Skid plate for GC series tractors

cglaser104 · Oct 21, 2019

Plastic isn't a bad idea. I just did an install job for a winch and plow to a friend's Yamaha ATV and it uses end to end skid plates made of plastics. The only real issue I see there is the weight of a tractor is unforgiving and the plastic plate would take all the force. This would be especially concerning when doing something like brush hogging. I've read a few threads where a rogue stick jams a radiator and ruptures it which is tougher stuff than plastic.

irvingj · Oct 22, 2019

If you're considering plastic(s)... consider UHMWPE -- ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. That stuff is amazingly tough, and is often used for snowplow scraper blades. I used it to line the impeller cavity and chute on my snowblower, where it made an amazing difference. It can be ordered in sheets of desired thickness (I used 1/8" for my project), and can be shaped by using a high-heat gun or even a small torch. Heat up just below melting, bend, let cool.

That material, plus perhaps some metal stiffeners here & there, might just work!

MF RED in MT · Oct 22, 2019

irvingj said:
If you're considering plastic(s)... consider UHMWPE -- ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. That stuff is amazingly tough, and is often used for snowplow scraper blades. I used it to line the impeller cavity and chute on my snowblower, where it made an amazing difference. It can be ordered in sheets of desired thickness (I used 1/8" for my project), and can be shaped by using a high-heat gun or even a small torch. Heat up just below melting, bend, let cool.

That material, plus perhaps some metal stiffeners here & there, might just work!

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Nice job lining your discharge chute, I still have the UHMW pieces saved in an online basket, just have not put that project at the top of the list yet.

KC

Imold · Oct 22, 2019

irvingj said:
If you're considering plastic(s)... consider UHMWPE -- ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. That stuff is amazingly tough, and is often used for snowplow scraper blades. I used it to line the impeller cavity and chute on my snowblower, where it made an amazing difference. It can be ordered in sheets of desired thickness (I used 1/8" for my project), and can be shaped by using a high-heat gun or even a small torch. Heat up just below melting, bend, let cool.

That material, plus perhaps some metal stiffeners here & there, might just work!

View attachment 625618 View attachment 625619

Looks like it is a tuff plastic, is it spendy? I would think a rosebud could be used to heat it up and bend it how you want it then cut slits in it where the MMM lift arms line up and make a metal tab bracket and bolt it to the plastic, I have a pic in my head how I would do it and I believe it would work but as far as now goes I am going to use iron this first time around.

Thanks for the heads up on the UHMWPE.

Imold · Oct 22, 2019

Another crappy day here in west central Mn so I did not get anything done as far as the plate goes, will see what tomorrow brings.

CBCGC1715 · Oct 22, 2019

I work at a metal fabrication shop skid plates are or something that I always wanted to do for my gc1715. So maybe in the next few weeks I can dig into it and fabricate something up get a laser cut out and if people are interested enough make a few sets.

I have the capabilities of laser cutting machining forming welding so we'll see where this takes me.

If I develop anything I want a skid plate that goes all the way from the front axle that protects all the vitals much like aftermarket Jeep Wrangler skid plates. Does the spark interest?

cglaser104 · Oct 22, 2019

CBCGC1715 said:
I work at a metal fabrication shop skid plates are or something that I always wanted to do for my gc1715. So maybe in the next few weeks I can dig into it and fabricate something up get a laser cut out and if people are interested enough make a few sets.

I have the capabilities of laser cutting machining forming welding so we'll see where this takes me.

If I develop anything I want a skid plate that goes all the way from the front axle that protects all the vitals much like aftermarket Jeep Wrangler skid plates. Does the spark interest?

I agree... My biggest concern up front is the steering system and those boots/seals. Then you have hoses and wiring in the middle and hydrostat fan and filters towards the back. Important stuff all along the underbody.

shovelmike · Oct 23, 2019

Thanks, irvingj, that looks like a good solution to the issue. I did a search for it, it's not cheap, but the saying goes "Good isn't cheap and cheap isn't good."
It should last many years .

GeneV · Oct 23, 2019

Langanobob said:
Sorry for the delay. It's pretty simple and I remove it in the winter to hook up the front driveshaft for a snowblower. Have to also remove it for changing the filter but it's only 4 bolts. I made it out of a scrap of steel of unknown parentage that I had laying around. Lots of big rocks around here and it held up real well. I bent it by heating the bends with a rosebud torch until it bent fairly easily. I don't use a mower. The skid plate cuts down the ground clearance under the rear differential by maybe an inch and so far hasn't been an issue.

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Yeh cool, looks legit and easy to fab.

GeneV · Oct 23, 2019

Imold said:
You got it, just like a deck, it has been a crappy day here with high winds and rain so I did not get to town but my wheels showed up for my MMM dolly and again to crappy outside to open the garage/shop door and lift the mower deck up to fit the axles, the wind and rain are blowing right at the door.

View attachment 625541

Sweet.