Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy-c_V1owlw (16 min)

Mike walks through how to use and troubleshoot a hydraulic thumb on a Rippa excavator, and the habits that cause most problems.

HOW IT WORKS

The foot pedal opens and closes the thumb after you raise the safety lever. Press it gently, since you don't want the thumb flopping all the way open or closed.

DO AND DON'T

- Don't side-load the thumb or use it to push or back-drag things. The thumb body, especially out near the ears, is heavy-duty steel (roughly half an inch) but it can bend under side loads.

- Don't use the thumb on its own to shove a log back a few feet. Use the bucket with the thumb to grip the load.

IF THE THUMB ISN'T WORKING RIGHT

- Check that both sides of the diverter valve are open the correct way, and that all hydraulic connections are fully plugged in.

- Check for leaks. One customer had a pinhole leak in a steel hydraulic line, which was replaced under warranty, and he bought a local part to avoid waiting.

Questions? Call Rippa USA Sales at 817-382-3201 or visit RippaUSASales.com. We deliver nationwide with flat rate shipping, and you get 50% off attachments when you buy a machine from us.