mikehaugen
Elite Member
Now this isn't the most exciting or complex project on here, but though some people would like to see it. I don't usually think to take pictures while I am doing stuff but figured I would try it this time. Sorry if it isn't very complete.
My tractor with wide turfs doesn't cut it in the snow. I really need chains, but for now I figured I would do this since it cost me nothing but electricity and a couple welding rods. The material was all old parts and scraps from work that were getting tossed. My goal was to keep the weight out of the way of anything I might need to get at, and minimize ground clearance loss, so I decided to mount some plates under the tractor.
This is one of the plates. It weighs 202#, is made out of 2"x8" and is about 27" long. The plate welded on top is 1-1/2" thick. These were originally machine pads that were never used.
This is the view from the rear, for the brackets I used 2 1/2" x 3/8" flat stock. I used an existing threaded hole in the rear drawbar hanger.
Here is how the front attaches, it mounts to an unused hole that hangs below the loader bracket.
I used 1" schedule 80 pipe between the plates to hold them together, this is how it looks underneath. It doesn't block anything from moving, and also gives me access to the drain plug.
This is the whole thing together off the tractor, flipped upside down to finish a couple welds that I couldn't get to. Now it just needs paint!
You will have to excuse some of the welds, many were done in place as this thing got heavier I got less ambitious about handling it and welded things where they were. The pipes were probably the toughest welds since I was welding relatively thin metal to very thick metal, all while trying to go in a vertical circle. Some of the welds I was able to tack in place then drag it out to finish the welds. There was lot of raising/lowering with the floor jack and repositioning.
Like I said, probably not the most exciting thing on here but it was fun to build. I estimate with brackets and everything it weighs around 420#... not a lot and probably not enough to make a difference, but for free I guess I'll give it a try. If nothing else I probably have the worlds thickest skid plates! :laughing:
My tractor with wide turfs doesn't cut it in the snow. I really need chains, but for now I figured I would do this since it cost me nothing but electricity and a couple welding rods. The material was all old parts and scraps from work that were getting tossed. My goal was to keep the weight out of the way of anything I might need to get at, and minimize ground clearance loss, so I decided to mount some plates under the tractor.
This is one of the plates. It weighs 202#, is made out of 2"x8" and is about 27" long. The plate welded on top is 1-1/2" thick. These were originally machine pads that were never used.
This is the view from the rear, for the brackets I used 2 1/2" x 3/8" flat stock. I used an existing threaded hole in the rear drawbar hanger.
Here is how the front attaches, it mounts to an unused hole that hangs below the loader bracket.
I used 1" schedule 80 pipe between the plates to hold them together, this is how it looks underneath. It doesn't block anything from moving, and also gives me access to the drain plug.
This is the whole thing together off the tractor, flipped upside down to finish a couple welds that I couldn't get to. Now it just needs paint!
You will have to excuse some of the welds, many were done in place as this thing got heavier I got less ambitious about handling it and welded things where they were. The pipes were probably the toughest welds since I was welding relatively thin metal to very thick metal, all while trying to go in a vertical circle. Some of the welds I was able to tack in place then drag it out to finish the welds. There was lot of raising/lowering with the floor jack and repositioning.
Like I said, probably not the most exciting thing on here but it was fun to build. I estimate with brackets and everything it weighs around 420#... not a lot and probably not enough to make a difference, but for free I guess I'll give it a try. If nothing else I probably have the worlds thickest skid plates! :laughing:
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