Skid Plate

[antlers125]

Just an FYI for the guys running tractors that are air cooled. You might want to use some type of mesh material to help w/ air flow.

 

[SGreene]

We call it puck board,not sure of the realmname anywhere that sells plastics would have it,I believe it got its name from hockey rinks,i think they line the inside of the boards with it. Although I may be wrong.what i do know is the stuffs tougher than nails

UHMW Poly ultra high molecular weight poly

 

[Coyote machine]

Trust me that my DK-40 is no garage queen. I use it to the max in most everything I do. I found out very early with my first Dk-35 the problems roots can cause. I had been digging perk test holes and was coming out of the area when one of my QDs located under the right side floorboard was knocked apart by a root that caught the female coupling and rendered the hyd line useless. I went to slow down and found that the tractor was not following my 'instructions'and I had to slam on the brake pedal to keep from running over the site tech who was stupidly walking right in front of the tractor- oblivious to his near fate. It was not a fun experience and that's not the only time that QD has been knocked apart enough to render tractor operational control mostly non-existent.

From reading all the posts here it seems the UHMW 'puck' board, possibly combined with some strategically specked expanded metal could render a lightweight and strong undercarriage protection shield for all our tractors, especially in crucial damage points like HST filter area and QDs locations to name a few. If someone with the 'mapping' skills necessary to draw up a template for a particular layout were to manage to crank one out it could be reproduced in quantity and made worthwhile to manufacture and sell for enough $ to cover costs to get out to TBN members and others over time as word spread here. JMHO.

 

[Bigrackslayer]

Trust me that my DK-40 is no garage queen. I use it to the max in most everything I do. I found out very early with my first Dk-35 the problems roots can cause. I had been digging perk test holes and was coming out of the area when one of my QDs located under the right side floorboard was knocked apart by a root that caught the female coupling and rendered the hyd line useless. I went to slow down and found that the tractor was not following my 'instructions'and I had to slam on the brake pedal to keep from running over the site tech who was stupidly walking right in front of the tractor- oblivious to his near fate. It was not a fun experience and that's not the only time that QD has been knocked apart enough to render tractor operational control mostly non-existent.

From reading all the posts here it seems the UHMW 'puck' board, possibly combined with some strategically specked expanded metal could render a lightweight and strong undercarriage protection shield for all our tractors, especially in crucial damage points like HST filter area and QDs locations to name a few. If someone with the 'mapping' skills necessary to draw up a template for a particular layout were to manage to crank one out it could be reproduced in quantity and made worthwhile to manufacture and sell for enough $ to cover costs to get out to TBN members and others over time as word spread here. JMHO.

I agree with you

 

[SGreene]

If someone with the 'mapping' skills necessary to draw up a template for a particular layout were to manage to crank one out

A big card board box works well in this case to cut a template.

 

[VroomVroom]

A big card board box works well in this case to cut a template.

Yeah I just bought s 4x8 sheet of Miranda board of panel board and cut it out that way. Measeared width between rear tires a width between fronts when she’s turning. Between the front and back it’s flared out. The full sheet of steel extended under the front axle and beyond. I zipped it off just forward of the front axle and then reattached the same piece on a homemade hinge that will fold up to touch the front bumper. I have tabs welded on this pice also that matches two pieces I bolted to the front bumper.

 

[Threepoint]

We call it puck board,not sure of the realmname anywhere that sells plastics would have it,I believe it got its name from hockey rinks,i think they line the inside of the boards with it. Although I may be wrong.what i do know is the stuffs tougher than nails

Very interesting stuff! Looks like it's even available in a perforated form, which could be helpful for avoiding heat build up in lieu of expanded metal. Also looks like it can be "plastic welded", although I suspect that might require a process beyond DIY resources of most of us. Puck Board Canada - Puck Board Canada

Hmm, just happened on this How To link. Scroll down to the sections on puck board and plastic welding of HDPE. One big caveat is that puck board is not UV stable, so will eventually become brittle and crack when used outside where UV gets to it.
HDPE | Plastic 'How To' Tips & Projects

 

[NSKioti]

Bigrackslayer did you get one figured out?

 

[Bigrackslayer]

Bigrackslayer did you get one figured out?

Not yet NSKioti I just finished renovating an old porch at my place and a few other things to do before I get a chance to work on the plate. Looking like I will be using the puck board with some sort of brackets mounted to it to mount to the tractor. Will also get a big piece of cardboard from work for a template(amazing the things you find on the highway that people loose lol). Just wondering what would the easiest way to cut this puck board as I have never worked with it before.

 

[NSKioti]

Cant remember if i used a band saw or jig saw with a med to fine tooth,for straight cuts you can rip it on table saw or circ saw.