Custom built brush guard for DK 4710 SE

[Nb707]

Just thought I share this with my fellow kioti owners Like many have done in the past this is a brand new tractor and I use the grapple and Sure enough and even though I was very careful, And I never thought this would happen the dreaded tree branch went through my lower grill area. $95 to replace about two hours of labor to install and replace lesson learned. so I went off and build a brush guard. I am not a machinist, nor do I do fabricating of any kind for a living , I just took my time did some research on the Internet seen some examples and build this.
I think it came out looking great I painted it kioti charcoal gray.

 

[MF243RedTop]

Nice work!
The only thing I would've done differently is use a heavier expanded metal with larger diamond holes..
Mainly to let more illumination through from your lights. But should work good as is.

 

[rademamj1]

Very good job. Should provide that additional protection for your tractor. Job well done.

 

[Nb707]

Of course I thought of that but I have two spot beams lights on top of my tractor and two side lights so I have plenty of light without my headlights. Additionally I wanted to make sure virtually nothing would go through. So what I did is I doubled up on top. The Top Is 9 Gage Equivalent
tripled up on the bottom. The bottom is Equivalent to 6 gauge It’s heavy duty.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

My experience is the front OEM brush guard is so flimsy that it easily is bent into the hood. Three times I've had to pull my guard out so as to be able to open the hood. Inevitably, I bonk it making slash piles to burn. The front end of my tractor now looks like every other old utility tractor front end.

 

[MF243RedTop]

Of course I thought of that but I have two spot beams lights on top of my tractor and two side lights so I have plenty of light without my headlights. Additionally I wanted to make sure virtually nothing would go through. So what I did is I doubled up on top. The Top Is 9 Gage Equivalent
tripled up on the bottom. The bottom is Equivalent to 6 gauge It痴 heavy duty.

Excellent!
:thumbsup:

 

[rademamj1]

My experience is the front OEM brush guard is so flimsy that it easily is bent into the hood. Three times I've had to pull my guard out so as to be able to open the hood. Inevitably, I bonk it making slash piles to burn. The front end of my tractor now looks like every other old utility tractor front end.

Eric, Kioti must have heard you regarding the brush guard. They have completely redesigned the guard in late 2017, and increased thickness and strength of the metal guard and also the mounting bracket to the frame. I have run into trees, boulders and even one dumpster on my property and never damaged the guard or the hood.

A random tree limb however, can still get past the new OEM guard and damage the hood. Its why I like the OP's creative design for increased hood protection against those devilish tree limbs.

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Eric, Kioti must have heard you regarding the brush guard. They have completely redesigned the guard in late 2017, and increased thickness and strength of the metal guard and also the mounting bracket to the frame. I have run into trees, boulders and even one dumpster on my property and never damaged the guard or the hood.

A random tree limb however, can still get past the new OEM guard and damage the hood. Its why I like the OP's creative design for increased hood protection against those devilish tree limbs.

I need to go look at that new guard as I had planned on making inserts on my plasma table but decided not to because the whole guard on my machine is garbage.

 

[slckeys]

I really like that design.. Much better than what I was going to try. How is it attached to the brush guard or am I just blind and not seeing it..? Thanks

 

[grsthegreat]

thats weird. my 2010/2011 DK45 has a real beefy brush guard. i guess they cheeped out in later years

 

[rademamj1]

thats weird. my 2010/2011 DK45 has a real beefy brush guard. i guess they cheeped out in later years View attachment 678581

I think your 100% correct. Look at the OP's recent guard compared to Eric's guard. His is a much stronger design, and is more similar to your 2010 guard. It really does appear Kioti "cheeped out" for awhile on Brush Guard designs, and then returned back to strong designs

 

[Nb707]

I really like that design.. Much better than what I was going to try. How is it attached to the brush guard or am I just blind and not seeing it..? Thanks

There痴 two sections to these brush guards the bottom one is attached I welded to eye attachment which match up with the tractors brush guard the two top bolts. If that makes sense. On the side I did the same thing but I attached it to the side of the kioti guards
I drilled and then ran a tap. The top was the same way drilled and ran a tap into the kioti guard there痴 a video that I sort of followed it痴 online if you just Google kioti brush guard you tube
you値l find it it痴 one of the first ones that pop up I didn稚 follow him exactly but it was very very close.

 

[slckeys]

Thank you very much!

 

[rademamj1]

I will also comment and make an observation, that your brush guard design may provide a first line of defense at limiting grass and debris from blocking air flow around your radiator during mowing operations. Many times we see overheating issues due to air flow blockage of radiator while using rotary cutter.

I know it was not intended to block grass and debris from entering your radiator, but that may indeed be a major benefit.

 

[MF243RedTop]

I think your 100% correct. Look at the OP's recent guard compared to Eric's guard. His is a much stronger design, and is more similar to your 2010 guard. It really does appear Kioti "cheeped out" for awhile on Brush Guard designs, and then returned back to strong designs

Could also be the difference between a factory installed guard versus a dealer installed guard.

Since the brush guard is optional equipment, dealers could choose lesser quality guards or beefier upon installation for sale.

 

[comancheflight]

Wanted to see da grill but can't pull it up

 

[comancheflight]

I have an NX with same guard as Eric. First year had a huge stump fold it and luckily missed the hood. Repaired and reinforced it. Finally last week I added some expanded metal and repainted.

 

[coobie]

thats weird. my 2010/2011 DK45 has a real beefy brush guard. i guess they cheeped out in later years View attachment 678581

My 2012 brush guard is very sturdy.Of course I don't use my tractor like a bull dozer either.OP nice work on the brush guard..

 

[oosik]

Again - a very nice job on the brush guards. All three of you guys. I know that the young fellow that built up my OEM guard used the heaviest expanded metal he could find. It's worked well to deflect limbs, which are about my only concern. I don't deal in brush around here.