Skid Plate for an L-39

WALT · Oct 25, 2005

I am in the process of making a skid plate for the L-39 TLB.
I have drafted a rough sketch for now and will make a cardboard mock-up to see how close my measurements are.
While the underside of the L-39 has fewer soft spots than my BX2200, in this area plenty of rocks & sticks can still damage important tractor stuff.

If any of you have already fabricated one for your machine, please post the details.

Also the local steel/welding shop gave me the follwing prices on plain sheet steel: 3/16"= $8.00 sq. ft. 1/4"= $9.00 sq. ft. Those prices seem somewhat steep, whats the price of steel in your area?

Thanks:
WALT

RonR · Oct 25, 2005

I buy my steel at a surplus yard. You don't always get what you want there, but they stock a lot of smaller stock and it's about half of new price. Since I can stop there often, I can usually pick up what I need in 2-3 trips.

Buying new iron is not fun $$$$$$$$.

ron

jcollins · Oct 26, 2005

I don't know what pricing on what you are looking for but when we were pricing pipe for a pipe fence the pricing was only good for 3 days!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

JimMorrissey · Oct 26, 2005

Pricing on PVC pipe is only good for 24 hours in VT. Wish my paycheck mirrored inflation these days.

_RaT_ · Oct 27, 2005

<font color="blue"> Wish my paycheck mirrored inflation these days. </font>

Exactly one of the engines that helps drive inflation. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

JimMorrissey · Oct 27, 2005

I'm familiar with the economics of it all....False inflation from criminal manufacturers and insurance companies that use 9/11 and any natural disaster they can to raise prices is the problem. Now it's the "post Katrina aftermath" that's supposedly driving prices up. I paid $97 for 5 pieces of 3/4 pine (8x8 Grade B) recently.

Not a topic for this thread.....

SkyPup · Oct 28, 2005

Walt, I have not had time to get around to working on my L-39 skidplate, but it is on my list of things to do, maybe after hunting season is over this fall and the barn is nice and cool I'll get around to welding something together.

Will be most interested in your project though, as it is an important addition for my rig too. Steel is going to be real expensive, just have to pay the price.

MarkV · Oct 28, 2005

Walt,
Keep us up to date on your project please. I have also been looking at the skid plate idea for the L39 to add some protection. I work in wooded property often and there are several areas of the tractor that could use some extra armor. The hydraulics on the loader control side seems particularly vulnerable. I bent the step the first day out with mine. Have any of you considered what I would call “nerf bars” similar to the shape of the step on both sides of the tractor to deflect brush away for the rear tires and hydraulics? I have also thought about coming off of the grill guard with pipe to make a bumper of sorts as added protection for the steering components. Another thought has been to come off the top of the grill guard to the top of the front FOPS posts with something to defect branches. I think this is referred to as sweeps on a dozer equipped for the woods. There is an existing bracket on the FOPS that looks like you could bolt to with out having to do any welding on the FOPS.

Any other ideas for L39 armor?

Walt, I don’t think I answered any of your questions so I’ll just apologize for getting off subject. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

MarkV

SkyPup · Oct 28, 2005

The OEM Skid Plate on the John Deere 110 TLB is made out of 1/4" steel and weighs 150 pounds. Thought I'd toss that in as food for thought since the 110TLB is about the same size & weight as the L-39TLB.