BX25 and Brotek Skid Plate
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Deano
Veteran Member
Get the skid plate or make your own (not hard at all). From what I have seen of Kubota's guard, you need better protection!!
Deano
Deano
bp fick
Super Member
Depends totally on your use. If you get "off road" at all then something additional seems prudent. As hot as these HSTs run, take a look at the various concepts from posters here at TBN. You don't want to potentially create another problem with debris trapping and cooling restriction.
Use the search function to find threads and photos of all the options and self fabricated concept pieces.
Use the search function to find threads and photos of all the options and self fabricated concept pieces.
JOHNTHOMAS
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2008
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- 7,719
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- Somerset, Ky
- Tractor
- F2690 4WD RTV X1140 MX5400 HST ZD1211
Congratulations on your purchase. I have a BX25 and I don't have anything but the plate installed by Kubota. I do work some in areas with sticks but I don't do logging. I try to stay aware of where I am and that there is a vulnerable area for sticks under my tractor. As one poster stated you can never have enough protection, never have enough, even with add on, never enough. There are also concerns for me of wanting enough air for adequate circulation so I'm sticking with the one Kubota installed after the problem became pretty well known and I'm not adding any additional plates. I've had four other BX's that didn't have thhe plate that my current BX25 has and never had a problem with any of them but they all had MMM's on them.
radioman
Super Member
Just think of the labor required to replace the little dinky plastic fan if done the right way. Its alotta hours from what I see. If all you do is mowing on flat land, no trees around- then by all means forget the skid plate. Since you have a BH, are you planning on using it? My guess would be yes. If you are diggin near trees, moving rocks from hole you dug, then the chances go up to rip the fins to shreds of the fan. Its up to you.
IMHO, the kubota protection is great to start with, but not enough. I made my own skid plate when I take the MMM off for the winter. (granted I don't always use it during the summer when taking MMM off, I should though).
IMHO, the kubota protection is great to start with, but not enough. I made my own skid plate when I take the MMM off for the winter. (granted I don't always use it during the summer when taking MMM off, I should though).
OP
metalheart
Bronze Member
Thanks for the replies ... at first it seemed adding a skid plate could do no harm and add extra protection, but then I did read past posts about debris between the skid plate and tractor and some issues with heat build up because of the skid plate.
I will not have a mmm on the tractor and will be going off road most of the time I use it, so I guess as long as I examine the skid plate for debris, then it should not be a problem?
Thanks
MH
I will not have a mmm on the tractor and will be going off road most of the time I use it, so I guess as long as I examine the skid plate for debris, then it should not be a problem?
Thanks
MH
radioman
Super Member
I would think so. :thumbsup:
zoltanthegypsy
Gold Member
I don't have a MMM on my BX24. I mow a field of _grass_ (not sticks or rocks) with a little bush hog. I don't get there often so the grass is tall and tough.
1st thing that happened was (AFAIKS) grass wrapped the drive shaft and took out the wiring harness. $$$! Got that fixed and went back to finish the job.
Grass wrapped the front pinion shaft and wiped out the seal. Just $$ this time.
I run all 3 Bro-tek plates and a guard I made for the front pinion and u-joint out of 3" ABS. So far so good.
I regularly check for debris accumulation, which seems like a good idea in any case. My mechanic tells me that crap can also accumulate between the rear wheels and transaxle, and take out those seals. He says replacing one of those requires splitting the case. Ugh.
Let's be safe out there...
Z.
1st thing that happened was (AFAIKS) grass wrapped the drive shaft and took out the wiring harness. $$$! Got that fixed and went back to finish the job.
Grass wrapped the front pinion shaft and wiped out the seal. Just $$ this time.
I run all 3 Bro-tek plates and a guard I made for the front pinion and u-joint out of 3" ABS. So far so good.
I regularly check for debris accumulation, which seems like a good idea in any case. My mechanic tells me that crap can also accumulate between the rear wheels and transaxle, and take out those seals. He says replacing one of those requires splitting the case. Ugh.
Let's be safe out there...
Z.
Like Z said...preventative maintenance.:thumbsup:
I like your front shaft guard idea.
And there's the radiator hose fix for those dinky tie rod end seals...WHMoll
New member
After a couple years of running through brush, I had my fan taken out by a single small branch on a cleared road. The stock "skid plate" is worthless. After crawling under the tractor and inspecting, I am amazed that I never took out the hydraulic filter or broke the rear case. I made two attachment plates from 1/2"x5"x14" plate. The first was attached to the frame spacer just ahead of the fan by two u-bolts like the commercial skid plate is. I welded ears on the other and mounted it with the existing holes in the frame, using one of the holes used for the front drive shaft pillow block (12mm x 1.25 x ~ 42mm bolt required). I used scrap metal for the plate and added a second baffle - I am a bit paranoid after the little twig costing $225 at the Kubota place. The fan repair is about 3 hours - see PSB-2007-050 HST FAN.pdf on the internet for details.
Making the skid plate is about 3-4 hours if you are skilled and can measure and 5-6 hours if you are like me. It me cost about $40 in parts, but that depends upon what you have in your scrap box. All new materials would be about $75. I used 5/16" u-bolts based on using 3, but the middle was way too close to the fan. If I ever have to take it off, I will put it back with 3/8" u-bolts.
Making the skid plate is about 3-4 hours if you are skilled and can measure and 5-6 hours if you are like me. It me cost about $40 in parts, but that depends upon what you have in your scrap box. All new materials would be about $75. I used 5/16" u-bolts based on using 3, but the middle was way too close to the fan. If I ever have to take it off, I will put it back with 3/8" u-bolts.
4shorts
Elite Member
Get yourself a skid pan. I've replaced those fans for customers and to do it right takes a pile of time. I built my own. Took me a day to do it but glad that I did. One twig can ruin your day.
haveissues
Silver Member
4shorts,
Completely unrelated but do you have any more pics of how well your machine fits in that dump trailer like in your avatar? A friend of mine gave me a 12ft dump and I'm hoping to use it for very occasional hauling of my tractor in a similar fashion.
Completely unrelated but do you have any more pics of how well your machine fits in that dump trailer like in your avatar? A friend of mine gave me a 12ft dump and I'm hoping to use it for very occasional hauling of my tractor in a similar fashion.
4shorts
Elite Member
Here are some similar links:
