If fabricating myself, I might be inclined to try to make it in two sections so that the upper portion could easily be removed to clear the lights, but there would be no reason to remove the lower (or upper, if not needing lights) -- seems protection wouldn't hurt with loader bucket, pallet forks, etc. One good answer might be found in a video I recently watched where the guy was talking about finessing tractor work, and not bullying with a tractor. That alone could help protect your front end. He likened it to billiards.
Being able to easily remove an upper section is a good idea. Might work on one next year since I just bought a post/tree puller for the quick attach that may also be a reason to have some protection in this area. Was going to buy a grapple but the multiple month wait allowed me to evaluate other implements I could get in a much quicker time period. Maybe next year the grapple market will cool down.
It does make it rigid, and the thiiick DOM tubing we use also does. Since it is on the lid, it'll be used for raking in reverse, and the lower tines still have DOM tubing for structural support. The Hardox channel Wickeder lid is featured on our Wicked 55 and Wicked 60 models.
Thanks for the info, Ted. And not to give you a hard time, but why would you replace DOM with Hardox channel on 55 and 60 but not the 66? I know the DOM is super-thick, but it was that way on the 55 and 60, too, and your video said that the channel was 3x stronger than the DOM. Don't deprive us who need the 66!
