Skid plate fo L4610

[richh]

Well heres photos of the finshed product. Now I won't be quite so concerned when I go into the woods. All those hyd. lines and that BIG HST FILTER, it just won't do to put a stick in to one!
Rich

 

[richh]

other side

 

[richh]

And heres the bottom. I though that I only needed the 2 holes to drain the oil but after looking at the manule the 2nd time I think Im 2 short, the rear final drives on both sides under the axles. So at 50 hrs. Ill have to drill 2 more holes. I tryed to do this so you don't have to take it off to do service, oh well only one more time! This thing is heavy 1/4" plate, not something you want to do every oil change.
Rich

 

[gordon]

Now your cooking with crisco!! Nice job I must say.

I remember when I was building the skid plate for my L3750 I thought I never finish that simple plate to my liking. It took a couple of revamps to get it halfway decent and it has held up well over time. On mine I've got plate cut outs and access panels that bolt onto the plate. I tack welded nuts on the topside of the plate thru the holes to bolt on the access plates.

One thing you might consider doing on your plate where your access holes are cut is to run either angle iron or channel iron down either side of those pipes so they aren't the lowest spots on the plate and at the ends cut them up on an angle like a sled runner I guess is what I'm getting at. This would help avoid the sudden stop of--hung on a stump if you know what I mean. Reason I say this The bolt heads on my plate caused alitte hang up but I ran two pieces of angle iron down the plate and it helped alot. I know thats the last thing you want to hear after all the hours you already put in on the plate, but been there done that so to speak. Great job Rich /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Something else Rich that you have done is also make the tractor more stable by putting all that added weight down low its a center of gravity thing. I noticed that after I had installed my plate my tractor seemed more stable. Maybe it was just me but it surely offset the added weight of my cab.
Gordon

 

[richh]

Thanks Gordon, That prety much what i did with the panles on the side 4 nuts and i can change the filters. I welded the rings of pipe around the holes to deflect sticks, but i like your idea on the angle iron. One thing thats hard to belive is how long it took to make this thing!!working down under is s l o w . here's another pit.. of the 4in1 for ya.
Rich

 

[gordon]

Rich, your not happy unless you have my mouth watering do you--not only do you have the mac daddy tires you've got the bucket to go along with it and the spike addons. What a great Idea! Now you need to post a pic with the skidding winch to make it complete./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I can relate to the time it took to do the plate but the downtime it will save you will more than pay off in the long run. Before I put the plate under the L-3750 I had a few bad things happen that all could have been avoided by having the skid plate on beforehand. Live and learn!
Gordon

 

[_RaT_]

Nice job Rich, I notice your using as stick welder or innershield. Ever try a MIG welder? They are so nice, although when its a pile of dirty steel, be it rust, concrete, or paint, its still tough to beat a stick welder with some 6010 rod. I'm still considering the 4610 HST and perhaps a Bobcat 4N1 bucket. Drawback to Bobcats bucket is its so heavy duty it weighs so stinkin much. How do you like the HST over your "old GST"? Rat...

 

[MChalkley]

Rich - Nice job! I've been thinking about putting a skid plate on my L4310. I probably won't do the sides, though.

Don't forget to answer Rat's question about HST vs. GST. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

MarkC

 

[_RaT_]

Re: Skid plate for L4610 & Amsoil

I'm pretty sure of Rich's answer Mark, regarding HST vs GST perhaps I'm trying to raise a little trouble here since he did practically ignore your advice towards HST. I'm sure he's very much happy with the hydrostatic drive. Rich has built himself quite the tractor, I want it! By the way Mark, changed over to Amsoil the other day. Noticed one thing right off the bat in my truck, after changing the engine oil to Amsoil 15W40, my oil pressure dropped slightly. Can't say how much psi drop, but it went from the "a" in normal to the "m" in normal. I am considering this to be a good thing. Also changed to 75W140 gear oil and ATF from Amsoil. Next, synthetic hydro for the old Kubota, many gallons of the stuff. All this because I thought I'd give your 2 cents a try (actually you have probably thrown in more then 2 cents worth), take care, Rat...

 

[MChalkley]

Re: Skid plate for L4610 & Amsoil

Rat - I think you'll be happy with the Amsoil. When you say you switched to 15W40, are you talking about the tractor? What was in it before?

Mark