MF 1240 Grill Guard

[Syncro]

I needed a grill guard for my MF 1240 but was at a loss to find one, either factory made or after market /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif so I made one /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif. Thought I'd share this for those who may also want to protect their grill. Its made of 1 1/2" x 1/4" flat stock with the attaching base plate made of 2 1/2" x 3/8"

 

[Syncro]

Pic #2 primed and ready for paint. The paper next to it is the plan I drew up for it in autocad.

 

[Syncro]

Pic #3 installed

 

[JerryG]

There is a factory one available in whole goods, but yours sure does look better. The holes are too big on the factory guard. Good job.

 

[anthonyk]

what a great job!
I've been looking for one for my Century, but the only thing available from the dealer looks cheesy, and plain.
May have to steal your idea!

anthony

 

[Syncro]

Thanks, making it was fun. The problem I had was finding a secure mounting surface, as I sometimes bump my dump truck when loading it. The FEL bracket was the only strong enought place, as it is bolted directly to the tractor frame. I used three 9/16" hardend bolts through a 3/8" plate. Total cost was about $30. Good luck & have fun! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JerryG]

You can't get to your battery can you?

 

[Syncro]

Jerry- I have to remove the 3 bolts to access the front of the engine compartment, however I kept the grill guard mounting bracket flush with the loader support so I can remove the loader without disturbing the grill guard.
Its easier to take the loader off for service anyways, and the extra 3 bolts come off pretty quick for complete access.
I don't know why MF didn't have a grill guard as standard in the first place, tho I notice the 1400 series now does.

 

[JerryG]

They do have a grill guard for the the 1200 tractors. I had one on my MF 1250. Matter of a fact, I still have the grill guard even though I don't have the tractor now. The one for the 1400s pivot on a bolt on each side and have pins to allow you to access the battery. The 1200 guard attach's to the loader. Which I really didn't like, because it also came off with the loader. The one for the 1400 is attached to the front loader support or bumper like yours is, which is much better. It also now stays with the tractor. As crazy as it sounds, I have seen guards that people maked that were welded in place and to where you couldn't access the battery without cutting it off. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Nasty135]

Syncro, Nice job on the grill guard , also a clean looking tractor and storage space ... /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif