BXpanded underarmour VS Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons skid plate

[andrewmichel]

BXpanded underarmour VS Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons skid plate (http://bxpanded.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=60 & Bro-Tek: Tractor Add Ons )

I am wondering what you guys think about these two products? Which is better? Which keeps the HST Cooler? Pros, cons?

This is my first tractor and with under 35hours on it i already broke the HST Fan, I need to do somthing but my dealership is saying putting a skid plate on may void my HST Warranty.

Please offer some advice!

 

[lamanated]

broteck in in New Brunswick, order today and 2 days later its there. I built my own, using steel from an oil tank and a vice and 2 pieces of 2 in angle iron to make a metal brake with.. 12x27 with 2 bands, I posted on it.

 

[vanb]

I have the Bxpanded skid plate on my 2006 bx2350. I like it because I can take it off in a few minutes. I use it for dirt FEL work and when I'm brush hogging. As for engine temp, it's way higher just using my 60" mowing deck than it has ever gotten while brush hogging in 3' weeds for hours in 90 degree heat. I didn't want/ need a full time skid plate when just cutting my 3 acers of lawn. Other people may want a full time skid plate, but Bxpanded has been great for me.

 

[dragoneggs]

I went with the BroTek. Got both the rear and mid plate. Works well. Don't need to completely remove them for tranny filter change. Just unbolt the rear two fasteners on the mid plate and it swings down and then unbolt the rear bolts of the rear plate and loosen the U bolts. Both plates will rotate down for maintenance. See also this thread on the BroTek.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/217401-bro-tek-skid-plates.html

 

[RaydaKub]

This is my first tractor and with under 35hours on it i already broke the HST Fan, I need to do somthing but my dealership is saying putting a skid plate on may void my HST Warranty.

So...operating with a plate that only (very) partially restricts any air flow would void the warranty, but operating without a skid plate and without a fan would NOT void it? Sounds to me like somebody wants more of your business. A lot more. As many fans as he can sell you... In just looking at them both, the pictures lead me to believe that the BXpanded would restrict it more than Bro-Tek, but I doubt that either one would cause ventilation problems.

 

[andrewmichel]

thanks guys!

 

[Shett]

I'm no rocket surgeon but I'll give my opinion. I have the BXpanded plate and there is enough room around the fan that you could seal that sucker to the frame and it wouldn't cause much of a ventilation issue. The tractor isn't built like an aircraft with tight tolerances and specific air pathways. I went with the BXpanded plate because it covers more for the money, is easy to put on and take off after the initial set up, and offers great peace of mind. The bro-tek looks a bit thicker and I've read where people have parked their tractor on a tree stump sitting under the plate with no issues, but I didn't feel it was necessary for me. All I need it for is to deflect the occasional stick that wants to rip my fan blades off and it does a good job there.