2305 Fan Shield

[rioravioli]

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.

Thanks for the pictures and diagram - I am having a sheet metal shop fab up that shield in a thick but pliable stainless steel diamond plate - as soon as it's done I will let you know how it works having two made so I will have an extra if anyone wants it, small cost.

 

[BIGWES]

Thanks for the pictures and diagram - I am having a sheet metal shop fab up that shield in a thick but pliable stainless steel diamond plate - as soon as it's done I will let you know how it works having two made so I will have an extra if anyone wants it, small cost.

PM me when product is ready. I would like to try it out.
Thanks,
Wes

 

[chipsndust]

rioravioli:
Please let me know if you come up with a supplier

 

[gary_dsc]

Ditto. I always thought that making such a plate could be a money making project for somebody with the equipment and the knowhow.

 

[BIGWES]

Agreed. I would rather get some kind of protection just in case. I read on another forum that a new 2305 owner was told by his salesman that JD is working on a fix for this but really I would have to see something in writing to be convinced.

 

[Joe Gremlin]

Its getting to be time take the mower deck off so I finally had to get cracking on making a fan shield. Props to chipsndust, I used the template you posted earlier in this thread as my starting point. I made a poster board cut out from that and then modified it a bit. Basically, I extened the right side (looking at the template) of it about 1-1/2" so the shield extends bit further toward the left side frame rail.

Once I had it tweeked, I traced the outline onto a piece of 16 gauge steel and cut it with a rotozip/4" cutting wheel attachment. My vise is on the small side, so I used a couple of pieces of flat bar stock steel I had laying around to 'widen' the jaws a bit and then I used a hammer to make the bends.

It fits perfectly and it looks like it should last quite a while before I have to fab up another. I shot it with a rattle can of JD yellow just to make it show up a bit better in the pictures.

 

[Deadman]

My 2210 fan shroud cost alot,.........It was an upgrade to a 2520! :laughing:

 

[Runner]

Exellent work, Joe!

Might just save you some future trouble.

 

[etcallhome]

chipsndust I did make a shield from your drawing and only problem I had was I used to thin of metal ....Drive shaft for mower would hit while mowing on slopes and lifting mower up to high..
I need to take another try but with some diamond plate . Also I was looking at
Joe Gremlin photos and his has much deeper bends that mine..
Wondering how is is working out...???

But thanks chipsndust for all your help with this project.

 

[chipsndust]

Its getting to be time take the mower deck off so I finally had to get cracking on making a fan shield. Props to chipsndust, I used the template you posted earlier in this thread as my starting point. I made a poster board cut out from that and then modified it a bit. Basically, I extened the right side (looking at the template) of it about 1-1/2" so the shield extends bit further toward the left side frame rail.

Once I had it tweeked, I traced the outline onto a piece of 16 gauge steel and cut it with a rotozip/4" cutting wheel attachment. My vise is on the small side, so I used a couple of pieces of flat bar stock steel I had laying around to 'widen' the jaws a bit and then I used a hammer to make the bends.

It fits perfectly and it looks like it should last quite a while before I have to fab up another. I shot it with a rattle can of JD yellow just to make it show up a bit better in the pictures.

Joe Gremlin:

Looks like a great job with the shield, I'm glad to hear someone else has tried it. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

I'll have to take another look, but I think when I tried to make the shield wider, like you did, it interfered with the PTO shaft for my front-mounted snowthrower. I remember that my first design would hit the MMM PTO shaft when the mower was all the way up, that's why I ended up with the "tapered finger" at the front.

Of course, not everyone uses the same implements, so I think 2305 owners can start with a cardboard cutout of the template I posted, and then "tweak" it for fit with their implements. Just be sure to save the "tweaked" template. It's easier to trace the flat template when you have to make another shield!

I'm still waiting for someone to come up with one made of thicker material.

Let us all know how it works out for you.

Chipsndust