Rackcdn V20240715 Hydraulic Thumb User Manual

: September 17, 2024
: Rackcdn

Table of Contents

Rackcdn V20240715 Hydraulic Thumb
Safety Information
Operation Safety
Maintenance Safety
Specifications
Installation
Maintenance
References
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Rackcdn V20240715 Hydraulic Thumb

Contact Us
Thank you for choosing our products! If you have any questions or comments, contact us at help@cs-supportpro.com and we’ll resolve your issue ASAP! For a .pdf copy of the latest version of these instructions, use the appropriate app on your smartphone to scan the QR code to the right.

Safety Information

Symbol Guide
The following symbols and safety signal words are used in this manual. DO obey the accompanying messages to avoid possible injury or death.

Danger : Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided, WILL result in death or serious injury.
Warning : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, COULD result in death or serious injury.
Caution : Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, MAY result in minor or moderate injury. It may also be used to alert against unsafe practices.
Note : Indicates practices or situations which may result in the malfunction of, or damage to equipment.

General Safety

ALWAYS follow federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations concerning the use of construction machinery.
Follow all other applicable instructions and precautions as stated in your excavator’s manual.
Read this manual before actually attaching this hydraulic thumb to your compatible excavator. Familiarize yourself with the instructions that provide crucial information on the installation, operation, and maintenance.
ONLY use with compatible excavator models. Though this hydraulic thumb has a wide fitment, DO research compatibility before actually mounting this hydraulic thumb. For details, see Specifications.
ALWAYS use personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable to your task. Always wear ANSI and OSHA-approved eye, breathing, and hand protection while using this product. Nonslip and steel-toe footwear is also highly recommended. Other equipment such as ear, head, and body protection may also be necessary depending on your work, work environment, and other equipment.
DO NOT operate, inspect, or maintain the excavator when your faculties or judgment are impaired by alcohol, drugs, medicines, fatigue, or lack of sleep. NEVER allow any persons under such conditions to operate, inspect, or maintain this heavy machinery.
Operating heavy equipment requires your full attention. Avoid distractions and remain focused on the task at hand.
IMMEDIATELY cease to use and contact Customer Service if the hydraulic thumb shows any sign of anomalies or malfunctions, say noise, vibration, breakage, etc. NEVER attempt to resume use if the issues remain unsolved.

Operation Safety

Danger:

FLYING DEBRIS CAN CAUSE SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY. Never operate the hydraulic thumb with bystanders or any personnel unprotected from potential flying debris. Guard the perimeter with steel mesh and reinforce the excavator with equivalent material as well. NEVER operate the hydraulic thumb with the excavator cabin unprotected.
ONLY operate the hydraulic thumb from the excavator’s cabin.
NEVER haul or grab objects over the driver’s cabin with even the excavator well-protected.
DO NOT USE THE GRAB AS A HOIST. The hydraulic thumb is not intended to lift an object. To do so may damage the grab’s hydraulic cylinder.
Use two or more persons to attach the hydraulic thumb to the excavator’s arm.

Caution:

DO NOT use the hydraulic thumb to move or nudge large objects, as they can cause excess wear around the hinge pin and grab cylinder.
DO NOT use the hydraulic thumb as a rake, as used this way WILL impose huge horizontal force on the grab cylinder, causing structural damage to the cylinder.
DO NOT use the hydraulic thumb as a pry bar. Doing so risks damaging the grab cylinder.
Avoid operating the hydraulic thumb with its cylinder fully extended or depressed. Prolonged time of over-extension or depression incurs excess wear and tear, thus shortening the service life of the cylinder.
DO NOT operate underwater. Do not allow the cylinder to go underwater. Otherwise, the cylinder WILL be damaged from chronic rust.
Maneuver the thumb tines clear of the excavator boom, especially when tucking the thumb into the boom for transportation.

Maintenance Safety

Caution:

Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) appropriate and adequate for the work at all times.
ONLY use the recommended lubricant for the thumb. For the specific type, see Maintenance.
Do not hardface or sharpen the thumb tine with a cutting torch. Excessive heat from torching or welding can cause embrittlement, breakage, and flying pieces.

Specifications

Name	Hydraulic Thumb

Hose

| Length| 59.1 in.| 1500 mm
Port Size| M14×1.5 (to Thumb), M16×1.5 (to Excavator)

Hinge Pin

| Dimensions| 210×25×25 (mm)
Quantity| 1

Hydraulic Oil

Compatible Excavator Specs.

Package List

No.	Item	Qty.
A	Hydraulic Thumb	1
B	Hoses	2
C	M14×1.5 Male to M16×1.5 Male Thread Adapters	2
D	M14×1.5 Male to M14×1.5 Male Thread Adapters (These adapters can be used
for it her attachment s as needed)	2

Installation

Attach the hinge pin first, then the cylinder pin, and finally the hydraulic hoses. Doing it alternatively could cause serious personal injuries or machinery damage.

ALWAYS use personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable to your task. Always wear ANSI and OSHA-approved eye, breathing, and hand protection, such as goggles and work gloves. Nonslip and steel-toe footwear is also highly recommended. Other equipment such as ear, head, and body protection may also be necessary depending on your work, work environment, and other equipment.
ONLY mount the hydraulic thumb with the help of more than 2 persons or with the assistance of a working, easily controllable, and reliable hoist. Doing it alone risks serious personal injuries.
Keep your fingers clear of possible pinching points while mounting the hydraulic thumb.
Cover the excavator hydraulic ports once their plugs are removed, preventing foreign matter from entering the hydraulic system.
ALWAYS follow the protocols for using a hoist.

Tools Needed:

Adjustable Wrench
Plastic Wrap

Attaching the Thumb

Remove the hinge and cylinder pins and their nuts on the hydraulic thumb.
Stand the thumb up with the help of a hoist or an extra couple of hands.
Align the hinge pin holes on the thumb with the ones on the bottom of the excavator arm by moving the boom and arm, and insert the removed hinge pin.
Secure the hinge pin with its removed nut.
Align the cylinder pin hole on the thumb with the one on the excavator arm, and insert the removed cylinder pin.
Secure the cylinder pin with its removed nut.

Connecting the Hydraulic Hoses
Check if your excavator has hydraulic valves, choose either of the following methods that suits you to connect the hydraulic hoses.

ALWAYS wait till the hydraulic oil has cooled to ambient temperature.
The hydraulic ports and hoses are interchangeable but DO cover their ends with plastic wrap when the cap is removed, preventing introducing contamination to the excavator’s hydraulic system.

For Excavators with Hydraulic Valves

Shut off the engine.
Wait until the engine and hydraulic oil have cooled to ambient temperature.
Close the valves by turning them clockwise by 90° until its debossing is perpendicular to the arm.
On one side, remove the hose cap on the excavator hose end to expose the male port by turning the cap and holding the male port still.
Note : If the core of the hose cap remains stuck inside the male port, remove it with a pair of pliers. Store it with the removed hose cap.
(Optional) If the male port on your excavator is not M16 but M14, convert the port to an M16 male port by replacing it with the provided M14×1.5 male to M16×1.5 male thread adapter.
Cover the hose end with plastic wrap (not included).
Repeat steps 4–6 for the other side.
Remove the caps of the thumb as shown, covering the exposed ports with plastic wrap.
Note : Keep the caps in place. If the hydraulic thumb is to be detached for storage, they will do a better job protecting the cylinder than plastic wrap.
Having removed the plastic wrap around the LEFT port on the hydraulic thumb and the LEFT hose end on the excavator, connect the M14×1.5 end of the provided hose to the thumb, and the M16×1.5 end to the excavator hose end by hand turning.
Repeat similar steps for the RIGHT side.
Fasten each connection on both ends of the provided hoses with an adjustable wrench.
Open the valves by turning them counterclockwise by 90° until their debossing is parallel to the arm.
Test the excavator and make sure:
- You can open and close the thumb smoothly.
- No hydraulic oil is leaking from connections, if not, reconnect as needed.

For Excavators Without Hydraulic Valves

Raise the boom so that it’s slanted upward but still within reach.
Shut off the engine.
Wait until the engine and hydraulic oil have cooled to ambient temperature.
On one side, remove the hose cap on the excavator hose end to expose the male port by turning the cap and holding the male port still.
Note : If the core of the hose cap remains stuck inside the male port, remove it with a pair of pliers. Store it with the removed hose cap.
(Optional) If the male port on your excavator is not M16 but M14, convert the port to an M16 male port by replacing it with the provided M14×1.5 male to M16×1.5 male thread adapter.
Cover the hose end with plastic wrap (not included).
Repeat steps 4–6 for the other side.
Remove the caps of the thumb as shown, covering the exposed ports with plastic wrap.
Note : Keep the caps in place. If the hydraulic thumb is to be detached for storage, they will do a better job protecting the cylinder than plastic wrap.
Having removed the plastic wrap around the LEFT port on the hydraulic thumb and the LEFT hose end on the excavator, connect the M14×1.5 end of the provided hose to the thumb, and the M16×1.5 end to the excavator hose end by hand turning.
Repeat similar steps for the RIGHT side.
Fasten each connection on both ends of the provided hoses with an adjustable wrench.
Test the excavator and make sure:
- You can open and close the thumb smoothly.
- No hydraulic oil is leaking from connections, if not, reconnect as needed.

Maintenance

Periodically clean the hydraulic thumb, removing all mud, dirt, and grease.
Lubricate the hinge and cylinder pins with lithium grease every 10 hours of continuous operation. Shorten the schedule if the pins become unusually squeaky.
Apply a light coating of oil to all exposed metal parts to prohibit corrosion.
Periodically check the fasteners, retightening as needed.
Repaint parts where paint is worn or scratched to prevent rust.
Inspect for visible signs of wear, breakage, or damage. Replace or repair damaged components.
Dispose of the used material and waste products from the replacement appropriately.
Store in a dry and protected place, inaccessible to unauthorized personnel, and away from direct sunlight. In particular, protect from precipitation, which can significantly shorten the service life of the cylinder and cause rust.