Kioti DK Grill Protection

[gkh7890]

Hey Pack!

Started this out by sharing photos of my spray can paint experiment in posts #22, 23, & 24 in the following:http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kioti-owning-operating/220815-rattle-can-paint-closest-kioti.html. Since I managed to bust the lower plastic grill on my DK late this summer (debris going thru the opening in the grill guard), I've decided to add some heavy duty expanded metal to the outside to prevent this from happening again!

(This is not the thin grade of metal that you get at Lowes, HD, or TSC. I got this at a metal supply shop. This is the grade metal they use on utility trailers...I'll see I can find the receipt that lists the grade or size. It was a 1/4 sheet for about $22.)

BTW, I almost punctured my battery!!!

Here are some photos of my progress to date as I hope to finish up this weekend. I promise to post pics as I attach it and paint it. Also, if 4Shorts is reading this, you are so talented and watching your work thru your posts has been very inspiring! I plan to immitate your work as close as possible.:thumbsup:

The first 4 pics show the "basic" layout following the frame and what it looks like cut out. The remaining pics show it in position. As you can see, I'll have to trim it up a little and I do plan to follow the contour towards the bottom. Stay tuned.....

 

[RunninOnEmpty]

I wish I were that handy! If so my CK20 would be sportin' a grill guard like your's. Look's great! :thumbsup:

 

[Leroy Brown]

Yes real nice job. You probably saved your engine fan from distraction. My neighbor got debri in her fan and destroyed the fan I can't remember the brand of tractor she has but the are no longer being made and she had a real hard time getting parts.

 

[MotorSeven]

GHK, I need to do that, I already have a ding in the grill...good job. I am still going to do a full belly pan, just don't have the time right now.

 

[MossflowerWoods]

Hey Pack!

Stay tuned.....

GHK,

AWOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

UPS is dropping my grill guard off at your house tomorrow... Please make me one too!

Seriously, You already know I'm jealous of this and want one. What do you think of my idea for using those metal tie wraps instead of tack welding?

Also, how big was a quarter sheet? I'm thinking about using a piece like that to cover the ramp into my Motorcycle shed I hope to at least START building tomorrow... I need to be able to park the bike on the ramp while I open the door (Right now I am thinking a std single car garage roller door, as I need a 10' opening to manuver all 4 Harley's in and out easily). I do not want to be rebuilding the ramp every spring, and due to the power lines, I cannot make it concrete... a heavy duty PT ramp with metal cloth like yours on top sounds pretty tough to me...

Looking forward to the nex batch of pics!

Be well,
David

 

[rd_macgregor]

With a grill guard, the headlights are nearly useless, anyway, so a bit more glare from adding the mesh probably won't make it much worse...and it could save you a lot of headaches down the road from sharp things projecting into the engine compartment.
Nice job.
BOB

 

[gkh7890]

Thanks for the kind words!!

A qtr sheet is 2ft X 4ft. A standard sheet is 4X8 (just like sheets of lumber).

As for using ties vs. tac welding....I don't know. Even though I'm welding, if something hits it hard enough, it could break the welds. I would suggest welding as I'm sure it would be much stronger than the metal tie wraps. Just thinking aloud as I have no experience w/ the metal ties.

 

[Coyote machine]

With a grill guard, the headlights are nearly useless, anyway, so a bit more glare from adding the mesh probably won't make it much worse...and it could save you a lot of headaches down the road from sharp things projecting into the engine compartment.
Nice job.
BOB

Don't even need the grill guard to make the headlights useless, but come to think of it, it might make for a place to put some small flood lights, on the backside of the screen. This would help when trying to see things with the loader bucket in place.

 

[Singlemalt]

Should of had that on my machine the second time I took my radiator out.

The first time is to painful to mention. Right between the battery plate and the axle.

If it's going to get through it's going to get through. Always seems to be an opening somewhere.

The idea is excellent and will look into trying it on my unit. I'm in the bush all the time.

Would JB Weld hold that in place?

 

[Coyote machine]

Should of had that on my machine the second time I took my radiator out.

The first time is to painful to mention. Right between the battery plate and the axle.

If it's going to get through it's going to get through. Always seems to be an opening somewhere.

The idea is excellent and will look into trying it on my unit. I'm in the bush all the time.

Would JB Weld hold that in place?

If by 'in place' you mean long enough until you ram something into it, then yes. Or until something jumps out of the woods and bites it, then yes to that too. But to make it work in the real world, clamp, weld or cable tie it to the non-brush guard.