Radiator Guard for Grapple ??

[bdhsfz6]

I've seen various posts here about radiator / grille damage caused by using a grapple. There have also been a lot of posts on grille guards. Since I just bought a grapple, is there any particular type of guard that works best with this implement? Since I've never used one, is there anything to watch out for? I suppose something as simple as a piece of plywood strapped to the FEL grille guard would work but I'd like something more creative. I'd appreciate any ideas / pictures other members may have specific to grapple use.

 

[George2615]

If your MX has the factory brush guard you just need to get some expanded metal, cut it to shape and weld to the guard. If you don't have the guard you can probably order it from Kubota.
The other choice is to build your own from scratch. Plywood may block enough radiator air flow to cause problems.

Not a Kubota but here's mine.

 

[dieselcrawler]

The grapple doesn't directly cause the damage, just helps you decide to bury the nose of the tractor deeper into brush and other pokey dangers than you might otherwise. I have no grapple, but have nearly done major damage to my engine compartment with normal loader work in the woods.

Personally, I would look at protection that wraps around the bottom and sides as well, as I had a 1" stick nearly 5' long hit me in the right knee one day... after going up over the front axle, beside the fuel filter bowl, between fuel and hydraulic lines, and out from behind the side cover into my knee. Could have caused hundreds of dollars in damage, but I was very lucky, only minor damage to side panel. It went in, in such a way that no grill guard would have stopped it. Beware...

 

[nybirdman]

Add one for sure "before" you do some damage by running into brush piles. I was lucky only taking out the lower plastic grill and battery and not my radiator.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Here's the exact same question from 2yrs ago:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/338538-mx-brush-guard.html?highlight=

 

[bdhsfz6]

Here's the exact same question from 2yrs ago:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/338538-mx-brush-guard.html?highlight=

Thanks for the link. Strange it didn't show up in any of the searches I've done.

That post also raises a good question. Does the 3/16" expanded metal mesh offer enough protection? It would certainly help but a 3/16" stick could still do a lot of damage if it pokes through at the right angle. Not likely to happen that often though.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Thanks for the link. Strange it didn't show up in any of the searches I've done.

That post also raises a good question. Does the 3/16" expanded metal mesh offer enough protection? It would certainly help but a 3/16" stick could still do a lot of damage if it pokes through at the right angle. Not likely to happen that often though.

Good point... if the right size obstacle at the right angle... alot of variables, the goal is to lower the average, perfect protection means parking the tractor inside a steel ship container, locked up inside a cement block building and NEVER taking it out... but if the guards you chose to install can lower the chance of intrusion of sticks and other dangers into vulnerable areas, you've gained... despite my close call, I have yet to add any further protection to my tractor, but it has made me far more aware of my surroundings.

 

[CADplans]

Thanks for the link. Strange it didn't show up in any of the searches I've done.

That post also raises a good question. Does the 3/16" expanded metal mesh offer enough protection?

It would certainly help but a 3/16" stick could still do a lot of damage if it pokes through at the right angle.

If the 3/16" mesh were 6-8 inches in front of the grill,, there would be zero chance the stick that long would have any strength.

Possibly, even 1/2" openings at 10 inches in front would stop all damage.

Poking any stick through mesh for 10 inches would be a very odd occurance,,,

 

[Mikeeemo]

Had I took the time to do this to my tractor, I could have avoided the landscape timber that lined up to took out the head lamps. Just missed the radiator.

 

[Buxus]

Thanks for the link. Strange it didn't show up in any of the searches I've done.

That post also raises a good question. Does the 3/16" expanded metal mesh offer enough protection? It would certainly help but a 3/16" stick could still do a lot of damage if it pokes through at the right angle. Not likely to happen that often though.

I don't have any info about radiator protection, but I can help with the searching of TBN. I find that doing a google search is a much more effective way to search for info on TBN than using the TBN search feature.

 

[TripleR]

If you have even a bit of skill, you can build one, if not any local welding shop will put some expanded metal or for some might prefer this. Grill Guard

Mine does not have side guards, but hopefully my next one will.

 

[scdeerslayer]

Make sure whatever you make doesn't interfere with the folding of the factory grille guard. I want to build one too. I'm thinking instead of welding to the factory guard I will weld expanded metal to angle iron and then bolt that to the factory grille guard. You'd think something like that would be an oem option or at lease someone would make it in the aftermarket.

 

[TripleR]

My brother did that for my L5740.

 

[ovrszd]

I don't abuse my tractor, but I use it. I built this one using the factory frame.

 

[Wildfire]

I welded one up using expanded mesh and the original kubota grill guard. Good thing too, because I managed to put a "stick" through the expanded metal while pushing up a burn pile. Surely would have trashed my front end had the guard not been there.

 

[oosik]

This is how I had my factory grill guard modified. I had the exact same concerns as the OP and had this done before any damage.


View attachment 501937

 

[TomSeller]

I don't abuse my tractor, but I use it. I built this one using the factory frame.

Nice. That is one serious brush guard. Good work!

 

[ovrszd]

Nice. That is one serious brush guard. Good work!

Thanks Tom.

 

[TripleR]

I don't abuse my tractor, but I use it. I built this one using the factory frame.

I sent those pictures to my brother a few weeks ago and if he gets time, our M8540 will have one like that this summer.

 

[ovrszd]

I sent those pictures to my brother a few weeks ago and if he gets time, our M8540 will have one like that this summer.

He might have had the time before he retired, but not now!!!