View Full Version : Thumb cost for pc150...
mrusk
08-13-2009, 08:03 PM
Last year I took alot of schit on this site for buying a 150 size excavator. Alot of people asked "why does a landscaper need a big hoe?" Well I have been using it alot lately and have other jobs coming in where I need it. I should almost have the money made back from purchasing it after the next job.
I'd like to add a thumb to it. Its already plumbed for a hammer so no lines need to be ran. Whats a good quality thumb and whats the cost?
stuvecorp
08-13-2009, 08:21 PM
Last year I took alot of schit on this site for buying a 150 size excavator. Alot of people asked "why does a landscaper need a big hoe?" Well I have been using it alot lately and have other jobs coming in where I need it. I should almost have the money made back from purchasing it after the next job.
I'd like to add a thumb to it. Its already plumbed for a hammer so no lines need to be ran. Whats a good quality thumb and whats the cost?
It may not work, a hammer is all 'one-way' flow and you need to open and close the thumb. It can be expensive, just too warn you...
coopers
08-13-2009, 08:40 PM
http://www.cwsindustries.com/products/excavator-hydraulic-progressive-link-thumbs.aspx
http://www.psmcorp.com/products/thumbs/S2MR_PL.cfm
Stuve's right, it'll be pricey but worth it IMO.
bobcat_ron
08-13-2009, 08:40 PM
$10,000-$15,000 is the average cost installed on a 15-20 ton excavator with 2 way hydraulics and thumb, depending on pro-link or direct link.
DUSTYCEDAR
08-13-2009, 08:46 PM
i like jello
Dirtman2007
08-13-2009, 09:26 PM
Well I would not own a Excavator without a thumb, Being that its alread plumbed it will be cheaper than running all the lines and installing a thumb.
I think the huge thumb thats on my volvo 210, course it was already plumbed was around 8K. But this is by far one of the best thumbs on the market in my eyes.
you can always buy a cheap fixed thumb if you can't afford a hydraulic one, but if possible I'd go with the hydraulic as fixed thumbs just piss you off:laugh:
here's a link
to some cheaper one
http://www.excavatorthumb.com/
Scag48
08-13-2009, 09:41 PM
I'm a fan of PSM thumbs and buckets, CWS makes a good thumb as well but there are only a couple styles I like from CWS. Outfit I'm with now LOVES CWS but the long tine thumbs drive me nuts. Weldco Beales makes some decent stuff and I've even seen a couple Hendrix thumbs that aren't too bad.
mrusk
08-13-2009, 09:42 PM
Man I did not know how expensive they were! I can't spend 15k on a thumb for a excavator that I bought for 35k.
jefftb
08-13-2009, 09:48 PM
Bet you can....:rolleyes:
id just like to put this out there..not even gray...
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/grd/1312596572.html
Scag48
08-13-2009, 10:24 PM
id just like to put this out there..not even gray...
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/grd/1312596572.html
That would be a good deal if it actually isn't gray. Looking at it, I'd say it isn't. However that place is known for pushing gray units so you can't be sure unless the machine is right in front of you.
Scag48
08-13-2009, 10:39 PM
They'll throw those stickers on Cat iron that wasn't bought there if it was serviced there. It's unlikely but I've seen it. Just playing devil's advocate! Given the joystick installation and thumb choice, I'd say the machine did in fact come through NC. Not a bad deal even if it was a gray.:drinkup:
P.Services
08-13-2009, 11:01 PM
if it was a 308 i would consider.
mrusk
08-13-2009, 11:04 PM
Thats a good deal. The machine looks clean. Id be tempted to buy it if a 311 wasn't too small for my needs. I need a longer reach for backfilling.
Dirtman2007
08-13-2009, 11:11 PM
I don't see much advantage in Progressive linked thumb. If you get one thats not a cheap POS it will be able to grab things up close anyways.
All I can say is a thumb is worth its weight in gold.
Just found a couple pics of the thumb I have, not sure if it will help any but here's two pics.
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee145/Letsdig18/007-93.jpg
http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee145/Letsdig18/008-76.jpg
bobcat_ron
08-13-2009, 11:16 PM
One thing you do not want to do is go with the cheap-o version that use a separate pin and weld right on to the stick, you really need to have the thumb that is mounted to the bucket pin, the cheap-o versions are terrible at full rotation and they put more stress on your stick end when grabbing with full force.
RockSet N' Grade
08-13-2009, 11:34 PM
Dirtman........that thumb is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l!!!! Who makes it and where did it come from? I want to put that info in my files.
MRusk.........you should be able to get a direct link thumb and have it installed for between $8-10,000........maybe even a progressive. Do not, what ever you do, get a fixed unit. They cost too much in the way of lost productivity, getting in the way, frustration and on and on. There is a company near your area that should be able to hook you up.......just can't remember their name right now.......will have to look at my thumb notes.......
coopers
08-14-2009, 05:22 AM
I don't see much advantage in Progressive linked thumb. If you get one thats not a cheap POS it will be able to grab things up close anyways.
Too a point. You have a unique grade beam when grading, a lot of us back here use an actual I-beam and trying to grade with that when you have a direct link thumb sucks! I hated using my boss's stupid POS gray market Hitachi 120 and 200 both w/ direct link thumbs. I haven't had to do a rockery yet but I would get irritated real quick w/o a prog. linked thumb. It's funny to see the differences in thumb preferences and opinions from one side of the country to the other. Other than that yeah, I agree that clearing, brush removal etc. it's not a huge deal to have a direct link. But if I owned an excavator I'd grit my teeth and cough up the extra dough to have a prog. linked thumb so when I need to grade w/ an I-beam or put in a rockery it goes a little smoother.
coopers
08-14-2009, 05:23 AM
They'll throw those stickers on Cat iron that wasn't bought there if it was serviced there. It's unlikely but I've seen it. Just playing devil's advocate! Given the joystick installation and thumb choice, I'd say the machine did in fact come through NC. Not a bad deal even if it was a gray.:drinkup:
What's up w/ the thumb paint going up the stick a little. It seemed that I only saw this odd paint scheme on gray market excavators.
coopers
08-14-2009, 08:08 AM
Anyone recognize this? I can't read the writing on the thumb....it's on a Tak mini.
Scag48
08-14-2009, 08:54 AM
Don't know about the thumb, but I know that's your FAVORITE brand of buckets.:laugh:
Dirt Digger2
08-14-2009, 01:10 PM
i never liked thumbs...i always believed that real operators don't need one...but i also know they make productivity better and i am a fan of that...this one has always been fine when ever i had to use it
http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll165/dirtdigger2/7-9-08003.jpg
coopers
08-14-2009, 08:40 PM
Don't know about the thumb, but I know that's your FAVORITE brand of buckets.:laugh:
BAH! CP is...well u know.
stuvecorp
08-14-2009, 08:51 PM
Anyone recognize this? I can't read the writing on the thumb....it's on a Tak mini.
Towtem? They have a sweet rock grapple that is all the rage in the Twin Cities.
I kind of like the bucket that Brain Hay has on his 'Mutant' excavator.:)
Dirtman2007
08-14-2009, 09:03 PM
Dirtman........that thumb is b.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l!!!! Who makes it and where did it come from? I want to put that info in my files.
MRusk.........you should be able to get a direct link thumb and have it installed for between $8-10,000........maybe even a progressive. Do not, what ever you do, get a fixed unit. They cost too much in the way of lost productivity, getting in the way, frustration and on and on. There is a company near your area that should be able to hook you up.......just can't remember their name right now.......will have to look at my thumb notes.......
Its a ACS bucket and thumb. They were made to it on this machine so that the thumb tines match up with the spaces inbeween the bucket teeth. It was installed buy our volvo dealer when the machine was bought. bucket is a 48" and I think the thumb is somewhere around 36" wide. In my eyes the wider the thumb the better. I hate those little narrow thumbs.
RockSet N' Grade
08-14-2009, 10:49 PM
www.mcfaulkner.com
these guys are in gorham maine.........they may be something to look into........I knew if I thought about it long enough, these two brain cells would fire off and remember
Junior M
08-16-2009, 01:31 AM
Its a ACS bucket and thumb. They were made to it on this machine so that the thumb tines match up with the spaces inbeween the bucket teeth. It was installed buy our volvo dealer when the machine was bought. bucket is a 48" and I think the thumb is somewhere around 36" wide. In my eyes the wider the thumb the better. I hate those little narrow thumbs.
You are right about the wider the thumb, get a narrow thumb and it is horrible for the little stuff..
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