Any one Modified their brush guard

[Chuck K.]

I knew it would happen one day and it did,, while stacking a brush pile with my grapple I ran a limb through the brush guard and into my radiator..The good news is the radiator is easy to remove, I JB welded the leaking tube and going back together with it this evening. I am looking for ideas on how to prevent this from happening again..
Thanks, Chuck.

On a side note those of you running HST system may want to look into loosening your Hydro. fluid cooler and throughly back flushing it.. I regularly was my machine but the amount of dirt and debri that came out when backflushing surprised me..

 

[wildcatblue]

Weld some metal screen to the guard, thats what I am planning on doing if I can find the right stuff.

 

[PhilY]

Get one of those expanded metal sheets and attach it to the back side of the brush guard. This is a link to something like what I am mentioned.

Crown Bolt 24 in. x 3/4 in. x 24 in. Metal Plain Expanded Sheet 45840 at The Home Depot

 

[TripleR]

I haven't on one of our newer tractors, but I am beginning to think it might be a pretty good idea.

 

[Baby Grand]

I knew it would happen one day and it did,, while stacking a brush pile with my grapple I ran a limb through the brush guard and into my radiator..The good news is the radiator is easy to remove, I JB welded the leaking tube and going back together with it this evening. I am looking for ideas on how to prevent this from happening again..
Thanks, Chuck.

There have been a few threads about doing this - here's one:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/178946-jd-3032e-brush-guard-bucket.html

 

[creekbend]

Since I don't weld, this is what I did. I went to Home Depot, Lowes and TSC and looked at their expanded metal. In all cases, I didn't think that the product was heavy duty. I called my dealer for advice and he referred me to a welding shop less than a mile from his dealership. I took off the guard on my L4400 and took it there. It costs me $40.00 - no tax. I don't recall the guage of the material, but it was 3/4 expanded metal and it was much thicker and sturdier than the material that I had previously looked at. If you choose to have this done, please be sure to weld a piece on the bottom section also. BTW, they also painted it - same price- but I supplied the two cans of Kubota paint. Best wishes.

 

[spudd74]

Here's my B3200 with some expanded metal and an extra cross bar welded. Not sure how much it will affect the lights. Want to add some lights to the ROPS anyways

 

[displacedPA]

That looks nice, Now you have me thinking about my B2320. It lives in the woods for the most part.

Here's my B3200 with some expanded metal and an extra cross bar welded. Not sure how much it will affect the lights. Want to add some lights to the ROPS anyways

 

[dstig1]

Yep, and I did it for the same reason, but before the problem actually caused real damage. I also did expanded metal on the back of my grapple for the same reason. That helped the grapple work better too as having a backstop to push against meant things got scooped up better. You can see that in one of the pics too.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/welding/219535-grill-guard.html

 

[jcliburn]

I had to do my grill guard a little differently, since the frame is hinged on my MX5100. But like the OP, I learned I needed one the hard way after I poked a hole in the plastic nose of the tractor. And like dstig, I added expanded metal to the back of my grapple after an unfortunate incident occurred while using it in heavy brush (chronicled elsewhere in these forums).

Jay

 

[nybirdman]

I also need to do this;wiped out a battery and the lower grill.Lucky not to get the radiator.Thought it was strange the tractor wouldn't start in August............

 

[Redbug]

Yup...Been there, done that...

 

[gkh7890]

I've used #9 gauge expanded metal. It is very strong compared to what you will find at TSC, HD, Lowes, etc.

 

[dsgsr]

That expanded metal doesn't hold up as well as woven wire, trust me I know. I had my welder put on 3/8 inch. screen with 1/4 wire. I do screening of gravel and loam so I had the screen. You could go to an outfit that does this and ask them if they have any screen pieces laying around. The wire in these screens are hardened steel so it is strong and lasts.


David

 

[Chuck K.]

Finally a picture.. got the idea looking at my brother in laws dozer..

 

[kcender]

Finally a picture.. got the idea looking at my brother in laws dozer..View attachment 331791

Nice looking job,should definitely add protection.

 

[OneQuick68]

I learn a lot on this forum. I was actually wondering how to address the possibility of a stick damaging my radiator, etc. Great info, thanks for all the pictures. I am pulling my welder out soon and modifying my guard.

 

[ENC]

Here a couple pics of the addition to my brush guard. It has already saved my judging by the large dent in it over the middle brace. My brush guard also hinges so I still need to add some to the lower fixed part. When I was done welding I decided there was to much orange up there so I gave it a few shots of flat black followed with shaker can clear.

 

[bandaidmd]

good job guys ,thanks for sharing.
I will be doing this soon as yesterday morning a branch came thru the grill and was stopped by the battery(no cracks) looks like some heat gun reworking of the plastic part of the grill will repair it.