XTRA ARMOR?

JMAC · May 13, 2003

I just got a 4310 and have been doing a lot of FEL work with putting brush on brush piles and in doing so I have already bent the front black grill. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I am thinking about adding the XTRA ARMOR package and my question is to the ones that have it, does it do a good job of protecting the front? Is it a pain to get into the hood? Do you wish you didn't have it? Would you buy it again? It seems to be kinda high in price so need some help in my decision making.
For anyone considering a 4n1 bucket, my opinion is get it, it is great you can do so much more with it you can pick up stumps, brush, pull broken tree top out, carry logs, open the clam and use as a front blade, on and on.

JMAC

rancar · May 13, 2003

Jim,

I've also been doing similar work pushing brush into burn piles. However, I have a protective front grill guard (painted green -- see pic attached) that came as standard equipment when purchasing the 460 FEL. I didn't have to buy the XTRA Armor package to get this. I think this should have come as a standard add on item with the purchase of your 4in1. I'd suggest asking your dealer on this and if you were supposed to get one but didn't, have him provide one as well as replace that black grill screen free of charge.

...Bob

JMAC · May 13, 2003

I have the same guard.

JMAC

rockyridgefarm · May 13, 2003

Looks like expanded metal should be over it

AuCivil · May 13, 2003

I have a 4710 with 4-in-1 and the XTRA Armor package. There have been several situations (in my limited use) where the XTRA Armor hood guard kept my hood from getting a good WHACK! Probably a more experienced or cautious operator would not have gotten into these situations. I seem to be more like a bull in a china shop.

JMAC · May 13, 2003

AuCivil,
I'm the same way, if I'm putting something on the pile I always have to push it just a little bit more and that is when I get a dent or a crease or do something I wish I hadn't of done.
Does the cover on top get in your way to open the hood?

JMAC · May 13, 2003

Mike,
Are you able to fold your BH seat forward without hitting the hydraulic lines? And do you have to move the tractor seat forward to put the BH seat down?
Did you ever figure out what the small knob adjusted on the seat?

JMAC

rockyridgefarm · May 13, 2003

( Are you able to fold your BH seat forward without hitting the hydraulic lines? )

It hits the lines, but it hasn't been a problem. I haven't really looked for a way to reroute them...

( And do you have to move the tractor seat forward to put the BH seat down? )

Not that it is a problem, (I haven't checked for full travel)I am 5'11" with a 34" inseam, and I am VERY comfortable at either seat. I cannot believe how easy it is to reach all the cotrols from either seat. (OK the hydro pedals are a stretch from the BH...)

( Did you ever figure out what the small knob adjusted on the seat?
)

Before mine broke, I decided it was spring tension for shock absorbancy. I got a relacement knob and going to see if I can swap it out to repair it. My dealer would fix it, but I don't want to haul the tractor back for something so small.. I still haven't found ANYONE who really knows about it...

JC4HD · May 15, 2003

JMAC, the answer to your questions are: YES, NO, NO, YES! It not only covers the front of the grill better than the standard grill guard, but continues up over the hood to protect the top of that.... acouple of time when I have overfilled the bucket and/or rotated it too quickly did the Armor protect the hood. If you do alot of brush work the Hyd cylinder and hose protection are also very valuably and part of the Xtra Armor Package (at least they were last year). An you are right about the 4in1 bucket... A must Have! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif