Thumb on an 'Extenda Boom'

[DPauly]

Greetings. This may have been addressed on an earlier post but I'm brand new and haven't had time to peruse the back pages, SO . . . I'm looking at a used KX-033 that has the 'Extenda Boom' on it. First thing I noticed in the photo is it has no thumb, and while it's obvious a thumb wouldn't be of much use with the boom in the extended position, it no doubt would be of use in the normal (retracted) position, so does anyone have any experience or opinions with such an excavator? Are there practical reasons one doesn't see photos of these type excavators without a thumb? Thanks for your attention and for letting me join this site.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

hmm, not obvious to me why a thumb on an extended boom on an excavator isn't useful ? I've seen lots of 'backhoes' with them
big difference in 'operation' though. BH is 'fixed' at a spot, then used.... EXC is on tracks, EASY to move around.??

 

[fried1765]

hmm, not obvious to me why a thumb on an extended boom on an excavator isn't useful ? I've seen lots of 'backhoes' with them
big difference in 'operation' though. BH is 'fixed' at a spot, then used.... EXC is on tracks, EASY to move around.??

My hyd. BH thumb is almost as handy as my real thumb!

 

[DPauly]

Thanks for your replies. I certainly believe a thumb would be useful if not critical for the tasks I have in mind for getting a (mini) excavator such as a KX-033, 040 (or any other for that matter.) I know I'd need a thumb way more than the 2 1/2' additional boom length but there's a dealer not far away who has one with the 'Extenda Boom' for a decent price that has the other features I'm seeking (e.g. cab, 4 way blade) but no thumb. I looked at photos of others with the E.B. and none seemed to have a thumb either. However, I just cannot see why a thumb would not work when the boom is in the retracted position.