Time for some skid plates

xrjohndeere · Nov 23, 2020

I was using my 342hst the other day moving dirt and cleaning up some under growth brush. I pushed in the rear hydro pedal and it would not come back up. I could not push the other one down either. I could not pop it into neutral. I was on a run away tractor. I didn稚 panic. I throttled down and backed up to a open spot and shut the key off. I locked the brake and lowered the loader and blade. I figured some linkage broke. I looked under the tractor and found a stick was wedged between the two linkages of the hydro pedals preventing them from returning to neutral position. Looking over the under carriage I have decided to build some plates to cover vital stuff underneath and also the fuel tank. Anybody out there make any skid plates for their tractor? Any pics? Ideas? Thanks for any info.

MF243RedTop · Nov 23, 2020

Full belly works great if you can swing it on your model or as close as you can get.

I broke a couple of foot throttle linkages before going into full forestry mode. No problems since..

1 of U · Nov 24, 2020

your tractor looks more like a Skidder ....

just use some 1/4 inch plate use 1/4 X2 for the straps lay out how you want it all to bolt to the tractor
then come back and weld your straps to the plate steel , roud off and edges so they dont catch and dig
either in the debri field or you split your head on it when your under it ..

Jake

Avenger · Nov 24, 2020

I have a subframe mount for my backhoe that replaced the FEL support arms that ran from my rear axle to the loader brackets. The new subframe mount is more like a 'T' (upside down) with 3/8in steel vs the old square stock that was factory. This makes an excellent shelf for expanded or sheet metal. I've been planning on bolting something to this 'shelf' to act as a skid plate for a while, just havent gotten to it. I was thinking of expanded metal because that way I can easily tell if there is a leak or something, while offering protection. Granted, the protection offered by expanded is not as good as sheet steel, but better than nothing.

Maybe consider fabricating new loader support arms, like an upside down 'T' that will serve as the FEL supports and a shelf for a skid plate.

1 of U · Nov 24, 2020

Hello,

the expanded metal is like pissing in the wind !!

if you going to put the time in to build a shield/guard then do it right
the first time and you wont have to go back and do it a second time ,
on a guard it can be drilled if needed ,, then if there is any leaks that
may arise you shoud be able to see drips ,,, then you will know you
have a problem ,,

Jake