15–18 Tonne Excavator Thumb – Manual or Hydraulic

The 15–18 tonne excavator thumb turns your bucket into a grab, so you can pick up logs, stumps, boulders and debris without uncoupling for a dedicated grapple. It works with digging buckets, grading buckets and land rakes, and tucks neatly against the dipper arm when you don't need it. Choose a manual or hydraulic thumb.

• Manual thumb (326kg): no hydraulics needed. Release it from its idle position and lock it into one of three working positions.
• Hydraulic thumb (313kg): runs off one double-acting hydraulic service and works from 21° closed to 174° open, so you can grip and release from the cab.

Both versions mount on weld-on pads on the dipper arm, so you can position the thumb to work with a deep digging bucket or a shallow grading bucket. The design has been stress-tested, with steel thicknesses chosen to balance strength and weight.

Key Features

• Turns your bucket into a grab for logs, stumps, boulders and debris
• Works with digging buckets, grading buckets and land rakes
• Tucks neatly against the dipper arm when not in use
• Weld-on pads let you position it to suit your attachments
• Manual version: three locking positions, no hydraulics
• Hydraulic version: one double-acting service, line-bored and fully bushed pivot points, hardened pivot pins
• Wide tine configuration with a serrated edge for grip (hydraulic version)

15–18 Tonne Excavator Thumb Specifications

Where It Works Best

• Land clearance with your existing bucket
• Picking up logs, stumps and boulders
• Handling debris and brash
• Placing rocks and kerbs
• Sorting material without changing attachments

Thumb or Grab?

A thumb works with the bucket you already have, so you can dig and grab without changing attachments. If you're handling material all day, a dedicated grab gives a bigger, more secure grip. See our timber grabs and selector grabs.

Fitting

The weld-on pads need welding to your dipper arm, so plan for a competent welder to fit them. The hydraulic thumb also needs connecting to a double-acting service. Don't assume hoses, couplings or installation parts are included unless they are listed on your quote.

Excavator and Quick-Hitch Compatibility

Machine weight is only a starting point. Excavators in the same weight class can use different pin sizes, linkage widths, quick hitches and auxiliary hydraulics, so please send us the following when you order:

• Excavator make and model
• Machine operating weight
• Quick hitch make and model, if you run one
• Pin diameter and pin centres
• Dipper width
• Your bucket type and width

Our guide on how to measure an excavator for a new bucket shows how to take the pin measurements. If you can't measure, send us photos of your hitch and we'll help.

Delivery and Ordering

Each thumb is confirmed to suit your machine before it's supplied. Delivery is usually within 7 to 10 working days, although factory lead times can change this. If you need the thumb for a fixed date, contact us before ordering so we can confirm the current lead time.

15–18 Tonne Excavator Thumb FAQs

Manual or hydraulic thumb?

A manual thumb costs less and needs no hydraulics: you lock it into one of three positions and grip against it with the bucket. A hydraulic thumb opens and closes from the cab on one double-acting service, which makes it quicker when you're grabbing all day.

How is it fitted?

Both versions mount on weld-on pads on the dipper arm, so the pads need welding on by a competent welder. The pads let you position the thumb to suit a deep digging bucket or a shallow grading bucket.

What hydraulics does the hydraulic thumb need?

One double-acting hydraulic service. Send us your machine details and we'll confirm your setup before you order.

Will it work with my bucket?

Yes. 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.

Will it fit my 15–18 tonne excavator?

Send us your machine make, model and operating weight, plus your dipper and bucket details, and we'll confirm the right thumb before it's supplied.

Other Sizes

For a smaller or larger machine, see the 10–15 tonne excavator thumb or the 18–25 tonne excavator thumb. Compare every size in our excavator thumbs range, or browse all our excavator grabs and grapples.

Not sure which type you need? Our guide to choosing the right excavator grab compares selector grabs, timber grabs, folding grabs, manual grapples and thumbs.