Bent my brush guard CK30

[jimmyj]

Well, the other day I went to open the hood and....it won't open because it won't clear the brush guard. Somehow, I must have bent it back a bit. I have no idea how although I did push a couple of round bales around but I would not have thought they would do that sort of damage.

It seems to be back equally on both the left and right side so I wonder if I can put a chain around it, then wrap the chain around something big and stationary and back up to "un-bend" it.

Any comments?

 

[MichiganIron]

You aren't the first...and won't be the last. Wrap a strap high on the guard, and back up slowly!!

 

[jimmyj]

OK thanks.

And...Michigan Iron rocks! You guys are always so helpful.

 

[Dmace]

They are a little soft, mine bent back enough to hit the hood when opening so I put a chain around a tree and the grill and backed up slowly. I may have moved it out more then stock but it doesn't hit.

 

[IslandTractor]

You aren't the first...and won't be the last. Wrap a strap high on the guard, and back up slowly!!

As an alternative, how about using a come along attached to the top of the brush guard and some stationary object. Might be a little easier to make fine adjustments.

 

[wallace]

Funny story here...
I had a customer call me screaming at us because we sold him a machine that the hood won't open on..keep in mind he had the machine for a month.
So I went over how to open the hood...customer got even more up set so I told him I would send some one out...
After we got there and saw the grill guard into the hood I asked him what he hit...he said I didn't hit anything I was just pushing stumps!
We hooked a strap on it and around the cross tube on the loader and slowely lowered the loader and for some odd reason the hood just opened

 

[jimmyj]

Good idea on the loader Rick. Thanks!

 

[VictorW]

Funny story here...
I had a customer call me screaming at us because we sold him a machine that the hood won't open on..keep in mind he had the machine for a month.
So I went over how to open the hood...customer got even more up set so I told him I would send some one out...
After we got there and saw the grill guard into the hood I asked him what he hit...he said I didn't hit anything I was just pushing stumps!
We hooked a strap on it and around the cross tube on the loader and slowely lowered the loader and for some odd reason the hood just opened

It's amazing how the minds of some people work.

I don't have a brush guard but if they bend easily, would it be worth the time to reinforce it or are some just trying to turn the guard into a mini dozer?

 

[jimmyj]

I bent it back using Rick's method. Man it was easy, that metal is not nearly as strong as I thought.

Victor, the guard is still worth it. I've had stuff fall over and such and bang it a number of times. You are right though, it should not be used to shove stuff around. It's cheaper than a new grille and headlight setup!

 

[Highbeam]

These things aren't bulldozers. I would be careful building up this guard to withstand huge impacts since, well, what's the next thing to go? I plan on not ever actually hitting anything with it on purpose.