Hello, I have a 2004 case 580 SM series 2, it has an extendahoe and a mechanical pin on thumb. I have often thought for what I have and use it for (farm clean up) I would like to have a hydraulic thumb and even though it’s very handy I could do away with the extendahoe (it would be lighter). My question is could I just buy a used/salvaged standard dipper arm with a hydraulic thumb mounted on it and use the existing lines from the extendahoe to run the thumb. Is this doable or would I be just as well off to leave well enough alone. Thanks
Does your extension have a mechanical lock via a pin or such? My old JD 310 has a pin to retain the extension, so plausibly the hydraulic circuit could be stolen. If not, you might be able to use a couple selector valves to choose between the extension, and thumb.
I believe so there is a place to put a pin to lock up the extension, it just looks to me like the entire arm is held with the main pin and the pin for the cylinder. I would think you could change them out and just plug the hydraulic lines of the extension to the thumb. It may not be cost effective but I thought if you could come across a salvaged dipper arm and if nothing else have a thumb mounted on it you could change them without a lot of effort. At least you’d have both a standard or extendaboom.
If you pin your ex-hoe in one spot you can install a T fitting in each of the extention hoses with a simple valve so you can raise Thumb, pull ex lock pin and have both. Most of those machines I have worked on have an electrically operated solenoid valve for the auxiliary. The biggest thing you will have to be care of with just adding the T fittings is the circuit relief. Most all Thumb manufacturers have a spect for relief so that the bucket cylinder will just push Thumb circuit over the relief so you don't damage anything.
The post above this one has some Case used parts, not sure it’s affordable though. As much as you don’t use the Extend-hoe, I would tee into it and pin the slide as has been suggested.