Grille Guard

[PHPaul]

The "grille guard" that came with the loader on my new B2650 is a joke. It might help if something fell straight down off the loader, but not much, and any sticks/twigs/brush would go through it at will. I learned my lesson on that with my old JD, and it's an expensive lesson to learn.

So I while I was in town this morning I bought a couple of sticks of 1/4" rod and a small sheet of expanded metal.

The rod was heated and bent to fit inside the framework of the guard and then the expanded metal was trimmed to fit the outline of the rod and tacked to the rod.

Then the rod-framed expanded metal was welded inside the guard frame.

All the fab is done, now just need to prime, mask and re-paint.

 

[davesl708]

Looks great. Maybe send it to Kubota's engineers and say "see how easy it is to get it right"

 

[AaronS]

Looks good. I just welded the expanded metal directly to the stock grill guard.

 

[PHPaul]

Aaron, That's what I did on the JD but the 'bota has so many angles and curves it would have been a huge PITA to get it right. The recessed approach went pretty smoothly.

 

[PHPaul]

Looks great. Maybe send it to Kubota's engineers and say "see how easy it is to get it right"

That thought occurred to me. The original design is pretty useless.

 

[ovrszd]

That though occurred to me. The original design is pretty useless.

Nice guard Paul.

Don't bother with the Kubota engineer thing. I once modified the FEL latch pins with the addition of a spring which holds the latch pin in place all the time. I sent an email to Kubota with pictures explaining the modification. I also explained that I wasn't looking for anything in return. Just thought they might want to adapt something similar. I got an immediate response. It was a stern warning that any modification to the FEL frame and/or it's latch mechanism would void my warranty if problems occurred........

 

[PHPaul]

I got an immediate response. It was a stern warning that any modification to the FEL frame and/or it's latch mechanism would void my warranty if problems occurred........

Not surprised. Stinkin' liability lawyers...

 

[MoKelly]

Nice guard Paul.

Don't bother with the Kubota engineer thing. I once modified the FEL latch pins with the addition of a spring which holds the latch pin in place all the time. I sent an email to Kubota with pictures explaining the modification. I also explained that I wasn't looking for anything in return. Just thought they might want to adapt something similar. I got an immediate response. It was a stern warning that any modification to the FEL frame and/or it's latch mechanism would void my warranty if problems occurred........

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Reminds me of the old saying --- "No good deed goes unpunished"!

MoKelly

 

[ovrszd]

Reminds me of the old saying --- "No good deed goes unpunished"!

MoKelly

And it seems that's getting worse.

 

[ovrszd]

Not surprised. Stinkin' liability lawyers...

Post some pics when you get her all painted up Paul!!!

 

[4570Man]

I need to build something similar. I have never personally learned that lesson, but several family members have.

 

[Thats Hot]

The "grille guard" that came with the loader on my new B2650 is a joke. It might help if something fell straight down off the loader, but not much, and any sticks/twigs/brush would go through it at will. I learned my lesson on that with my old JD, and it's an expensive lesson to learn.

So I while I was in town this morning I bought a couple of sticks of 1/4" rod and a small sheet of expanded metal.

The rod was heated and bent to fit inside the framework of the guard and then the expanded metal was trimmed to fit the outline of the rod and tacked to the rod.

Then the rod-framed expanded metal was welded inside the guard frame.

All the fab is done, now just need to prime, mask and re-paint.

I like that. I have a B2630 with out the Guard, but I have a press brake and I just need to lay out a guard and start bending..

 

[PHPaul]

Post some pics when you get her all painted up Paul!!!

Note to self: Krylon's Farm Implement Kubota Orange....ain't. Maybe for the older 'botas but the B2650 is noticeably more red.

Hafta do for now tho, I got stuff to do. I'll pick up a can of the Rustoleum Lobster Red and see it that comes closer as advertised.

 

[ovrszd]

Looks great Paul. Should give you some comfort in the brush.

 

[Billrog]

The brush guards look like great mods. ty for posting now I have another project.

 

[Billrog]

Rained yesterday so I made an effort to make a bush guard out of what was available. Not nearly as efficient as the ones posted but I'll incorporate expanded metal when I get some.

 

[PHPaul]

Looks good! 1/4" round stock?

Home Depot has 3/4" expanded metal in 2x2 sheets, that's what I used.

Normally, I wouldn't buy steel from a hardware store as the per pound price is just insane. However, the nearest real steel supplier is a 100 mile round trip and I don't currently need anything else, so the extra "boutique" charge for the little piece was worth it.