it. Great video.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It came from Numoman Engineering who supplied the excavator

[@unclebuck5051]

@@HomesteadingUncontained Thanks.

[@Jijhebtmijnnaamnietnodig]

wen welding anything with a battery disconect it

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I did turn off the cutoff switch, but I totally agree 👍🏻

[@greghanson5696]

Jolly Good Show!

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Cheers Greg, much appreicated 👍🏻

[@jasoncheetham577]

clean paint off ya mad man then weld

[@jasoncheetham577]

got a digger for 5 days at my place levelling tie round mucho big rocks too i think

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Weld thru paint....it is all the rage.

[@jtsokiehobbyandadventures6666]

Hope you don't bend that thum. Looks light weight. Adding a hydraulic to it makes alot nicer to use. I have 100amp mig welder that I weld everything with.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

It is as tough as the machine itself, it should be fine. The hydraulic may come later but I will see how much I use it. My welder is only little one....may need to upgrade 😀

[@kevinbushey1879]

Not bad . It doesn’t matter what people think of your weld remember nobody really cares.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

haha, exactly. They are holding up 👍🏻

[@joejoebkeith9459]

Get a hydraulic thumb. We'll worth it.

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

I am looking into adding a ram - I do not use it much though at the moment - no trees to move 😬

[@KMTmojo]

中國挖掘機，歐洲拍的視頻最好的就是你們🎉🎉🎉 很愛惜機器😂😂😂 農場很漂亮❤❤ 反觀美國，一堆紅脖子口頭仇視中國，可是看到中國挖掘機，完全忘記maga口號，爭先恐後大量進口😂😂😂完全忘記愛國這件事😂😂😂 機器很便宜，紅脖子也很cheap😂😂 美國進口的機型可多了，高級版的如，sany, 中階版的很多有油壓thumb, 因為他們要拔樹樁或者移動巨石 美國人普遍不愛護機器也是真的😂😂😂還有用榔頭敲機殼的😂😂😂

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

hahaha, yes, you are right. 👍🏻

[@sedricwashington6897]

nice job

[@HomesteadingUncontained]

Thank you! Cheers!