Loader Crud

don white · Jan 22, 2012

Darn just noticed the plastic grill on my B26 is busted. I have been doing a lot of brush work with the grapple and a stick must have gotten through. The radiator and battery are ok so I guess I am somewhat lucky. Seems like a bad place for plastic. That is one thing I really liked about the B20. It was a tank. I could walk across the hood on the B20 with no problem and the grill wasn't plastic.

I bet I am not gonna like the price to replace the grill.

creekbend · Jan 22, 2012

Just a thought? When you choose to replace it, why don't you check and see if there are after market replacements that are made of metal? I recall seeing a thread here on TBN not long ago, where a member fabricated one for his Kubota tractor. I don't recall the member, but you may find the thread in the SEARCH section. Good Luck.

powerstroke444e · Jan 22, 2012

Guess depends on your grapple but we have moved lot of trees and brush and been lucky enought that the grill is still on it but have lost/tore hydraulic line going to the backhoe. I bet the grill is cheaper than 2 buckets of super UDT.

robs660 · Jan 22, 2012

You just hit on why I am keeping my b20. Ok it is not in perfect shape but I could drop a tree cross the hood and walk away Scott free. I don't understand why there is any plastic on tractors, other then to make a cup holder. ;-)

ultrarunner · Jan 22, 2012

When I looked at the B26... there was only one reservation I had... and that was it was not armoured like the models it replaced...

The b20/21 were outstanding in this area...

At least the damage was limited to cosmetic...

JOHNTHOMAS · Jan 22, 2012

I had a B with metal grill which I bent/dented in with a limb. Is it better to crack plastic or dent metal?

dfkrug · Jan 22, 2012

JOHNTHOMAS said:
I had a B with metal grill which I bent/dented in with a limb. Is it better to crack plastic or dent metal?

Dent metal is my vote.

My B21 had the OEM 1/8" plate partial hood, and the previous owner
made a nice stainless steel hood protector to go over THAT. Of
course that was AFTER he sustained a dent in the hood, right where
the 1/8" plate transitions to the thinner stuff.

I just bought another JD plastic hood, and I even have the factory
steel hood protection sold to the previous owner of this rental tractor.