fan guard for bx 25

[tom correa]

So I ordered the fan guard from Bro Tek after reading all of the horror stories about having the fan blades broken off. I haven't received the guard yet but I was looking under my brand new BX 25 yesterday to see how difficult it may be to get under it and lo and behold, my new 25 has a fan guard installed from the factory already. Does anyone have any experience with this guard yet? Should I send the new Bro Tek back when it arrives? Not sure if one is better than the other. But $180.00 is a lot for something I may not need.
Tom Correa

 

[sw03]

I still would like to know how people are killing the fan...To me, if you killed if you should have bought the next B-size...


Watching this thread since I would like to know.

 

[pdowling1]

You have a "Fan Guard". BroTek makes a skidplate. When you get it you will see the difference. If you ever operate in brush the "Fan Guard" isn't going to protect you like the BroTek product will. Would you play hockey with just a mouthguard? Or would you rather have a helmet?

 

[sw03]

I agree but I used my bx in a 1/2 acre + in all tree cut down and I did not think the unit should be running over trees etc.

I would like to see pix of both.

 

[pdowling1]

If you never operate around brush, you don't have a problem. The factory guard should be adequate. Just don't stray off your lawn!!

 

[Dusty]

You have a "Fan Guard". BroTek makes a skidplate. When you get it you will see the difference. If you ever operate in brush the "Fan Guard" isn't going to protect you like the BroTek product will. Would you play hockey with just a mouthguard? Or would you rather have a helmet?

I don't play hockey with my BX... nor do I wear a helmet while operating the BX... I don't even wear the seat belt, and I am alive to talk about it..

 

[bp fick]

The older BX went naked for years. This year Kubota briefly had a very small guard, which they quickly replaced with a much larger guard. It is pretty good for the average user. Photo attached.

But if you play logger or rough country ranger with your BX, the full body armor of the Bro is what will be required. I also agree that such a user might better have considered a B series with higher ground clearance and no fan at all.

This decision is based on one's usage and entirely one's own to make.

 

[bp fick]

If you decide to keep the BroTek you could always sell your OEM guard. There might be someone here who would give you $25 for it. They could order a new one from Kubota for $40.

 

[TripleR]

Uh; looked at the B and didn't like it for my use; why buy a tractor that doesn't fit your needs and pay a couple thousand more when you can pay $180 for a Bro Tek skid plate for the BX.

 

[bp fick]

Uh; looked at the B and didn't like it for my use; why buy a tractor that doesn't fit your needs and pay a couple thousand more when you can pay $180 for a Bro Tek skid plate for the BX.

You embedded a question there and sure, I'll give a measured answer.

For you? Apparently no. But for others? A skid plate protects but doesn't add an inch to ground clearance.
The OP, however, is asking a different question. Is the OEM guard good enough? The answer is impossible to answer with absolute certainty. The answer is completely dependent upon how the user intends to put his BX to task and under what conditions. It's that simple and that complex. The answers given have been solid advice.

 

[BotaBigot]

Is the OEM guard "good enough?" In a word...no, because there's always the possibility of that chance sapling/brush encounter, multiplied by the lower BX ground clearance. A skid plate is cheap insurance. Yes, I know, if you never remove the mower, you don't need one...but we're talkin' BX TLBs here...

 

[keyman1808]

I had my BX24 for 1 1/2 years and never thought about it until reading the horror stories on here and other boards. I dont venture off too often but when I do I go into the thick brush. I have been lucky and no damage but this year I made sure santa brought me a skid plate. 180 for the plate or 500 or more to repair a broken fan. You dont need to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.

 

[radioman]

Tom- I would put the brotek on. No questions asked. The kubota installed fan guard I agree has some sort of protection, but IMHO is not enough to prevent a dinky little $20 plastic fan from breaking that requires hours to replace properly not to mention cost of another person to do it. Whats wrong with using both for protection ?

 

[kylied]

I recently bought both front and rear Bro-tek skid plates for my BX2660 and have no regrets, they are very well designed, go on and off easily, provides outstanding protection for the underbody, price for both was $280 shipping included, you can't put a price on peace of mind.

BX2660, brush guard, fel, 60''mmm, ballast box, Bro-tek skid plates

 

[TripleR]

I recently bought both front and rear Bro-tek skid plates for my BX2660 and have no regrets, they are very well designed, go on and off easily, provides outstanding protection for the underbody, price for both was $280 shipping included, you can't put a price on peace of mind.

BX2660, brush guard, fel, 60''mmm, ballast box, Bro-tek skid plates

Agreed, in addition to the front and rear plates, I also got the steering linkage protection for my BX2660. I used my BX2200 for six years without damage, but all it takes is one errant stick to screw it all up and like you point out, the cost is worth the peace of mind.

 

[tom correa]

I really appreciate all of the input regarding whether I should go with the Bro Tek skid plate. I will install it when it arrives and not worry about my fan blades anymore. Thanks all and Happy New Year to everyone.
Tom