--- title: "Excavator Thumb Attachments: Which to Get" description: There are many different types of excavator thumbs and other excavator attachments. Which is right for you? Find out here! image: https://content.rocklandmfg.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01-Excavator-Thumbs-for-Every-Job.png --- Jan 8, 2024 7:09:44 AM # Excavator Thumbs for Every Job [ Scott Smith ](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/author/scott-smith) Share: [facebook-f icon ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-thumbs) [linkedin-in icon ](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-thumbs) [Twitter icon ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-thumbs) [pinterest-p icon ](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-thumbs) [envelope icon ](mailto:?body=https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-thumbs) A thumb on an excavator can make it a versatile tool in landscaping, construction, demolition, or recycling. A thumb attachment makes it easier to pick up, move, and hold irregular objects like concrete, rocks, construction materials, debris, and branches that do not easily fit into a typical bucket attachment. At Rockland Manufacturing, we offer [**seven different models of excavator thumbs**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product-category/thumbs/) in two mounting configurations. ## Pin-Mounted Thumbs Our [**pin-mounted thumbs**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/pin-mounted-thumbs/) are perfect for picking and placing material. The thumb body rotates on the same pivot pin as a bucket or coupler. Our pin-mounted excavator thumbs are among the most durable, dependable designs on the market. We offer pin-mounted thumbs in non-link, progressive link, and [**full-rotation styles**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/full-rotation-thumb/). The non-link thumb attachments have up to 120 degree rotation, while the progressive link thumbs rotate up to 180 degrees. Last but not least, as the name suggests, the full-rotation thumb follows the bucket through its full range of motion. To ensure quality and peak performance, we comprehensively test our hydraulic cylinders in-house using rigorous methods. Our pin-mounted and [**progressive link thumbs**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/progressive-link-thumbs/) are often faster and easier to install than most of our competitor’s models. Here are some of the advantages of our pin-mounted thumbs: - They can precisely pick and place material - They keep loads securely clamped during rotation - The heat-treated pins and bushings are lubricated and replaceable - They contain a heavy-duty, dual-cushioned thumb cylinder - The thumb design matches the teeth of your bucket - A mechanical locking pin prevents downdrift when the thumb is not in use ## Stick-Mounted Thumbs [**Stick-mounted thumbs**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/stick-mounted-hydraulic/) feature a mounting pad welded to with a separate pivot pin mounted to the underside of the excavator stick of the excavator. We offer two types of stick-mounted weld-on mechanical thumbs — hydraulic and solid strut. ### Hydraulic Stick-Mounted Thumbs Our hydraulic thumbs come in [**wide hydraulic thumb**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/hydraulic-wide/) and [**narrow hydraulic thumb**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/stick-mounted-hydraulic/) design options. They offer a range of benefits: - The narrow design minimizes overall equipment weight - The wide design is ideal for handling fine debris & bulky, loose materials - Both use a dual-cushioned, hydraulic cylinder between the mountain pad and thumb body - Operators can adjust the position of the thumb hydraulically from the cab - Our hydraulic thumbs feature a mechanical lock that prevents frustrating downdrift when the thumb is not in use ![Solid-Strut Stick-Mounted Thumbs](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/02-Solid-Strut-Thumbs.png?width=1200&height=600&name=02-Solid-Strut-Thumbs.png) ### Solid-Strut Stick-Mounted Thumbs #### (*also referred to as Mechanical or Stiff-link thumbs*) The solid-strut thumb attachments are our most economical options, and we offer them in [**wide solid-strut thumb**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/univ-wide-mechanical/) and [**narrow solid-strut thumb**](https://rocklandmfg.com/product/universal-mechanic/) designs. These hydraulic excavator thumbs also offer several benefits: - The narrow design keeps weight to a minimum while providing a positive, three-point pickup. - The wide design features thumb tines that mesh with most common bucket widths - Solid-strut thumbs are ideal for operators who do not need to reposition often or don’t have auxiliary hydraulics - Both feature a mechanical pi that stores thumb out of the way when not in use - The thumbs ship preassembled for easy installation Whether you’re looking for a pin-mounted thumb, a stick-mounted thumb or any other excavator attachment, Rockland Manufacturing has the perfect solution for your application. [**Contact us today**](https://rocklandmfg.com/contact-us/) to learn more about our products or to request a quote.   *Updated January 2024* [Excavators](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/excavators), [construction attachments](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/construction-attachments) ## Related posts [![](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Rockland_-Spring-attachment-guide.jpg?height=200&name=Rockland_-Spring-attachment-guide.jpg) ](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/spring-attachment-guide) [Tips & tricks](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/tips-tricks), [Site prep](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/site-prep), [construction attachments](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/construction-attachments), [excavator attachments](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/excavator-attachments) ## [Spring into action: A guide to preparing your attachments for the season](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/spring-attachment-guide) [Scott Smith](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/author/scott-smith) Mar 25, 2024 3:00:04 AM As winter winds down and spring takes center stage, construction and land clearing professionals... 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[ Read more ](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/excavator-buckets) [![](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/01-The-Krypto-Klaw%C2%AE-vs-a-Bucket-and-Thumb-Which-Should-You-Use-R01.png?height=200&name=01-The-Krypto-Klaw%C2%AE-vs-a-Bucket-and-Thumb-Which-Should-You-Use-R01.png) ](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/krypto-klaw-vs-bucket) [Bucket and Thumb](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/bucket-and-thumb), [Excavators](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/excavators), [excavator attachments](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/tag/excavator-attachments) ## [The Krypto Klaw® vs. a Bucket and Thumb: Which Should You Use?](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/blog/krypto-klaw-vs-bucket) [Scott Smith](https://content.rocklandmfg.com/author/scott-smith) Nov 1, 2021 8:15:02 PM Pressure, strength, versatility: Options in excavator attachments If you’re in the construction... 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