Sub Compact belly armor

[SI2305]

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]

It's been done for awhile.

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

 

[TripleR]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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".

 

[milkman]

Easy to do and no more broken fan since 2004.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/customization/40142-soft-underbelly.html

 

[SI2305]

zoomerii,

Does what you say mean that the brotek armor for a BX will also work for a JD2305? If so, this would be amazing as they apparently have the same mounting points and same curves underneath. I would love to hear how you got yours to work.

Thanks for your comments,

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]

JD 2305

Bro-Tek

http://www.electrichorizons.com/jd/Bro-Tek_JD-M-R-MMM_Skid Plate_instructionA.pdf

 

[foggy1111]

Seems there are vulnerable areas on different tractors.

On my old 790 the tie rod would often get hung up on stumps. I also had some grille guard problems. Timber and stumps are tough on stuff.

On my 3320....the grille guard Deere offers is only half a guard IMO. I made a plate to protect my radiator. Simple / effective. IMO Completes the job Deere shudda done.

The clearance is much improved with the 3320....so I don't get other damage now that my grill is protected. :thumbsup:

 

[SI2305]

Foggy1111,

How does your grill become a liability? You are right though, JD should offer packages to protect their tractors *and our investments) like tanks. Personally, I am thinking hard about the Bro-tek armor as this is what I had in mind only better--it actually adjusts to the various curves under the tractor. I was thinking of a single plate attached to the MMM links; it would protect the underside, be easy to install and not interfere with airflow. But I think Bro-Tek is on to something and just hope that in their attempt to cater to the Kubota market they don't forget about JD guys.

I can certainly understand where you additional clearance is a tremendous asset, but how doe your grill become a liability? JUst curious.

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

 

[Baby Grand]

Speaking for myself, the FEL brushguard worked more like a brushguide. As I was pushing a brush pile, one of the branches came over the bucket and got it's pointy end between the horizontal blades of the brushguide and punctured the plastic grill. Luckily, it hit the battery which kept it from going though the radiator. Apparently, it dislodged one of the battery tie rods, which I didn't notice. For the next few months I had a very annoying nickles & dimes in a coffee can sound that only happened at certain engine speeds and I couldn't locate.

Foggy's solution is really nice, industrial grade, and looks great. There may be some design cribbing in the near future ...

 

[radioman]

IMO, it depends on what you are doing or are you one of those worriers that have bad luck? I made my own skid plate , just using the existing holes in my subframe. I have a 120V welder, had old metal bed frame laying around and got a cheap cutoff sheet metal 2.5X3 for 15 bucks 1/4 thick from local metal supplier and put on together. piece of cake. You can do the same thing.

 

[foggy1111]

Timber is ruff on tractors. Protect 'em! In my post above I added to the JD guard on my current JD 3320. I don't understand why they protect two thirds of your grille and not the rest. If I can easily make a good gaurd to take care of the deficiency I cannot see why the JD engineer's cannot do so too. (see above)

Here is why I am adamant about protecting my grille. I upgraded this grille guard on my old JD 790 after this event. If you operate in timber....you have been warned!

 

[zoomerii]

zoomerii,

Does what you say mean that the brotek armor for a BX will also work for a JD2305? If so, this would be amazing as they apparently have the same mounting points and same curves underneath. I would love to hear how you got yours to work.

Thanks for your comments,

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

Sorry for the late response, but it looks like bp fick identified the part for the 2305 in post #12. I believe its' the same armor, but with different mounting provisions. Keep in mind that the BroTek has to be removed to use a Mid Mount Mower (I don't have one).