More T320 Forestry Improvements

[fishfactor]

I am one that just can't leave things alone. If you recall, I posted a while back on how I modified the oil cooler and A/C condenser so they are on hinges to allow easy cleaning of the radiator. With just enough rain recently to keep us grounded, I put into action a mod that I have been designing while laying in bed at night for several months.

I basically built a new cover for the back that has solid sides and a roof that extends back to the round bar between the lift arms. The roof is removeable to allow tilting the cab but the sides are stationary.

There is a removeable 1/4" perforated steel grate, and a removeable screen (from a house window) to filter out most all debris. So far it has worked great and should reduce those 2 times/day radiator cleanings in the summer.

Believe it or not, it doesn't cause problems with your view. I took note that when you look back, you almost always look under the round bar.

Here is the cover with the screen in place

Here is a view from the top. It's 3" shorter than the cab just because thats what I could find for the sides. All of the metal came from a local scrap yard.

And here is a picture with the screen removed. Just 2 wing nuts to remove the screen. The metal grate can also be removed by removing the 2 bolts in the back. The muffler cover/protector also removes with 4 bolts.

 

[Digdeep]

i like your saying at the bottom- "No matter what anyone tells you, old fencing, cable, and farm implements that are in the middle of the woods are not your friends!"

I have a friend in the mulching business that hates mattresses too! he says it takes hours with wire clippers to cut the springs because they are high tensile strength or something to that effect.

 

[yellowdogsvc]

I am one that just can't leave things alone. If you recall, I posted a while back on how I modified the oil cooler and A/C condenser so they are on hinges to allow easy cleaning of the radiator. With just enough rain recently to keep us grounded, I put into action a mod that I have been designing while laying in bed at night for several months.

I basically built a new cover for the back that has solid sides and a roof that extends back to the round bar between the lift arms. The roof is removeable to allow tilting the cab but the sides are stationary.

There is a removeable 1/4" perforated steel grate, and a removeable screen (from a house window) to filter out most all debris. So far it has worked great and should reduce those 2 times/day radiator cleanings in the summer.

Believe it or not, it doesn't cause problems with your view. I took note that when you look back, you almost always look under the round bar.

Here is the cover with the screen in place

Here is a view from the top. It's 3" shorter than the cab just because thats what I could find for the sides. All of the metal came from a local scrap yard.

And here is a picture with the screen removed. Just 2 wing nuts to remove the screen. The metal grate can also be removed by removing the 2 bolts in the back. The muffler cover/protector also removes with 4 bolts.

Can you still get out the rear window in an emergency? I have been toying with the idea of doing upgrades but I've found that I can blow out the radiators pretty quick from underneath and running a cut to fit A/C filters catches a lot of the fluff.

 

[fishfactor]

Getting out the rear window is still possilbe, but a little challenging. In the future is a hinged upgrade that will allow the top to flip with the pull of a pin.

I have considered adding a channel to slide in a furnace filter but was concerned that it would clog too quickly. If it has worked for you I may add that option as well.