Our dozer work got rained out today so I had the pleasure of getting seat time in on a brand new cat 323 that had a thumb. I'd never used a thumb before and then I see this video! Thanks!! That 323 was smooth I'm sure it being new played a big part in that, but hell it almost looked like I knew what I was doing! I'd really like to see a "never do this with an excavator " video or something to that effect. Maybe you already have one. Anyway, please keep up this awesome series
Let me see what I can do. I've tried to avoid those sort of videos because so many of them are just clickbait and don't do a good job of presenting actual training. I'll have to do some thinking on things to include. Thanks for watching Jessica!
Great and helpful video. Thank You. But i'm not sure i can go along with what you're saying at 14:00 about using the bucket to push the thumb completely... What makes you say that activating the thumb relief valve hurts anything?
I appreciate you watching George! The reason you don't want to overpower the relief valve is because it will overheat and become damaged if you are using the relief valve constantly. It's better to crack the thumb valve open slightly and allow the pressure to flow through the proper channel to avoid damaging the machine.
Loved the video & the information regarding thumbs. Between you & Chris, I feel I'm starting to get an understanding of these machines. Can't wait to change industries & actually get to put all this great watching & learning into practice.
The curling against the thumb was exactly the answer i was looking for. I could not get a straight answer on whether or not the it was harmful to curl against it while grabbing larger boulders. Awesome video!
It's hard to pick one thing. A simple one would be to ditch the flip up pedals. For operator comfort, a slightly bigger cab front to back. For production, more power and smoother hydraulic movements.
Cracking the valve and letting the bucket control the thumb movement is exactly what I was looking for. Didn’t know if I was gonna damage the machine by doing so
Does the hunt need to be activated on auxiliary to work in some bobcat excavators. Today I sat in a e80 and the right hand stick has a button and a right/left control. The button extends the thumb but the other controller did nothing. I could not retract the thumb. What am I missing?
Most likely the machine was setup in one way flow mode. This is often represented with a picture of a hydraulic hammer on your screen. In order for a thumb to work you need to switch the machine into 2 way flow which is represented with a set of jaws. That will make the second button retract the thumb. This is changed in the menus on Bobcat machines if I remember correctly.
Have had a lot of trouble with basically that model of Bobcat excavator trying to curl the bucket while holding something with the thumb. I always move the thumb too fast or the bucket too slow and drop things. I am concerned that I am putting too much force on the thumb cylinder by moving the bucket faster than the thumb to keep grip, but I can't find any other way to do it. Am I doing it wrong?
The hydraulics should go over relief before you damage a cylinder. When I'm doing thumb and bucket motions at the same time I will crack the thumb valve a little and then use the bucket to push the thumb. By opening the thumb valve you are preventing fluid from going through the bypass valve and you are using the dedicated circuit to let oil flow.
Very easy to snap a cylinder on the thumb. I've seen many make the mistake of over using it breaking the head of the cylinder . Also if the pin comes out and you don't notice the first time any pressure is put on it .... snap ! 😫 waiting on a welder now lol
I loved that video bro and all your videos are very good and teach a lot, but I want you to make a video please if you can, a video specialized in how to combine the controls in different situations, diggin, cleanup, etc. lol thanks bro
Haha I hear ya! Learning to use a thumb on an excavator is a whole new skill. Just because you can run an excavator does not mean you can effectively run a thumb. There is definitely a learning curve
Brian 😎 showing the things you can do with a thumb that's Nice it will help new Operator's 👍 me personally I have never seen much more to use one 😂 Thank U Brian 😎 for the Great video 👍
Have you done the "Excavator Egg Challenge " successfully with your thumb? (removing an egg from an egg carton and placing it on top of a uncapped 2 liter pop bottle, half full of water or whatever for stability, with your /or a excavator without cracking the eggshell. ) ????? :)
If Rick had done this, 12:30 - 15:45 would have been the black car clamped in the thumb and Rick slewing left and right rolling that car back and forth while he makes engine noises and tire screeching sounds...
Great tips! Watching other good operators helped me a lot! Thanks Brian!
Thanks for watching my man!
Our dozer work got rained out today so I had the pleasure of getting seat time in on a brand new cat 323 that had a thumb. I'd never used a thumb before and then I see this video! Thanks!! That 323 was smooth I'm sure it being new played a big part in that, but hell it almost looked like I knew what I was doing! I'd really like to see a "never do this with an excavator " video or something to that effect. Maybe you already have one. Anyway, please keep up this awesome series
Let me see what I can do. I've tried to avoid those sort of videos because so many of them are just clickbait and don't do a good job of presenting actual training. I'll have to do some thinking on things to include. Thanks for watching Jessica!
Great tips. I alway learn something watching other skilled operators. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Thanks for watching!
Great and helpful video. Thank You. But i'm not sure i can go along with what you're saying at 14:00 about using the bucket to push the thumb completely... What makes you say that activating the thumb relief valve hurts anything?
I appreciate you watching George! The reason you don't want to overpower the relief valve is because it will overheat and become damaged if you are using the relief valve constantly. It's better to crack the thumb valve open slightly and allow the pressure to flow through the proper channel to avoid damaging the machine.
Loved the video & the information regarding thumbs.
Between you & Chris, I feel I'm starting to get an understanding of these machines.
Can't wait to change industries & actually get to put all this great watching & learning into practice.
Glad to help! Thanks for watching!
The curling against the thumb was exactly the answer i was looking for. I could not get a straight answer on whether or not the it was harmful to curl against it while grabbing larger boulders. Awesome video!
Thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment!
If you could change one thing with that bobcat mini what would it be?
It's hard to pick one thing. A simple one would be to ditch the flip up pedals. For operator comfort, a slightly bigger cab front to back. For production, more power and smoother hydraulic movements.
Thanks for taking the time to help me be better operator, you explain things well, I enjoyed your video.
Thank you so much for watching! I really appreciate the feedback
Thanks for the video I’m renting one this weekend and needed help with the thumb
You got it!
Cracking the valve and letting the bucket control the thumb movement is exactly what I was looking for. Didn’t know if I was gonna damage the machine by doing so
As long as you have that valve cracked you are allowing the system to push excess pressure back to the tank.
Does the hunt need to be activated on auxiliary to work in some bobcat excavators. Today I sat in a e80 and the right hand stick has a button and a right/left control. The button extends the thumb but the other controller did nothing. I could not retract the thumb. What am I missing?
Sorry the thumb …
Most likely the machine was setup in one way flow mode. This is often represented with a picture of a hydraulic hammer on your screen. In order for a thumb to work you need to switch the machine into 2 way flow which is represented with a set of jaws. That will make the second button retract the thumb. This is changed in the menus on Bobcat machines if I remember correctly.
thanks for the tips..i never had a machine with the thumb attachment yet ..
They are a lot of fun! Hopefully you get some seat time with one soon.
Have had a lot of trouble with basically that model of Bobcat excavator trying to curl the bucket while holding something with the thumb. I always move the thumb too fast or the bucket too slow and drop things. I am concerned that I am putting too much force on the thumb cylinder by moving the bucket faster than the thumb to keep grip, but I can't find any other way to do it. Am I doing it wrong?
The hydraulics should go over relief before you damage a cylinder. When I'm doing thumb and bucket motions at the same time I will crack the thumb valve a little and then use the bucket to push the thumb. By opening the thumb valve you are preventing fluid from going through the bypass valve and you are using the dedicated circuit to let oil flow.
Very easy to snap a cylinder on the thumb. I've seen many make the mistake of over using it breaking the head of the cylinder . Also if the pin comes out and you don't notice the first time any pressure is put on it .... snap ! 😫 waiting on a welder now lol
It's like every other part of the machine. If you abuse it and push it beyond its design, something will break.
@@DieselandIron absolutely 💯!
Thanks 👍 and try to look up let's dig cause Chris is a great pro of using the thumb
Chris is a wizard in a machine with a thumb. I love watching him run a machine
Great video brother! Very helpful!
Thanks Brayden! I appreciate it!
Very good as always
Thanks man!
@@DieselandIron 🙌🙌
Thumbs are a must option if your doing concrete/asphalt/trees/rocks.
Amen to that
Thanks a lot!! Awesome
Thanks for watching brother!
That was really useful for a biginer
Thanks Jean!
Good advice.
Thanks brother!
I loved that video bro and all your videos are very good and teach a lot, but I want you to make a video please if you can, a video specialized in how to combine the controls in different situations, diggin, cleanup, etc. lol thanks bro
Are you talking thumb specific or just excavator in general?
I used a Cat 320 next gen with a thumb to load a trash trailer. It looked like I never used a excavator before.
Haha I hear ya! Learning to use a thumb on an excavator is a whole new skill. Just because you can run an excavator does not mean you can effectively run a thumb. There is definitely a learning curve
Brian 😎 showing the things you can do with a thumb that's Nice it will help new Operator's 👍 me personally I have never seen much more to use one 😂 Thank U Brian 😎 for the Great video 👍
My favorite uses for a thumb are concrete removal and doing any sort of land clearing. Once you use one in those applications you'll never go back!
The damn thumb on the volvo I rented is freaking backwards, meaning the thumb pinch is out toward the right vs inward. I'm losing my mind
Very helpful , Thank you so much
Please teach making slope with excavator
Let me see what I can do. Thanks for watching!
Have you done the "Excavator Egg Challenge " successfully with your thumb? (removing an egg from an egg carton and placing it on top of a uncapped 2 liter pop bottle, half full of water or whatever for stability, with your /or a excavator without cracking the eggshell. ) ????? :)
I haven't done that exact challenge but the other day I grabbed a water bottle and handed it to a guy on the jobsite with my thumb. Does that count?
@@DieselandIron That's impressive ! It's fun to see stuff like that. You guys make the machine motions in one fluid movement. Very Impressive.
@@pshodean it's always fun to challenge yourself an continue to improve. It's what keeps us coming back! Thanks for commenting!
Too much talking
It's an educational how-to video. What were you expecting?
If Rick had done this, 12:30 - 15:45 would have been the black car clamped in the thumb and Rick slewing left and right rolling that car back and forth while he makes engine noises and tire screeching sounds...
That pretty much sums it up! 😂