CLAMPS AND THUMBS

A clamp or thumb attachment is a hydraulically controlled “grip” for an excavator that works with your bucket to grab, hold and place irregular materials like rocks, debris, logs, pipe and demolition rubble with far more control than a bucket alone. 

Clamps and thumbs are used anywhere you need secure handling and precise placement, including: 

• Land clearing and brush cleanup. 
• Demolition, tear-out and debris sorting. 
• Utility and trench work (moving spoils, placing materials, backfilling control). 
• Landscaping/hardscaping (placing boulders, retaining wall materials). 
• Loading/unloading pipe, lumber, logs and odd-shaped items. 

A clamp attachment (for compact excavators) adds a strong “top jaw” so you can pinch and carry irregular objects while keeping excellent visibility and control – great for cleanup, material placement, trench work and light demolition. 

A thumb attachment (common on large excavators) pairs with the bucket through the digging cycle to pick up, hold and reposition heavy material – ideal for demolition, land clearing, handling rock and managing bulky loads without constantly regrabbing. 

Choose a clamp based on your excavator model, coupler system, and the kind of material you handle: 

1. Standard clamp: a strong, curved-tine design for everyday grabbing and carrying of round/irregular material with good debris shedding. 
2. Pro Clamp™ system: more adjustability for different load sizes and added versatility – plus an optional grading tool for smoothing trench bottoms and cleaning spoil piles. 

Also confirm compatibility with your machine configuration (for example, Pro Clamp is compatible with standard/long arm but not extendable arm). 

Pick the thumb style that matches how you work and how much range you want: 

1. HT thumb (main pin): a durable, straightforward option with powerful rotation for demanding jobs like demolition and land clearing. 
2. PL thumb (pro-link): a progressive-link thumb that follows the bucket more closely through the work cycle for better pickup and placement, especially when working close to the machine or handling tricky loads.  

Always match the thumb to your excavator model and bucket size requirements. 

No, clamps and thumbs are not universal. Fit depends on excavator model, pin dimensions, linkage geometry, coupler type, hydraulic setup, and sometimes bucket size. Your dealer can match the correct clamp or thumb to your machine so it pins up properly and works through the full cycle safely.