Are the hydraulic hoses normally routed stupid

[number two]

Many posters have noted the vulnerability of the dealer installed hoses under the tractor on the Grand L60 series.
Good Luck!

 

[RjCorazza]

My factory 3rd function hoses were routed much better than that, but still seemed unnecessarily exposed. There's a guy in Newfoundland that does custom mods for Kubota tractors, and he has a kit that bolts over those hoses (if that's what I'm looking at in the photos).
I'm not that good at fabrication, so I ordered the 3rd function guard and the high flasher guards he makes. They're not cheap, but very well designed and top quality.
L6060 3rd Function Guard

 

[LD1]

It isnt just kubota or just the GrandL60 series.

Look under any tractor and you will see they really arent made to be driving on the woods and over sticks and brush. Too many exposed fittings and filters, etc.

If you plan on extensive work in the brush....make (or have made) a skidplate to protect the vitals. I made one for my MX after a stick caught the return tube and dislodged it from the transmission case and puked oil all over. Dead in the water and towed it back with another tractor. Made the skid plate that afternoon with a piece of ~16ga aluminum that I had laying around

 

[LHF2019]

If the hose doesn't need to move or can't be routed differently you can use zip ties in several places to suck it up close to the tractor AFTER installing another thick hose over to protect it. I personally use milk hose but that's what I have around. Use heavy ties, I think some I have are rated for over 100lbs, 70 at least. I have taken new equipment such as round baler and would have somebody cycle the door repeatedly and any hose rubbing got a protective cover. Better to be pro active than re active.

Skid plate is good idea though could be pricy and time consuming. Hard to see with your pictures all options available.

 

[bigcummins03]

It isnt just kubota or just the GrandL60 series.

Look under any tractor and you will see they really arent made to be driving on the woods and over sticks and brush. Too many exposed fittings and filters, etc.

If you plan on extensive work in the brush....make (or have made) a skidplate to protect the vitals. I made one for my MX after a stick caught the return tube and dislodged it from the transmission case and puked oil all over. Dead in the water and towed it back with another tractor. Made the skid plate that afternoon with a piece of ~16ga aluminum that I had laying around

That’s just absurd to have the most vital items hang down the lowest point. Even if it took an extra foot or of hose to route beafter then it would one worth the work. Even if that low it hard to believe they don’t have a skid plate for them or all ready pre determined locations for when normal options that are added such as their function. I mean these things ain’t exactly made for street driving only. Just blows my mind.

 

[bigcummins03]

My factory 3rd function hoses were routed much better than that, but still seemed unnecessarily exposed. There's a guy in Newfoundland that does custom mods for Kubota tractors, and he has a kit that bolts over those hoses (if that's what I'm looking at in the photos).
I'm not that good at fabrication, so I ordered the 3rd function guard and the high flasher guards he makes. They're not cheap, but very well designed and top quality.
L6060 3rd Function Guard

That is sweet! Yes expensive too. I like to fabricate and can too so I’ll end up doing that. Might weld it directly to the tractor as making it bolt on and off is more time consuming to build. But thanks it’ll help someone I’m sure.

 

[bigcummins03]

If the hose doesn't need to move or can't be routed differently you can use zip ties in several places to suck it up close to the tractor AFTER installing another thick hose over to protect it. I personally use milk hose but that's what I have around. Use heavy ties, I think some I have are rated for over 100lbs, 70 at least. I have taken new equipment such as round baler and would have somebody cycle the door repeatedly and any hose rubbing got a protective cover. Better to be pro active than re active.

Skid plate is good idea though could be pricy and time consuming. Hard to see with your pictures all options available.

I would think with a 90* or 45* at the connecting point on the frame you could route the hoses from above the cross member. It’s what I’m going to suggest and see if they’ll do. Then clean up the mess. Just hope they don’t drag their feet fixing it.

 

[LD1]

That’s just absurd to have the most vital items hang down the lowest point. Even if it took an extra foot or of hose to route beafter then it would one worth the work. Even if that low it hard to believe they don’t have a skid plate for them or all ready pre determined locations for when normal options that are added such as their function. I mean these things ain’t exactly made for street driving only. Just blows my mind.

No they arent made for street driving, but they arent made for driving over brush and in the woods too.

Its all about marketing. They arent gonna put something on the tractor (skid plate protection) that cost more $$$ that only 1% of their customers may ever need. There are always compromises. If they routed hoses differently....what else would they be in the way of? In the way of preforming services or adjustments....then we'd be complaining about why they routed them that way. Or put a skid plate on as standard....those that dont need it would be complaining about it always packing full of mud and debris and making it harder to drain and change the oils.

Treat the machine as a blank canvas and modify it to suit your needs. Tractors are the most versatile tool made. And its impossible to engineer it to cover ALL circumstances.

 

[bigcummins03]

No they arent made for street driving, but they arent made for driving over brush and in the woods too.

Its all about marketing. They arent gonna put something on the tractor (skid plate protection) that cost more $$$ that only 1% of their customers may ever need. There are always compromises. If they routed hoses differently....what else would they be in the way of? In the way of preforming services or adjustments....then we'd be complaining about why they routed them that way. Or put a skid plate on as standard....those that dont need it would be complaining about it always packing full of mud and debris and making it harder to drain and change the oils.

Treat the machine as a blank canvas and modify it to suit your needs. Tractors are the most versatile tool made. And its impossible to engineer it to cover ALL circumstances.

I mean they offer a grapple tool for them so obviously they are made for going to collect brush and such. A tire kicked up a stick and caught the hose. A stick that my zero turn I’d drive over and mow as it’s got the commercial 5”deck made for that stuff. All to think I can’t drive over sticks in a grand L series tractor. I mean common! What are we talking about here lol.

 

[LD1]

I mean they offer a grapple tool for them so obviously they are made for going to collect brush and such. A tire kicked up a stick and caught the hose. A stick that my zero turn I’d drive over and mow as it’s got the commercial 5”deck made for that stuff. All to think I can’t drive over sticks in a grand L series tractor. I mean common! What are we talking about here lol.

"they" as in the manufactures.....most dont offer a grapple.

Those are aftermarket and generic SSQA grapples.

$hit Happens. Even if the hoses are routed different and skidplate protection is no guarantee of a 1 in a million fluke stick getting lodged somewhere and breaking a hose.

Like it or not, Im just explaining the reality. And the reality is....look under your tractor....and you will see it clearly wasnt designed to live its life in the woods. Live and learn....make or have made a skid plate....and keep on tractoring