How much $$ to add a thumb?

[Shimmy1]

I'm not familiar with movindirt's story, but if someone tells me they had to replace the swing gear, the first thing I think of is the pinion gear under the swing drive. Reason I say this is I believe most machines have the swing bearing and ring gear as one unit, so if they were replacing the whole gear they would most likely just say "swing bearing" or rotec. You could very well pull the inspection cover on any machine you're looking at, might give you some insight. If the grease is hard and dry or whitish colored then it probably hasn't been maintained the best. You would also be able to see/feel the teeth on the main gear. Real truth of the matter is any used machine could be a goldmine or a money pit. You have a 50/50 shot, and hopefully, with a good inspection, the odds can be in your favor. :my2c

 

[IAMVANDEMON]

Not sure what happened, but I thought I posted basically this ^^ yesterday. Only thing that has to be accounted for is pressure relief in the thumb cylinder. $6500 will get you a very capable hydraulic thumb if you have aux hydraulics. That's what it cost me for the thumb and materials, it took me and another guy about 2 days to build and install.

Do yo have your set-up and equipment posted somewhere. I'd be very interested in seeing it.

Cheers
Van

 

[Shimmy1]

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.co...run/page3&highlight=more+making+the+water+run
https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134598&stc=1&d=1430363905
https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=134599&stc=1&d=1430363934

 

[RedMcC]

Bottom-line up front: you should probably allow at least USD4000.

I'm in Australia so costs will probably be quite different for you; however, I've just been through the process of adding a hydraulic thumb onto an EX200-2 (Hitachi 20T machine). So here is my experience...

I imported mine from China (happy to send you the details of the firm that I used - they were quite good!). I welded it on myself, first welding job ever. I probably was excessive with my prep and the number of beads I ran but it seems to be holding well! I'm picking up 4T rocks with no problems at all (I'm cutting in / clearing a road on our property which is a steep slope (1:4). My excavator has hammer piping, and I've just connected up to to move the thumb - it moves quickly but is very controllable.

My only suggestion if you follow this path - pay attention to the hydraulic fittings! There are so many different sorts and it is just like travelling to a foreign country without AC-power adapters - you can cut the hose and replace the fittings (if there is length), but they are not cheap!

Costs were:
- Hydraulic Thumb HH2458, US$2250
- Shipping (China to Australia) US$110
- Customs Duties/Fees AUD850!! (so around USD700!)
- 250Amp welder AUD 250
- Welding course, AUD400
- Consumables (paint, grinding wheels, degreaser, gasless welding wire etc) ~AUD100

 

[movindirt]

Thanks Shimmy1, that certainly does help. I'll probably only be putting 100-200 hours a year on the machine so I can live with some wear, but I've been trying to farm with worn out junk for so long I want to find something that's still solid. I looked at a Link-Belt 2800 in Oregon last month that I liked but felt it might be bigger than I need. It did have a nice forestry type guarding on the cab, which I would probably want to install/fabricate on whatever I end up with. I may go look at it again if nothing comes from the auction.

I think it was Movindirt that mentioned having to replace the swing gear on his 215; this is different from the swing bearing, correct? Is it easy to inspect these? I think I read they have a cover with only four bolts and run in grease, is this something I could do with an adjustable wrench at the auction yard?

The gears I was referring to are in the case that is between the swing motor and the ring gear, so it could be done without separating the house from the track frame. it would be inside this unit here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cat-Caterpi...491070?hash=item280a7a7bbe:g:OTMAAOSwT5tWJoIa

This drives the ring gear that is alongside the swing bearing. There really isn't any way to visually inspect these gears, you would spend a couple of hours pulling it apart to see them :Banghead If you run the machine swing it from side to side, let off the swing so it stops fairly quickly, if it makes a lot of noise and clunking around I would run, and run fast. there is a couple of pictures in the thread below of mine.

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?41163-Homemade-Wrecking-Ball/page2

Do you have a link online that we could see a picture of the machine your looking at? A picture is worth a thousand words after all..


Edit: the ebay add isn't mine, just using it for a picture reference.

 

[mfowler]

Unfortunately the 215 has not arrived to the auction yard, so I have not seen it yet. It's supposed to be a 1990 LC, don't know how many hours. Does anyone know if that would be a "D" series? Here is a link for the Hyundai 130:

https://www.rbauction.com/1998-HYUN...d=8843505&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168

Here is the Link-Belt 2800:

http://www.mylittlesalesman.com/link-belt-2800-cii-excavator-8471867

RedMcC, any pics of your project?

 

[movindirt]

Unfortunately the 215 has not arrived to the auction yard, so I have not seen it yet. It's supposed to be a 1990 LC, don't know how many hours. Does anyone know if that would be a "D" series? Here is a link for the Hyundai 130:

https://www.rbauction.com/1998-HYUN...d=8843505&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168

Here is the Link-Belt 2800:

http://www.mylittlesalesman.com/link-belt-2800-cii-excavator-8471867

RedMcC, any pics of your project?

That would be a 215 D LC if it is a 1990, I beleive the last 215 was made in 92'.

 

[movindirt]

This machine is at the same sale... wouldn't be too bad. https://www.rbauction.com/1979-CATERPILLAR-225?invId=8925715&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168

Might be a little bigger than you want, but I'd bet it sells for less than the 215, unless the 215 is a total heap.

 

[mfowler]

I saw that also, it was a late addition. They've just posted the full series of pics, looks to me like the u/c is showing some wear? That certainly would be a beast of a machine though, and it's got the all-important hydraulic thumb. If it went cheap enough it could be a good deal for low hour use; a guy could even buy something smaller down the road for more delicate work. I've always wanted a track loader with a hoe attachment, maybe that would be the way to go. I hope they get the 215 in soon.

 

[movindirt]

I saw that also, it was a late addition. They've just posted the full series of pics, looks to me like the u/c is showing some wear? That certainly would be a beast of a machine though, and it's got the all-important hydraulic thumb. If it went cheap enough it could be a good deal for low hour use; a guy could even buy something smaller down the road for more delicate work. I've always wanted a track loader with a hoe attachment, maybe that would be the way to go. I hope they get the 215 in soon.

Just looked through the pics of the undercarriage, looked like it had plenty of life left in it to me.

 

[mfowler]

Just looked through the pics of the undercarriage, looked like it had plenty of life left in it to me.

Movindirt,
Well my eyes aren't that good anymore but on page twelve of the U/C section it looks to me like one of the bushings is cracked? Also I thought the rock guards are running a little close to the pads (worn bottom rollers?) But I could be wrong (I frequently am, haha) so I hope you will take a look at that and chime in again. I appreciate you helping me out with this.

 

[movindirt]

Movindirt,
Well my eyes aren't that good anymore but on page twelve of the U/C section it looks to me like one of the bushings is cracked? Also I thought the rock guards are running a little close to the pads (worn bottom rollers?) But I could be wrong (I frequently am, haha) so I hope you will take a look at that and chime in again. I appreciate you helping me out with this.

Not sure about the bushing, can't really tell for sure if it is a crack or not. The rock guards on our 215 sit down pretty close to the tracks as well. I am by no means a expert either, just doesn't look too badly worn imo. It would be nice if one of the track experts on here chimed in...

 

[Shimmy1]

Rollers are definitely used, sprockets look pretty good. Rails are definitely on the tail end, but should run awhile. Machine sure looks clean and well taken care of. I wouldn't have to try that hard to believe it had 12K hours. I'm sure it's possible it's 22K, but then again that might not be the original meter. In any case it sure looks nice for a almost 40 year old machine. Should have quite a few hours left in her, if she's really in as good a shape as she looks. On something that old, God only knows the entire history unless it's a one owner machine.

 

[SecretSouris]

Hi there. My husband just bought a mechanical thumb at Ritchie Auction in Toronto, Canada for $2,100. He will be installing it himself. He plans to convert it to a hydraulic thumb down the road, maybe ... Depending on the cost and real need.

 

[RedMcC]

RedMcC, any pics of your project?

I don't have many photos of the installation. I did it 99% by myself, except aligning the pins when my wife provided a second set of eyes ("up / down - there!!!"). I got to say that these things weigh a lot when you have to move them by hand (this is on a 20T machine so the whole kit weighed around 600kgs (1200lbs).

This is one of the base plate being tacked into place (note the pipe on the left that is providing the bucket spacing I was looking for):


The thumb in action with few of the rocks I'm dealing with:

 

[mfowler]

Looking good RedMcC; welding in a rugby jersey; I like it. Thanks for the pics.

 

[mfowler]

Well the 215 finally showed up. Here is a link to the machine:

https://www.rbauction.com/1990-CATERPILLAR-215D-LC?invId=8920106&id=ci&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2016168

Very high hours but the u/c looks good to my eyes. Looks like at least one of the boom cylinders needs repacking, maybe both? This is a late model 215, weighs in right at 44,000 or a little more with the thumb on it. I'm really kicking myself right now for letting this one get away from me.

https://www.rbauction.com/1998-CASE-9020B?invId=8788357&id=ar&auction=SACRAMENTO-CA-2015289

So can anyone clue me in to the pros and cons of a long carriage machine, which this 215 is? I'm thinking it would be more stable on steep slopes, which I have plenty of. It's looking like the choice for me is between the 215 and the Hyundai 130 Robex. All things being equal I would prefer the Cat, but it's got over 14,000 hours on it vs. 4,700 for the Hyundai.

 

[mfowler]

I've decided to start a new thread about working on slopes and what the advantages might be of a LC machine. Thank you all for you time.