Grand L grill guard

[4570Man]

View attachment 686614
Quarry screen is some tough stuff and comes in different mesh size. Much stronger than expanded metal. Found my piece at the scrapyard too. Grapple lots of brush and trees.

I paid $40 for a 4x4’ piece which was enough to build the brush guard, fix the back window guard on my dump truck and still have half or so of it left. I was pretty happy with that purchase.

 

[Smokeydog]

BIL made a grill guard from the quarry screen drop.

 

[fried1765]

I paid $40 for a 4x4 piece which was enough to build the brush guard, fix the back window guard on my dump truck and still have half or so of it left. I was pretty happy with that purchase.

There is no scrap metals yard within 100 miles of me.
I there some online seller I might buy a grill guard sized piece from.?
I can find a suitable 24 x 36 size piece of stainless heavy mesh screen online, but it is stainless, and I want to paint it.

 

[buck12]

Do you standard steel suppliers generally carry quarry screen? I have to order some steel for another project in the next week or so.

 

[4570Man]

There is no scrap metals yard within 100 miles of me.
I there some online seller I might buy a grill guard sized piece from.?
I can find a suitable 24 x 36 size piece of stainless heavy mesh screen online, but it is stainless, and I want to paint it.

I stumbled across that and wasn’t even looking for it in a vehicle junkyard. Someone already repurposed it for a cab divider in a van.

 

[Smokeydog]

Do you standard steel suppliers generally carry quarry screen? I have to order some steel for another project in the next week or so.

Not that I have seen but haven’t asked. They probably don’t carry it but know who might. Specialty metal, abrasion resistant, AR of some type. 1/4” wires easily cut with side grinder cutting wheel. No problem to weld.

Quarries, top soil sellers, mining or cement plants might be a source. Surprised at the variety of metal and tractor stuff on marketplace. The inventory at the scrap yard changes to. $0.30/# I bring too much stuff home.

Had over a hundred trees damaged by tornado last year. Have had several stems spring pole and hit the tractor while stacking and pushing piles. No damage to quarry screen or tractor.

3/8-1/2” square bar stock and make your grid/grill.

 

[robertm]

Try McMaster-Carr on line

 

[fried1765]

Try McMaster-Carr on line

Good suggestion!
Thank you!
I will try my local fishery supply first.
They may have 10ga. lobster pot wire, and that could work for me, since I already do have a very robust radiator guard, for it to be mounted on.
I just need an inexpensive way to cover that guard frame with something, to keep the smaller branches/sticks well away from the radiator.

 

[dstig1]

I think I used 9ga 3/4" flattened expanded on my previous tractor. Very sturdy and small enough to keep sticks out but you can still see through it. This has yet to bubble up to the top of the priority list on the current tractor...Probably until it is too late!

 

[senecak19]

Do you standard steel suppliers generally carry quarry screen? I have to order some steel for another project in the next week or so.

Near me they do! Phone calls are faster than driving.

 

[buck12]

I think I used 9ga 3/4" flattened expanded on my previous tractor. Very sturdy and small enough to keep sticks out but you can still see through it. This has yet to bubble up to the top of the priority list on the current tractor...Probably until it is too late!

When I bent my just over a year old tractor that is when improving the grill guard moved up my list. I used my last tractor with no guard at all for ten years with no problems. By a new tractor and I bend the hood, grill mesh and have the head lights aimed at the sky using the grapple.

Do not wait too long.

 

[Smokeydog]

I think I used 9ga 3/4" flattened expanded on my previous tractor. Very sturdy and small enough to keep sticks out but you can still see through it. This has yet to bubble up to the top of the priority list on the current tractor...Probably until it is too late!

I have improved guards for 5 tractors with only one before damage. Lucky no serious damage. Getting whacked with a stick has always been a great motivator to do better.

 

[buck12]

I have improved guards for 5 tractors with only one before damage. Lucky no serious damage. Getting whacked with a stick has always been a great motivator to do better.

My parents had use that learning technique with me from time to time. Now it has carried into my later years.

 

[buck12]

I thought I would update this thread. I finally got expanded metal added to my grill guard. Not as nice as many of the mods other members have done but should keep from further damage to my hood and grill.

 

[oosik]

WoW!! VERY NICE job Buck. That will provide some real protection. I have no idea why my pic "dropped out". Sooooo ..... I'll try again.

 

[buck12]

WoW!! VERY NICE job Buck. That will provide some real protection. I have no idea why my pic "dropped out". Sooooo ..... I'll try again. View attachment 690451

Thanks. Now that the underside and grill are protected I am sure I will find a soft spot I have over looked.

 

[tradosaurus]

Kubota grill guards

 

[Citydude]

Kubota grill guards

Those are pretty slick! Kind of pricy though.

 

[tradosaurus]

Those are pretty slick! Kind of pricy though.

Haven't put mine on yet since I'm still waiting on delivery of my tractor.

I just knew that if I attempted to make something it would look like crap.

 

[Citydude]

Haven't put mine on yet since I'm still waiting on delivery of my tractor.

I just knew that if I attempted to make something it would look like crap.

Yep, mine won't win any fabrication contests. Thats for sure