New thumb 302.7

Next week I'm buying a thumb for my machine. I read/watched something about a valve that has to be switched/turned on the machine itself? Looked liked a ball valve to me. Also is there something else I need to watch out for, do when I install this. It'll be a Cat thumb I'll be getting. Thanks in advance.

is there a control system already installed for a thumb such as a rocker switch on one of the joysticks and the appropriate control valves that would be operated by the switch?

Yes on the right hand control there is a rocker switch that rocks from right to left. Also there is a knob that is labeled auxiliary. It looks to be a force control. Not sure but I think that’s what it is.

Doesn’t the O&M Manual cover the operation of the various controls.? If you don’t have one then post a machine Serial Number and let’s see if we can track one down.

Sure thing, LJ 700627

Oh and no I don’t have a O&M manual

guzzi27012 said: Oh and no I don’t have a O&M manual Click to expand... You can download one for $52 from the Cat Publications web site. Simply search for SEBU8745. This will give you a lot of useful maintenance information as well as operation. i don't see anything for sale on the usual internet marketplaces, apart from non-genuine manuals that are being offered for sale at higher prices than you could buy a genuine one for. Go figure... See this link. Why buy for $80 when you can buy for $52.? https://www.ebay.com/itm/325421962590

Thanks Nige

just curious if the bracket for the ram is already welded on the stick... and does the cat thumb come as a kit with ram and longer pin and shims etc for the thumb or do you have to acquire each item individually.. any thumb installations I've seen on machines are all from third party manufacturer's and not OEM.. I assume by having the control system factory installed there's already hard and flex lines going out the boom and stick to attach the thumb ram to.. if everything is already there it should be pretty straightforward

Yes my stick has the bracket that hold the ram already welded on. As I am aware everything is included in the kit shims, pins, etc. as far as the lines go I had to replace one hard line and three hoses and couplings from them being taken off sometime in the past. I bought the machine that way. They were there at one time but I don’t know why they were taken off. I did build the brackets to hold the hoses on the side of the stick because they were gone also and CAT wanted 130 a bracket. I have some steel laying around so I made some.

If the thumb is coming from a dealer ask them if they have a set of installation instructions.

Ok I will, I watched a YOUTUBE video that a guy installed a thumb on the exact same machine and his came with instructions.

See the attachment.

Where do you find this information? I really appreciate it lol

Ok, Installed new thumb, took a month to get, but it doesn't work. This is what I expected but I'm not sure where to start. The aux rocker switch, valve? not sure. Please help Thanks guys

There’s your problem lady, it wasn’t plugged in!!