B3350 Grille Guard Improvement

[I'll get around to it]

Just got a custom upgrade to my grille guard. Since I lack welding skills, my metal fab. is limited to what I can do with an angle grinder, drill, sawzall, hammers, vise with bolts to hold it together. As you can see from the before photo, that worked fine for my version 1.0 - no grille punctures since it was installed. Last year I got an EA 55 Wicked Grapple and decided to upgrade the grille guard so that I don't rip off the 3rd function hoses with the factory guard "horns" or my fabbed guard & bolts. Dusty (Log into Facebook) did a great job fabricating the upgraded grille guard. With the angle iron across the top, there's more protection against unexpected limb falling.

 

[WranglerX]

Keep thinking I need to gather up materials and make one for my MF, but never quite get started....

 

[Seven Gables]

Here’s a exceedingly easy way to make a excellent grille guard, no drilling or welding involved.
I bought a 49”x54” sheet of perforated steel 3/16” thick 3/8” holes on 9/16” centers, enough to make four good sized guards. At $18 a square foot cost a little more than expanded metal but stronger and makes the build super simple. Only other hardware needed is some J Bolt’s available at bout any hardware. I used 5/16x 5” for one guard and 5/16x 7” for another.
Cut , paint and install all there is to it.
I used a plasma cutter but a jigsaw and couple good bi metal blades would do it.

 

[RjCorazza]

Here’s a exceedingly easy way to make a excellent grille guard, no drilling or welding involved.
I bought a 49”x54” sheet of perforated steel 3/16” thick 3/8” holes on 9/16” centers, enough to make four good sized guards. At $18 a square foot cost a little more than expanded metal but stronger and makes the build super simple. Only other hardware needed is some J Bolt’s available at bout any hardware. I used 5/16x 5” for one guard and 5/16x 7” for another.
Cut , paint and install all there is to it.
I used a plasma cutter but a jigsaw and couple good bi metal blades would do it.

Clever install method. My purchased grill guard bolts on through the side plates. I like bolt on designs because I remove the guard in the winter for night time snow plowing.
I think I would mount the guard on the front edge rather than behind though.

 

[I'll get around to it]

Seven Gables - very nice build on your guard.

 

[Seven Gables]

Thanks, was really quite easy. I like to bolt them on also as RJC says. I’d have to remove them too if I ever want to use suitcase weights on front so that was big reason for bolt on.
I also think if you dropped the perforated steel thickness down to 1/8” or little less it could be gently pulled with the j hooks to conform to a lightly curved brush guard.
Pic of a shorter one for a 5m guard

 

[old and tired]

I would be very worried about sticks coming from below... I put 2 layers of mesh down there. Also under the bottom which holds my chains!!!

My feelings about covering the lights, if I have crap coming through there, I don't need to be there!!! I can see when stick are getting close to the head lights.

 

[can do]

Just got a custom upgrade to my grille guard. Since I lack welding skills, my metal fab. is limited to what I can do with an angle grinder, drill, sawzall, hammers, vise with bolts to hold it together. As you can see from the before photo, that worked fine for my version 1.0 - no grille punctures since it was installed. Last year I got an EA 55 Wicked Grapple and decided to upgrade the grille guard so that I don't rip off the 3rd function hoses with the factory guard "horns" or my fabbed guard & bolts. Dusty (Log into Facebook) did a great job fabricating the upgraded grille guard. With the angle iron across the top, there's more protection against unexpected limb falling.

Just got a custom upgrade to my grille guard. Since I lack welding skills, my metal fab. is limited to what I can do with an angle grinder, drill, sawzall, hammers, vise with bolts to hold it together. As you can see from the before photo, that worked fine for my version 1.0 - no grille punctures since it was installed. Last year I got an EA 55 Wicked Grapple and decided to upgrade the grille guard so that I don't rip off the 3rd function hoses with the factory guard "horns" or my fabbed guard & bolts. Dusty (Log into Facebook) did a great job fabricating the upgraded grille guard. With the angle iron across the top, there's more protection against unexpected limb falling.

That is a very nice job on the grille guard; Looks like something you would see on. forestry equipment, & just a perfect fabrication; Looks factory. Again nice job.

 

[oosik]

Hey - "get around to it". That's one GREAT job on the grill guard upgrade. It's good to see that you understand the damage that can be caused without that upgrade.

I read two posts on the "woohs" of no guard and had mine done. Very similar to what you did. That was eight years ago.

I've picked my share of limbs/sticks out of the expanded metal on mine.

 

[can do]

I would be very worried about sticks coming from below... I put 2 layers of mesh down there. Also under the bottom which holds my chains!!!

My feelings about covering the lights, if I have crap coming through there, I don't need to be there!!! I can see when stick are getting close to the head lights.

Nice job looks pretty damn good, & it's not store bought.