Impaled - Need Protection Need Brush Guard

[txdon]

Spent this morning hammering out my impaled grill. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif A branch pushed the grill up against the battery. I now know I need to either modify the existing bumper/brush guard or buy another. In the attachment you can see the front of the tractor (before) and the bumper/brush guard which is also used to hold added weights. Any Ideas? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thanks!
TXDon

 

[OkieG]

Don,
Seems like most all OEM "grille guards" from all manufacturers are similar to yours. That is, a nice heavy duty, good looking frame with plenty of room for a log to go through and break the grille!! Expanded metal is one way to finish the job that Kubota started.

By the way, there are a few grille guard threads in the TBN archives that might provide some ideas.

Here is a picture of mine. When I'm pushing brush, if some of it threatens the grille guard, I don't even hesitate to keep on pushing. So far nothing damaging has made it through the expanded metal.

OkieG

 

[JerryG]

Like OkieG said the best way to fix it is with expanded metal. Start in the center of your top bar and take it to the bottom, near where it is bolted on.

 

[Boondox]

I had the same problem and solved it the same way. Took the grill guard off, had some expanded metal welded onto it (this in the days before I had a welder), ground down the sharp edges and painted it to match Clementine. Remounted the guard and went back to work. Figured the paint would rust thru, but it's been a couple of years and except for some brush scrapes it looks good as new.

Pete

 

[Deerlope]

Expanded metal is good but very light weight. I have the exact same grill guard as you do and what I did was I went to a gravel company where they mine and screen gravel and got a piece of crusher screen, much heavyer. It has 1/2 square holes. I welded tabs on the guard and bolted the screen to it just in case I ever wanted to remove it. The tabs are in 6 different places. All painted orange it looks like a standard Kubota part.
When the screens at a mining company get holes in them they usually just junk them rather than do repairs. They would probably give you one.

 

[OkieG]

Don,

Jeff (Loges 1) did a great job with expanded metal on his kubota. His thread is <font color="orange">Grille Guard</font> .

His grill guard looks similar to yours. Jeff opted not to weld expanded metal over the headlights, but, I don't think the light beams are adversely affected by having expanded metal in front of them. Easy enough to check out before welding, and it would protect the headlights.

OkieG

 

[5030]

Don:

The only problem with welding expanded metal on the brush guard is the it will preclude hanging any suitcase weights on the guard. Kubota weights hang on the lower bar.

I whacked mine on a stump. I took it off, cut the lower bar out and welded a "C" channel in place of the lower bar. I try to watch when I lift anything, the swing, so it doesn't hit the grille or guard.

 

[Deerlope]

The brush guard that I put on covers my headlights but it does not affect the amount of light that goes through them. It works well.

 

[OkieG]

Fred,
Can you post a picture of your grille guard? I'd like to see how you used the gravel screen material.

OkieG

 

[Deerlope]

Yes I can do a pic. Its getting dark but the flash should do the trick. I'll go now and get the pic.