Sub Compact belly armor

SI2305 · May 4, 2012

Hi all,

OK, this might sound like an odd request, but it is a personal one for me so I will get right to the point. For all you sub compact owners out there (and even a few CUT) owners, how many of you regularly use your tractor w/o a MMM? My real question is how many of you would purchase belly armor to protect the undercarriage (think tranny fan and oil filter)? Personally, I would jump at the chance as this is the single most vulnerable part of SCUT's. I would think that making a piece of metal designed to hook onto the MMM points (assuming there is no MMM) would be simple, easy, cheap, and for a manufacturer, an easy profit maker.

Please tell me what you think,

SI2305

JD 2305
200CX, LX4, 60" Grader blade, 60" LandPride finish mower that replaced our old lawn mower, middlebuster, home made grass rake for long field grass collection, and now a specialized trailer to move heavy logs

bp fick · May 4, 2012

It's been done for awhile.

BroTek and BXpanded to name a couple of folks making them.

TripleR · May 4, 2012

I have Bro Tek on our BX2660, but none on the John Deere 2305 as the MMM remains on and is only used for mowing.

Groo · May 4, 2012

the only potentially vulnerable thing on the underside of the CUT I use would be poorly routed hydraulic lines. Even using it for years logging, that hasn't been an issue. But I can see how that might not be the case with a SCUT. Another benefit to a belly pan will be to lower the CG to make it less tipsy.

XSKIER · May 4, 2012

I think this is a highly controversial subject. Look at the BX, there are two companies that provide a skid plate solution. Now look at the 2305, GC, baby Boomers, SC, and other SCUTs. There are no easily attainable skid plate solutions. I have to wonder if Kubota owners see their BXs as more able to do the "dirty" work than the rest of SCUTs. Take triple R or LBrown, they both own multiple SCUTs, but only go into "the deep" with the BX. I really feel that all other SCUT brand owners don't really demand belly protection enough to warrant a new segment of aftermarket parts. About the only one I could ever see making them would likely be the manufacturer of Artillian pallet forks. Even then I think the market would be to small to justify the R&D costs.

Baby Grand · May 4, 2012

I seem to remember some HST Fan threads from the "BX Special Fan Club" members. My L's hyd filter is sort of got it's arse hanging out there in the breeze. After managing to skewer my grill with a stick (luckily not the radiator) I'd consider looking at protection for the soft orange underbelly - or maybe make my own, so I can haul some of the wood that's still lying around from last year's storms. If we ever get some snow.

Gods Country · May 4, 2012

I would consider it.

My scut spends a good amount of time on trails, clearing brush, and minor logging. I do worry about the hydro filter. At first It appeared to be very vulnerable, but it is situated behind the rear tires enough that the rear tires raise clearing the filter. So unless I drop down on top of something or run directly into a rock or stump it's pretty safe. I'm careful in unfamiliar territory.

zoomerii · May 4, 2012

XSKIER said:
I think this is a highly controversial subject. Look at the BX, there are two companies that provide a skid plate solution. Now look at the 2305, GC, baby Boomers, SC, and other SCUTs. There are no easily attainable skid plate solutions. I have to wonder if Kubota owners see their BXs as more able to do the "dirty" work than the rest of SCUTs. Take triple R or LBrown, they both own multiple SCUTs, but only go into "the deep" with the BX. I really feel that all other SCUT brand owners don't really demand belly protection enough to warrant a new segment of aftermarket parts. About the only one I could ever see making them would likely be the manufacturer of Artillian pallet forks. Even then I think the market would be to small to justify the R&D costs.

Not sure what you mean by not easily attainable for the 2305. I have a BroTek mounted on mine since I've been doing a lot of work in the woods.

dfkrug · May 4, 2012

You know, making a skid plate is one of the easiest projects you
could undertake. One of them I made (for a Bobcat CT230) used
a leftover bottom plate from a cut-up loader bkt. They don't have
to be pretty, and all tractors I have had provide numerous spare
holes to mount to.

Many tractors have vulnerable underpinnings. I don't understand
why some of them sport long hyd filters that hang down so far,
saying, "hit me".