Features: 1.
| Compatible excavators | 6–80 tonnes |
| Bucket capacity | 0,1 m³–8 m³ (model-dependent) |
| Maximum jaw opening | 1.200 mm–2.200 mm |
| Weight | 150–1.450 kg (size-dependent) |
| Structural materials | Q345B, NM400, Hardox 500, WH60 |
| Cylinder type | High-power hydraulic with integrated safety valve |
| Rotation | 360° unlimited in both directions |
| Dual function | Excavation + gripping/material handling |
| Handleable materials | Logs, stones, demolition debris, beams, containers, irregular materials |
The excavator thumb bucket (Thumb Bucket) is the hydraulic attachment that turns the excavator from a digging machine into a mechanical hand capable of gripping, clamping and transporting irregular materials: logs, stone blocks, demolition debris, containers and beams.
The excavator thumb bucket combines a classic bucket with an articulated hydraulic thumb that closes over the material like a clamp, ensuring a firm grip regardless of the shape or size of the handled item.
Available for excavators from 6 to 80 tonnes, with a maximum jaw opening of 1.200 to 2.200 mm, capacities from 0,1 to 8 m³ and a 360° hydraulic rotation system in both directions, the excavator thumb bucket is the attachment of choice for demolition contractors, forestry operators and land-clearing crews where manual handling of heavy materials is impractical or dangerous. Key advantages of the excavator thumb bucket
• Firm grip on irregular materials. The excavator thumb bucket allows gripping and transporting objects that cannot be collected with a standard bucket: logs, concrete blocks, railway sleepers, containers, large stones, steel beams. The hydraulic thumb adapts to the shape of the material and maintains the grip throughout transport.
• 360° hydraulic rotation in both directions: the excavator thumb bucket features a special slewing bearing that allows full 360° rotation in any direction, with no mechanical limitations. The operator orients the gripped material to the desired angle for stacking or loading without repositioning the excavator, a major time saving on confined-space sites.
• Maximum jaw opening 1.200–2.200 mm: the wide opening range of the excavator thumb bucket covers everything from medium-sized objects (1.200 mm on 6–10 tonne excavators) up to bulky materials (2.200 mm on 40–80 tonne excavators). The maximum log diameter and the size of the concrete blocks that can be processed are determined directly by the maximum opening of the chosen model.
“Available for excavators from 6 to 80 tonnes, with a maximum jaw opening of 1,200 to 2,200 mm.”
• Hydraulic cylinder with integrated safety valve: the excavator thumb bucket is equipped with a high-power hydraulic cylinder and a safety valve that prevents oil leaks and ensures controlled retraction of the thumb in the event of overpressure or loss of hydraulic supply. The gripped material remains secure even if the hydraulic circuit fails.
• Q345B, NM400, Hardox 500, WH60 materials: the structure of the excavator thumb bucket uses Q345B for the load-bearing frame and NM400, Hardox 500 and WH60 wear steels in the zones in direct contact with abrasive materials. The combination provides the impact resistance required for demolition and the durability needed against the abrasive wear of rock and crushed concrete.
• Dual function: digs and grips. The excavator thumb bucket performs both classic excavation (with the thumb retracted) and gripping and handling of materials (with the thumb active), without changing the attachment. On demolition sites where digging foundations alternates with collecting debris, the excavator thumb bucket eliminates the need for two separate attachments.
• Full range 6–80 tonnes: the Monde excavator thumb bucket covers everything from 6-tonne mini-excavators used in forestry and land-clearing work, up to heavy 80-tonne excavators in quarries and major industrial demolition.
• 60-month UZINEX warranty: extended coverage with spare parts in stock at Iași and nationwide technical support with a guaranteed response time of 24–48 hours.
Technical specifications: excavator thumb bucket (Thumb Bucket)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Compatible excavators | 6–80 tonnes |
| Bucket capacity | 0,1 m³–8 m³ (model-dependent) |
| Maximum jaw opening | 1.200 mm–2.200 mm |
| Weight | 150–1.450 kg (size-dependent) |
| Structural materials | Q345B, NM400, Hardox 500, WH60 |
| Cylinder type | High-power hydraulic with integrated safety valve |
| Rotation | 360° unlimited in both directions |
| Dual function | Excavation + gripping/material handling |
| Handleable materials | Logs, stones, demolition debris, beams, containers, irregular materials |
The model and the maximum jaw opening are selected based on the excavator tonnage and the dimensions of the materials to be handled. UZINEX engineers confirm the correct variant. Free technical consultancy available . How the excavator thumb bucket works
Application dedicated to flows with constant quality requirements.
Equipment configured for medium and large volumes.
Quick adjustment between different orders.
The excavator thumb bucket works on the tongs principle: the articulated hydraulic thumb rotates around a fixed pivot mounted on the classic bucket, moving toward it to grip the material or away from it to release it.
The operator positions the bucket under or beside the material to be handled, actuates the hydraulic control of the thumb and closes the grip until the material is secured between the bucket and the thumb. The gripping force of the hydraulic cylinder holds the material fixed throughout lifting, transport and 360° orientation.
The excavator thumb bucket can also work as a normal standard bucket with the thumb fully retracted, excavating earth, clay or gravel like any soil bucket. Switching between digging mode and gripping mode is done instantly from the operator cab, with no mechanical modification. Applications for the excavator thumb bucket
Demolition of buildings and industrial structures is the main application of the excavator thumb bucket. Collecting steel beams, timber beams, large concrete blocks and irregular demolition debris requires the precision of the thumb grip: materials that slip out of a standard bucket or a grapple are held firmly by the excavator thumb bucket all the way to final stacking or loading.
Forestry and land-clearing work uses the excavator thumb bucket for handling logs, felled trunks and bulky vegetal debris. The ability to grip a large-diameter log and orient it 360° makes the excavator thumb bucket the standard tool in sorting and stacking operations for timber at forestry yards equipped with an excavator.
Land clearing and clearing for construction combine soil excavation with the collection of vegetal debris and field stone. The excavator thumb bucket performs both operations without changing the attachment: it digs with the thumb retracted and collects with the thumb active, within the same work cycle.
Infrastructure work involving the handling of precast components (concrete pipes, manholes, kerbs and large masonry elements) benefits from the positioning precision offered by the excavator thumb bucket with 360° rotation. Precast elements can be lifted, oriented and positioned exactly at the installation point without additional personnel to guide the piece. The excavator thumb bucket versus the hydraulic grapple
The excavator thumb bucket and the hydraulic grapple are both gripping attachments, but optimized for different types of material and operations.
The multi-jaw hydraulic grapple is more efficient for bulk materials of small and medium size (rubble, gravel, scrap metal) where the volume collected per cycle matters more than the precision of gripping individual pieces.
The excavator thumb bucket is superior for large individual pieces and irregular shapes that require a precise grip: long logs, beams, concrete blocks, quarry stones. The dual digging function of the excavator thumb bucket is an additional benefit over any grapple, which cannot excavate soil. Frequently asked questions about the excavator thumb bucket
Can the thumb of the excavator thumb bucket be used with any existing bucket?
The Monde excavator thumb bucket is an integrated assembly: the bucket and the thumb are designed and tested together. It is not recommended to add a generic hydraulic thumb to an existing bucket without verifying structural and hydraulic compatibility. UZINEX engineers assess the possibility of adapting it to your existing bucket or recommend a fully verified complete assembly. Does 360° rotation require an additional hydraulic circuit on the excavator?
Yes, the excavator thumb bucket with 360° rotation requires an auxiliary hydraulic circuit for the rotation mechanism, in addition to the circuit for the thumb. Excavators with 2 auxiliary hydraulic circuits are directly compatible. On excavators with a single auxiliary, an additional hydraulic distributor must be installed. UZINEX engineers verify the hydraulic configuration of your excavator at the quotation stage. Can the excavator thumb bucket be mounted on the quick coupler?
Yes, the excavator thumb bucket is compatible with standard mounting systems and with the Monde DEHN quick coupler, allowing rapid switching from the cab between the excavator thumb bucket and other attachments. The hydraulic connections for the thumb and rotation couple rapidly through the hydraulic coupling system integrated into the quick coupler. Is the excavator thumb bucket eligible for SEAP/SICAP public procurement?
Yes. UZINEX is a member of the Enterprise Europe Network and supplies industrial attachments for projects funded by EU funds and public procurement. Complete technical documentation is provided on request. Leasing options are available on the UZINEX credit and leasing page . Why UZINEX for the excavator thumb bucket
The excavator thumb bucket is a complex attachment: the hydraulic cylinder, slewing bearing, bucket structure and thumb must work as an integrated unit throughout the service life of the equipment. Technical support and the availability of spare parts are critical.
• 60-month warranty: extended coverage for the excavator thumb bucket under continuous industrial use, including hydraulic components.
• Hydraulic compatibility check: UZINEX engineers confirm that your excavator has the auxiliary circuits required for the excavator thumb bucket before confirmation.
• Transport and installation included: delivery to destination, mounting, hydraulic connection, testing and operator training included in the price of the excavator thumb bucket.
• Spare parts in stock at Iași: cylinder seals, slewing bearing and wear components available immediately, with no waiting times.
• Nationwide technical support within 24–48 hours: a network of technicians with national coverage and a guaranteed response time.
• Eligible for EU funds and public procurement: member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Enterprise Europe Network, with complete documentation for any procurement procedure.
The Thumb Bucket excavator thumb bucket available through UZINEX is the attachment for handling irregular and bulky materials, with 360° rotation, a 1.200–2.200 mm opening, Hardox 500 and NM400, for 6–80 tonnes and a 60-month warranty.
Products and services that have earned the appreciation and trust of clients across industry.
with a 3-in-1 laser machine (welding + cleaning + cutting) and a smart capital decision
All delivered equipment meets European quality standards and the DNSH principle, is eligible for acquisitions through EU and PNRR funding, and includes interactive AI-powered manuals for operation, maintenance and operator training.
Media appearances, technical demos and presentations from the most important industrial trade fairs in Europe. See our technology in action.
Over 100 companies in manufacturing, logistics and industry have chosen Uzinex as their strategic partner.
All references→
„We do stainless-steel metal fabrication dedicated to restaurant kitchens. The UZINEX equipment was a radical change: modernization, an increase in production and quality.”
„I had no idea, I was completely clueless. And you started to explain to me. You told me what technologies to choose, what packaging to produce, what would work better on the market.”
„We use a single person who can operate 3-4 machines. Before, we needed 3-4 people to do the same thing.”
„We have multiple challenges in making special structures that serve our systems, and the laser welding machine solution helped us enormously.”
„Laser welding on stainless is something else, it's a completely different thing. The quality of the machines is undeniable: the samples say it all.”
„With Uzinex, I felt very well protected by the assistance they provided. When you have a whole shift stalled and you need someone to answer quickly, it matters enormously.”
„The proof that everything went well is that the equipment now works. We have over three years of experience with no problems. Or when there were issues, there was support. We're satisfied with the collaboration.”
„I can do even 5 boxes for one person, I can also do 10 boxes. Which other firms can't do. That is, they'd have to change dies, set up a whole 12-hour affair.”
„Whether I called at 2 in the morning or at 9 in the morning, the problems got solved. We're satisfied and we'll work together again.”
„A good, smooth collaboration. We always had support and help.”
„We're among the top producers in Romania for this product. I wouldn't have imagined that when I started, but things fell into place.”
„On price and quality ratio, they were the best price and the best quality on the market. We got along well and we're satisfied.”
Six technology directions we integrate turnkey: from plug & play IIoT sensors, to cobots, predictive maintenance, optical inspection, MES connectivity and custom industrial software.
See in real time how much each machine produces and how long it sits idle. We fit sensors on any equipment, new or old, and within a few hours you have the OEE dashboard on your phone. No complex wiring, no production downtime. The first concrete step toward digitalization, with ROI visible from the very first month.
Solve your labor shortage without tripling your costs. The cobot works safely alongside your people (palletizing, feeding the CNC, welding) while you recover the investment in 12-18 months. Prices 30-40% below European distributors, with installation and programming included from us.
Stop waiting for things to break. Our algorithms analyze sensor data and tell you exactly which part will fail and when, and we bring it to your production line before the breakdown. Zero unplanned downtime, zero contractual penalties, complete operational peace of mind.
Eliminate defects before they reach the customer. Our cameras inspect every part at speeds no operator can match, detecting sub-millimeter defects. They mount onto your existing line, with no modifications. Ideal if you produce for export and have strict quality clauses.
Connect your machines to your office, regardless of brand or age. Our gateway automatically translates the data from any machine into your ERP's format: no manual entry, no paper forms, no human error. The manager sees production live, the operator receives digital instructions.
Have a process that no off-the-shelf software can solve? We build custom industrial applications: from tailored SCADA panels and HMI interfaces, to production planning systems, lot traceability and automated reporting. The code is yours, it runs on your servers, with no monthly subscriptions or vendor lock-in.
Answers to the most common technical and commercial questions. Can't find what you're looking for?
Contact the team →Contact our team and receive a personalized offer within a maximum of 24 working hours.
