Can't give an opinion on the BXpanded thumb as I bought the Kubota one. It came pre installed, included in the deal price wise, works fine for a mechanical thumb.
They look very similar in operation but maybe a BXpanded thumb user can chime in for you.
To be honest, now that I have a grapple I rarely use the thumb as you have to stop, get off and set the thumb position. Now I just use the bucket to lift or push whatever I am digging up (mostly stumps) to the side and clean up with the grapple when I finish with the back hoe.
BTW, my BX came with a 12 inch bucket. As I have good soil here I switched out to the 16 inch bucket. The bucket curl is the strongest part of the hoe so let your soil conditions and anticipated use guide you. A trencher and ripper from BXpanded would make the hoe a real workhorse.
They look very similar in operation but maybe a BXpanded thumb user can chime in for you.
To be honest, now that I have a grapple I rarely use the thumb as you have to stop, get off and set the thumb position. Now I just use the bucket to lift or push whatever I am digging up (mostly stumps) to the side and clean up with the grapple when I finish with the back hoe.
BTW, my BX came with a 12 inch bucket. As I have good soil here I switched out to the 16 inch bucket. The bucket curl is the strongest part of the hoe so let your soil conditions and anticipated use guide you. A trencher and ripper from BXpanded would make the hoe a real workhorse.