Grille Guard Or Not

[robertm]

Well, I guess the question is... To guard a grille, or not.
My dealer has tried to talk me out of a grille guard for my new B7500, but I'm not so sure. Although the loader adds a nice tubular bumber in front, I think I'd like a little added protection.
What has experience taught all of you? Is it worth $90 to add the guard? I hate to find out the hard way. Your thoughts would help. Thank you.

 

[Kodiak]

The first time you lift soemthing with a chain from the FEL and it swings back into th grill or hood. The $90.00 for the grill guard eill seem cheap.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

If you can't build a superior guard yourself, and get it on before you use the machine, buy the thing.
Grill guards were invented for a lot of good reasons, like pulling up to truck beds, and swinging loads, and "aw crap I knew I shouldn't a done that" along with "it ain't my tractor, why shold I care".

 

[jhburke]

I have a B7500 and I have a grill guard on it. It is nice that you have something to ease against other than the grill or hood of the tractor. Plus I have a counter weight hanging from it. I made the weight and it weights 55 lb.

 

[rdln]

Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard GrilGrille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Grille Guard Cow Catcher!

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Awwwww Sh*&%^$#@! The heck with the grille guard cow catcher, now I need to find a screen for my B7500's air filter intake! Both of neighbor's John Deere's keep getting caught in my air cleaner!

 

[rdln]

Next time as they are running circles around you, do not suddenly drive forward!

 

[tdenny]

Get the grill guard. The extra protection is nice but I think it looks really cool. /w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif

 

[wichiwichi]

Go to the cusomization and look at "brush guard that works" . Has save me many times.

 

[nicklan]

Robertm,
Grill guards fall in to the "rather have one and not need it, than to need it and not have one" category. There are a few other "tools" that fall into this area also.
Nick

 

[robertm]

Isn't that the truth! I have a buddy who agreed to make me one out of stainless steel for about $50. That wll be about half the cost of one from the factory... and no repainting when it gets nicked. Now I just wonder if expanded mesh across the front would help. The "brush guard that works" on this site sure looks appealing. Maybe stainless will not compliment my B7500 as one colored Kubota orange or grey woud. Wait! A guard is for protection, not show...right?

 

[centex]

I have a grill guard that came with my FEL but somehow I still managed to dent the grill, break the plastic at the top and loose the grill emblem. I wish I had a better grill guard because I know it would have cost a lot less than JD would want for a new grill. On the other hand other than appearance there is not much behind my grill that it protects - just a lot of empty space between it and the radiator so I will not fix it. For $90 I would get the guard though if I were you.

 

[billfires]

robertm, I have a NH 1920 and can load a C70 Chevy dump without worrying about a grille guard ( the front bumper hits the tire on the dump and the dump body is higher than the hood) but when I load an F-350 dump I have to be careful as the hood will hit the dump body before the tractor bumper hits the tire.

Bill C

 

[frank_f15]

get the guard! u are spending a lot of money anyhow so an extra $90 should not make that much difference, it is worth it with just one little mishap u will spend more than that./w3tcompact/icons/eyes.gif

 

[Anonymous Poster]

KIND OF LIKE A LOT PEOPLE WHO BUY A SUV'S. GUARDS ALL OVER THE PLACE BUT THEY NEVER LEAVE THE BLACKTOP. (PARKING ON THE GRASS WHEN GOING TO A PARTY COUNTS AS OFF-ROADING).
IF YOU LIFT THINGS WITH THE LOADER THAT CAN SWING - GOOD PROTECTION. IF YOU ONLY LOAD DIRT - USE THE MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE.