2305 Fan Shield

[chipsndust]

Pictures of the fan shield I made for my 2305.
First picture is the template, made from roof flashing.
Second picture is the shield with bends, ready to install.
Third picture is the installed shield, best picture I could get with limited space.
This is not a skid plate, it does NOT protect the oil filter, it does not interfere with PTO driveshaft or 62" MMM.
I just replaced this, I had one on for over a year. It was dented up, but I didn't get any brush or sticks in my fan. (BTDT, don't want to do it again).
This one is made from heavy sheet metal, and attaches at three points to existing holes in the tractor frame and shield guard. It could be made from heavier metal, I made it from the heaviest material I could bend without special tools.

 

[AKfish]

Very professional!

Looks just like something that the John Deere engineering folk's should have considered after the 1st year that the 2305 came into service...

(Maybe one or two of them are fellow TBNer's?!?) We can only hope.

Thanks for sharing with the rest of us.

AKfish

 

[JCB]

Good work chips.

That's a tricky install. I've looked at it a couple times and can't convince myself to start that project.

If you can post a template, you just might achieve hero status among the scut owners.

Joe

 

[VABlue]

That's a nice fan cover - sure beats using the mower deck!

Hero status would be invoked immediately if someone could make up a skid plate that connects to the MMM lifters. I'm thinking of something with mounting points that are identical to the mower deck and would be as easy as the deck to put on and remove. It would be long and wide enough to cover anything of importance without interfering with operations or climbing on/off the seat.

I can envision it, but my fabrication skills are not adequate for the task...

 

[chipsndust]

Good work chips.

That's a tricky install. I've looked at it a couple times and can't convince myself to start that project.

If you can post a template, you just might achieve hero status among the scut owners.

Joe

Joe (and others):
Thanks for the kind words.
The first picture is a template, which hangs on the wall in my shop, for use when my shield gets dinged up and needs replacement. If it would help anyone, I can attempt to mark dimensions and bending details on the template and post it.

 

[chipsndust]

That's a nice fan cover - sure beats using the mower deck!

VA:
I originally used the $1650.00 fan cover (mower deck), but due to ground clearance issues, I switched over to the compact design!

 

[mred]

VABlue I agree with you. If someone made one for a reasonable price I would buy it.

 

[JohnDeere4300]

Good looking job

 

[etcallhome]

good looking fan shield !!
If you could put the measurment on line that would help
I was thinking of making one for my 2305

 

[chipsndust]

OK guys
Here's my best shot at a dimensioned sketch, and uploading a digital picture.
I rounded the corners where the attachment holes are on mine. I would suggest that you make one out of cardboard or roof flashing to tweak the dimensions, bends, and the locations of the mounting holes, then save that as a pattern (that's what I did).
I wish I had the skill set to make this from heavier gauge material, I can tell from the dings in the one I made that it has saved my fan numerous times.
As I said in my original post, this shield does not interfere with the PTO drive shaft to my 47" snowthrower, or with raising and lowering my 62" MMM. I would definitely buy one made from heavier stock if anyone could fab one.
Good luck, PM me if you have questions.

 

[gary_dsc]

With the number of 2210 and 2305 tractors that have been sold, I can't believe that somebody doesn't make parts like this available. I don't have the capability to bend the thickness of steel that I would like to use for this, but I would think that small shops that do could make some money here.

Any problems with restricting the air flow?

 

[chipsndust]

Gary:
I have the same limitation with bending heavier stock. I made mine from the heaviest sheet steel I could bend in my vise. The bends are all straight, so if you do them in the right sequence (inner bends first) you can handle pretty heavy stock with a vise and a hammer.
I did find that the flexibility of the sheet metal made it easier to install. I used #10 machine screws, washers, and lock washers. Possibly making the mounting holes oversized and using larger washers would help with installation if the material was thicker and nonflexible.
It works good for keeping brush, small branches and roots from getting into the fan. It's easy enough to make and install, that I just replace it if it gets torn up. I replaced mine this time because the dealer removed it when they did a 200 hour service (I had noticed it was dented up before they took it).
I have not noticed any over heating problems, with the shield in place, one side (toward center of tractor) is unobstructed. I have worked all day on hot days with FEL and box blade with no problems.

 

[etcallhome]

looking over your drawing and just wondering , up towards the top of drawing
coming down 4 3/8 in how far end is the upper amont

the lower one is 1" in so is the upper one in 1"+the 1 5/8 "
I haven't tried laying this out on paper and when I try printing it only the lower part of drawing will print out.

Thanks

 

[chipsndust]

et:
If I understand your question correctly, the dimension you are asking about is 4 inches.
The sketch as drawn is the bottom face, that is, it will be toward the ground when installed. The long "finger" that has the foremost anchor point, tapers 10 degrees to avoid interference with PTO shaft and MMM when raised. The taper starts about 3/4 inch below the corner of the 7 X 3 3/4 inch portion (about 3 inches up from the bottom right corner, if you have the finger at the top).
I will post another picture with the 4 inch and 3/4 inch dimensions added.

 

[gary_dsc]

Thanks for the drawings. I was always thinking about a skid plate, but didn't want to go that route because it would interfere with the mower. Your solution would seem to be better for me.

As far as the attachment holes are concerned, were they already available or did you have to drill and tap them?

 

[jsb2b]

Thanks for the drawings. I was always thinking about a skid plate, but didn't want to go that route because it would interfere with the mower. Your solution would seem to be better for me.

As far as the attachment holes are concerned, were they already available or did you have to drill and tap them?

Original post:
This one is made from heavy sheet metal, and attaches at three points to existing holes in the tractor frame and shield guard. It could be made from heavier metal, I made it from the heaviest material I could bend without special tools.

 

[etcallhome]

ok those measurements make more sense.

Thanks

 

[JDFANATIC]

chipsndust,

Thanks for the post and pics!

 

[chipsndust]

jd:
Sharing info is what TBN is all about; I've still gotten way more out of this site than I've put into it. I'm hoping to get some feedback from people who try to fab the shield, or better yet, improve on it.

 

[BIGWES]

chipsndust, you have great info here! Your ideals have been posted on
MTF also. There are a lot of members there that may be interested in
this project.