Bent my brush guard CK30

[jimmyj]

Well, the other day I went to open the hood and....it won't open because it won't clear the brush guard. Somehow, I must have bent it back a bit. I have no idea how although I did push a couple of round bales around but I would not have thought they would do that sort of damage.

It seems to be back equally on both the left and right side so I wonder if I can put a chain around it, then wrap the chain around something big and stationary and back up to "un-bend" it.

Any comments?

 

[MichiganIron]

You aren't the first...and won't be the last. Wrap a strap high on the guard, and back up slowly!!

 

[jimmyj]

OK thanks.

And...Michigan Iron rocks! You guys are always so helpful.

 

[Dmace]

They are a little soft, mine bent back enough to hit the hood when opening so I put a chain around a tree and the grill and backed up slowly. I may have moved it out more then stock but it doesn't hit.

 

[IslandTractor]

You aren't the first...and won't be the last. Wrap a strap high on the guard, and back up slowly!!

As an alternative, how about using a come along attached to the top of the brush guard and some stationary object. Might be a little easier to make fine adjustments.

 

[wallace]

Funny story here...
I had a customer call me screaming at us because we sold him a machine that the hood won't open on..keep in mind he had the machine for a month.
So I went over how to open the hood...customer got even more up set so I told him I would send some one out...
After we got there and saw the grill guard into the hood I asked him what he hit...he said I didn't hit anything I was just pushing stumps!
We hooked a strap on it and around the cross tube on the loader and slowely lowered the loader and for some odd reason the hood just opened

 

[jimmyj]

Good idea on the loader Rick. Thanks!

 

[VictorW]

Funny story here...
I had a customer call me screaming at us because we sold him a machine that the hood won't open on..keep in mind he had the machine for a month.
So I went over how to open the hood...customer got even more up set so I told him I would send some one out...
After we got there and saw the grill guard into the hood I asked him what he hit...he said I didn't hit anything I was just pushing stumps!
We hooked a strap on it and around the cross tube on the loader and slowely lowered the loader and for some odd reason the hood just opened

It's amazing how the minds of some people work.

I don't have a brush guard but if they bend easily, would it be worth the time to reinforce it or are some just trying to turn the guard into a mini dozer?

 

[jimmyj]

I bent it back using Rick's method. Man it was easy, that metal is not nearly as strong as I thought.

Victor, the guard is still worth it. I've had stuff fall over and such and bang it a number of times. You are right though, it should not be used to shove stuff around. It's cheaper than a new grille and headlight setup!

 

[Highbeam]

These things aren't bulldozers. I would be careful building up this guard to withstand huge impacts since, well, what's the next thing to go? I plan on not ever actually hitting anything with it on purpose.

 

[IslandTractor]

I bent it back using Rick's method. Man it was easy, that metal is not nearly as strong as I thought.

I'd say the metal is plenty strong but the necessary design to protect the grill while still allowing the hood to open incorporates a long lever arm. Consequently, if you press on the top of the grill guard you will exert quite a lot of force on the bottom of the bracket. There is enough strength in the bracket to prevent brush from pushing on your grill but certainly not enough to use the guard for any sort of "bulldozing" activity whatsoever. To do so would be kinda like using your car seatbelts to tow another vehicle...it may look strong but only do what it's designed to do.

 

[contdevelop]

This is good info on the factory brush guard. I almost pulled the trigger and bought one. Now it is confirmed that I will just make my own.

 

[VictorW]

This is good info on the factory brush guard. I almost pulled the trigger and bought one. Now it is confirmed that I will just make my own.

I thought about buying one also but may just make it if I would have to do some reinforcing anyways. Not that I would use it for pushing things but would like to know the front is well protected. As previously said, grill, headlights and hood are expensive.

 

[IslandTractor]

It's a BRUSH guard not a bulldozer blade. It works fine as designed if used properly and not abused. It is intended simply to keep brush from contacting the vulnerable grill, hood and lights while mowing without a loader. It isn't supposed to be heavy duty or abused anymore than your car windshield is designed or built to be used to push logs or expected to stop a moose. Use the thing properly and there is no reason to reinforce it or build some over engineered contraption on the front of your tractor.

 

[GeneD14]

Last year I bought my tractor used and the brush guard was bent back and tweeked up on one side. I used the loader and a strap to gently pull it out. Then I used an 8' long 4x4 post to push down on one side with the loader. It came out perfect.

 

[jimmyj]

I am still very glad that I have this guard. It has saved my grille many times from brush and branches. I have been thinking about this and I think the only place that I could have bent the guard was pushing a round bale along a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Dmace]

The only reason mine bent was from loading the dump truck and getting too close to the side while trying to dump in the middle of the bed. Not paying attention, I would sometimes lightly brush against the truck and then continue driving forward until I realized that I was pushing the truck.

I actually didn't realize it was bent until I tried to open the hood. I am still glad I have it and it's definitely perfect for it's intention.

 

[MichiganIron]

Remember bumpers on cars before the NHTSA started regulating front collision requirements? Now the bumber works well, but you destroy $1k worth of plastic everytime you look at it wrong.

What a scam that is.

 

[jimmyj]

Hey Michigan, you got that right! I like big ole' metal bumpers that look like they have the same amount of steel in them as a bridge I beam!!!

 

[IslandTractor]

Hey Michigan, you got that right! I like big ole' metal bumpers that look like they have the same amount of steel in them as a bridge I beam!!!

I liked the 50's Cadillac bumpers with the pointy DDD cups.