JD 3005 full cage ROPS/FOPS build

[Rustyiron]

That's what I did. (build a grill guard) and stil had to "wiggle" them around the exhaust stack.
Your avatar pic made me reply here, I see the chain wrapped around the grill guard. The one I built has a 5x8 rectangular tube for it's "base" and on my tractor made a good attachment point. I left the ends open and it will hold bunch of chain. I also keep a good sized hammer in there also. Notice the lower "loops" for tractor tie down or pulling points. You may as well add a 2" reciever tube as well. This is the way my brain works, one thing leads to another?.:laughing:
Plastic pick up "bed liner" makes an excelent stick proof radiator guard over expanded metal for your grill guard. You just need to back it up with a little steel. I've never had a lack of air (engine cooling) issue with this set up.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I started on the grill guard. Began with an attempt to copy the mounting points of the original, and failed to get the bolt spacing right, so the bottom bolt holes resembles a rookie hack job.



Once they were mounted, I moved on to cutting some 2x2 box tube for the uprights.



As seen from the operator's seat, it allows the width clearance I need for the limb risers to not interfere with raising the hood.

 

[CCWKen]

Expanding foam is worthless as sound deadener. As is expanded foam like cushion seat foam. I've tried/tested several materials for a planishing hammer frame I built and expanding foam was the worst. Small pea gravel works better than that. And it won't do anything to abate rust. In fact, it will make it rust faster. Ask any body man about foam-filled fenders. And surprisingly, a loose fill works better than a concrete fill. If you want the best sound deadener, use unpacked sand. The next best is gravel. A thick coating of under-coat or bed liner spray will help but doesn't take the "ring" out as much as you would think.

 

[CCWKen]

Forgot to mention: A course sand works better than a fine sand. The Trick to deadening sound is allowing the fill to move.

 

[dieselcrawler]

As to sound issues, I doubt I will do anything more than try some innertube between the mounting points at the loader bracket. But thanks for the info, I will keep it in mind for other projects where additional weight isn't an issue.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Forgot to mention: A course sand works better than a fine sand. The Trick to deadening sound is allowing the fill to move.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Forgot to mention: A course sand works better than a fine sand. The Trick to deadening sound is allowing the fill to move.

Good to know. Thanks!

 

[dieselcrawler]

I got the grill guard tacked together.





Now I just need to cut the limb risers to fit, and cap the grill guard uprights.

 

[dieselcrawler]

Further investigation led me to the conclusion that I should design a way to bolt the limb risers to the top of the grill guard. The roof section needs to slide to the rear 3 to 4 inches to be removed, and if the limb risers and grill guard are welded together, there's no room for the grill guard to move to the rear.

Before I came inside tonight I got all the welds on the grill guard burned in, except for the top caps. Leaving that open until the limb risers attachment issue is resolved.

 

[gladehound]

I've been watching this thread and enjoying. Keep up the good work. I have been baffled with how to put limb risers without creating a condition that I don't like (i.e. interfere with hood raising, shadows from lights, vibration etc.). Interested to see your solution! I wish I had the metal fab skills that you have!