Skid Plate??

[arizona98tj]

I built the skid plate for my Massey Ferguson 1529 using 1/4" thick 6061 aluminum. Yes, I know it sounds too thin and it isn't steel. It took the 4x4 folks a number of years before they finally realized they didn't need to drag steel skid plates on and over the rock washes in the desert Southwest. I ran aluminum skid plates on my engine, tranny, and gas tank for years and it handled everything I could throw at it. The competition vehicles we used were equipped the same way and the only difference was that we beat the snot out of them compared to a non-comp vehicle, and we never had a skid plate induced failure.

Here is my 4K pound Jeep sitting on the 1/4" 6061 aluminum gas tank skid.....and that was the easy part of the rock wash. And for what it is worth, I also ran an aluminum steering (tie rod & drag link) and aluminum suspension (except for the the steel coil spring).

 

[Stonehaller]

Guess this could be submitted as an example of a area-specific protection plate...

Here's my "area-specific protection plate". I just called it a guard.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/155494-l39-filter-guard-right-side.html?highlight=guard

 

[docsfarm]

Thanks for all the information everyone! I definitely think this will be a winter project of mine!!

 

[VroomVroom]

Hello, I have two questions. First, how do I make a new post? I can reply to post but not create a new one.

And second, I was thinking of somehow running a cable permanently through the skid plate where I can hook onto the rear draw bar to pull the tractor forward if I ever got stuck. I'm nervous pulling anywhere else as I don't know how much the center castings would stand pulling. I've seen YouTube videos of tractors being pulled in half. Where does everyone pull their tractor from if stuck?

 

[John_Mc]

Generally, I'll back out of where I'm stuck, using the bucket uncurl on the loader to give me a little push if needed. On the two occasions where I needed help to go forward to get out, I just hooked a chain to the grab hooks on my loader and pulled from there. If I had no loader, and neaded to pull out forward, I'd just find something solid on the front end of the tractor to attach to. I can't imagine pulling the tractor in two - unless the rear end was chained to a stump or something, and even then I figure it would need some serious grunt by whatever is doing the pulling,

 

[VroomVroom]

Thanks john. No doubt it would be a grunt. I never did get a pic of the finished skid plate. Although I still may make some changes. Good to know about pulling points.

 

[Rustyiron]

It's been a while since I've looked at that post, not real descriptive or helpful. I need to drop the plate and clean out the junk that accumulates in there and try to do a little better explanation along with some more pics if you like. I really only had 3 places to locate a "crossmember" and used 3/8" X 2" bars running parallel with the tractor in between these 3 x-members.

Did an oil change today and dropped all 3 pans to clean them out. You can see the framework that supports the 1/4" "pan" along with the scars from some nasty rocks.

 

[Oldpath05]

"First, how do I make a new post? I can reply to post but not create a new one. "<<<Go to the top of this page, click on General Forums, then on that page, pick a title/category click on your choice, then at the (near top left) of that page there should be a something like>>Thread Starter click on that and that should take you to the land of OZ............I think that's what your question is.