Excavator Thumbs

Excavator thumbs turn your bucket into a grab, so you can pick up logs, stumps, boulders and debris without uncoupling for a dedicated grapple. They work with digging buckets, grading buckets and land rakes, and tuck neatly against the dipper arm when you don't need them.

Every size is available as a manual thumb, which locks into one of three working positions with no hydraulics, or a hydraulic thumb, which runs off one double-acting service and opens and closes from the cab. Both mount on weld-on pads on the dipper arm.

Excavator thumb Excavator size Manual weight Hydraulic weight
1–2 tonne thumb 1–2 tonnes 62kg 65kg
2–3.5 tonne thumb 2–3.5 tonnes 73kg 78kg
4–6 tonne thumb 4–6 tonnes 98kg 97kg
6–10 tonne thumb 6–10 tonnes 147kg 138kg
10–15 tonne thumb 10–15 tonnes 299kg 277kg
15–18 tonne thumb 15–18 tonnes 326kg 313kg
18–25 tonne thumb 18–25 tonnes 367kg 377kg

Send us your excavator details and we'll confirm the right thumb. Handling material all day? A dedicated grab may suit you better: see all our excavator grabs and grapples.

Deciding between a thumb and a grab? Read our guide to choosing the right excavator grab.
Skip to results list
7 items

What an Excavator Thumb Does

A thumb, also called a grip talon, works against your bucket to grip material, turning a digging bucket into a grab. That makes land clearance and moving logs, stumps and boulders much simpler, without stopping to change attachments.

Manual or Hydraulic Thumb?

  • Manual thumb: no hydraulics needed. Release it from its idle position and lock it into one of three working positions, then grip against it with the bucket.
  • Hydraulic thumb: runs off one double-acting hydraulic service, with line-bored, fully bushed pivot points and hardened pivot pins. You open and close it from the cab, which is quicker when you grab all day.

Fitting

Both versions mount on weld-on pads on the dipper arm, which let you position the thumb to suit a deep digging bucket or a shallow grading bucket. Plan for a competent welder to fit the pads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an excavator thumb work with any bucket?

Thumbs work with a wide range of attachments, including digging buckets, grading buckets and land rakes, and the weld-on pads let you set the position to suit them.

What hydraulics does a hydraulic thumb need?

One double-acting hydraulic service.

Thumb or grab?

A thumb suits occasional grabbing alongside digging. If you handle material all day, a dedicated timber grab or selector grab gives a bigger, more secure grip.

How long does delivery take?

Usually 7 to 10 working days, as each one is confirmed to suit your machine before it's supplied. Ask us if you need it sooner.