Rk55 forestry hardening

[agjones]

Hi all

Recently got my new rk55 home and I am planning on doing some low grade hardening to prevent damage when I work in tight places mostly in the woods or field margins.

Other than removing the turn signals and mirrors before they get ripped off the hard way... Anyone got ideas of vulnerable areas that need protecting? Or good mount points for protection?

I'll use this thread to post mods.
Thx

 

[digdirty]

The one thing I would do since you have a grapple, is to reinforce the brush guard on the tractor with expanded metal to keep those "OOPS" from punching holes in the grill! Yes I found out too late and didn't see it coming. ( A stick sticking straight out of the bank I was dropping a load of brush over).

 

[fried1765]

Hi all

Recently got my new rk55 home and I am planning on doing some low grade hardening to prevent damage when I work in tight places mostly in the woods or field margins.

Other than removing the turn signals and mirrors before they get ripped off the hard way... Anyone got ideas of vulnerable areas that need protecting? Or good mount points for protection?

I'll use this thread to post mods.
Thx


View attachment 683507

Tongue weight a bit too much for that truck?

 

[Peter 315]

Tongue weight a bit too much for that truck?

Looks good from here..

 

[agjones]

Hey guys thx for the input, we're working on the grill guard for sure. I've speared a bunch of radiators over the years!

Re: tongue weight maybe a little that's what I pulled into the retired weigh station to check. F250s are a bit infamous for that sag look. Felt OK. That was the first load. Found a little better position for the hitch and ball (both adjustable). Beyond safe, I wasn't willing to fiddle too much since a weight distribution setup is en route.

The service body creates a bit of an illusion.

Feedback always welcome.
Cheers

 

[Btown]

Tongue weight a bit too much for that truck?

Ford’s tend to sit low in the back with a load. They drop a little more than others. I’m sure it was fine.

 

[RustyT]

Lol my first reaction to the pic was F250 normal for a Ford. Used to drive me nuts on construction sites

 

[Ford850]

That small wheel well on the service body and the camera angle really exaggerate the sag. I agree with the idea of a full grill guard. I'd also take a closer look from below, to spot any wires or hoses that could use some shielding or tie-ups.

 

[fried1765]

That small wheel well on the service body and the camera angle really exaggerate the sag. I agree with the idea of a full grill guard. I'd also take a closer look from below, to spot any wires or hoses that could use some shielding or tie-ups.

A set of "Airlift" bags would work wonders for that truck!

 

[agjones]

A set of "Airlift" bags would work wonders for that truck!

Thx gang! We're considering bagging the rear of the truck. The service body definitely lends to the illusion... It rides and handles well... Even though it looks out of trim all the time.

On the tractor here's what I'm doing...will post pics.

-Skid plate mounted below to protect the loader hydraulics and the filters.

-Shin guards for the steering cylinder/rod ends

-Remove the mirrors, front turn signals

-moving the windshield washer fluid inside the cab, I mean wth... Its current placement is clearly an afterthought.

Still looking for a solution to protect the plastic cab top and glass corners.

 

[oosik]

AFTER reading several posts on TBN and BEFORE I got my grapple. This is my OEM grill guard now.

 

[agjones]

That looks like a good solution.

I think we're going to do something for the back of the grapple and a different something for the grill guard... Might just add mesh to the existing one.

A forum member posted that he's selling a solution too, even tho I barked at them for pretending to 'find' and recommend a product... I'd consider buying a well fabbed grill (more importantly rad/cooler) guard.

 

[XxLT250RxX]

It's been 6 months. Any updates?

 

[agjones]

It's been 6 months. Any updates?

Lol. Check the dates... It's been longer.

I put some expanded metal to back the grapple.

And we made a simple guard for the filters under the cab.

Those extra hydraulic ports allow me to use the loader control for the top/tilt cylinders on the rear.