Thumb / Grapple Mounting Plates

Mounting a hydraulic thumb or grapple on a mini-excavator starts with a sound base. This set of two plates welds to the lower boom and serves as the anchoring point for the attachment.

Mounting support for grapple and thumb

Each plate positions on the lower boom. The weld ensures the connection between the machine's load-bearing structure and the added attachment. Once the plates are in place, the grapple or hydraulic thumb bolts onto them.

The pair of plates covers the needs of a symmetrical mount on both sides of the boom. For operators preparing a machine before an attachment arrives, this set allows the support to be prepared in advance without waiting for the grapple or thumb to be delivered.

Lower boom preparation

Welding on the boom must follow the mini-excavator manufacturer's recommendations. Exact positioning depends on the type of attachment to be mounted and the desired kinematics. Incorrect positioning causes offset or misalignment of the attachment when tightened onto the plates.

This support is for compact excavators with lower boom mounting. Before welding, check compatibility with the boom thickness and prepare the surfaces to be assembled. The hydraulic grapple or thumb then bolts onto these plates.

To complete this support, the range of quick couplers for mini-excavators facilitates daily tool changes. An operator mounting a handling thumb on a NORTECK machine may also be interested in dedicated handling thumbs to align the whole assembly on the same mounting centers.