MX brush guard

[Luke'sScreenName]

My MX4800 came with a "brush guard" that hinges out to open the hood. However, it's just a frame with no protection for smaller stuff like brush. The grill screen is plastic and I've already cracked it. I'm consideconsidering welding in some expanded metal mesh.
How much do you think mesh would block the headlights? Do you think it will reflect lots of light back at me at night and be blinding? Has anyone moded their guards for small material protection?

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Here is a pic

View attachment 427670

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Pic


View attachment 427672

 

[KubotaToy]

I did about 4k worth of damage on my L45 when a stick went thru my 1/8" expanded metal brush guard and did not stop till it hit the fan blade. After repairs, I found an old bend dozer front guard at a equipment dealer, paid scrap price for it, shaped it on a press to fit the guard, welded it on, and painted it Kubota orange. It is 1/4" thick, now I do not sweat the small stuff or large stuff for that matter.

If you get expanded metal in 3/16 or thicker (better yet get perforated metal), it should work fine, the smaller stuff is too hard to weld well enough to hold for novice welder like me, I kept melting the expanded metal. I would also add cross bracing behind the metal every 6" which would make a great place to weld the metal too.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I did about 4k worth of damage on my L45 when a stick went thru my 1/8" expanded metal brush guard and did not stop till it hit the fan blade. After repairs, I found an old bend dozer front guard at a equipment dealer, paid scrap price for it, shaped it on a press to fit the guard, welded it on, and painted it Kubota orange. It is 1/4" thick, now I do not sweat the small stuff or large stuff for that matter.

If you get expanded metal in 3/16 or thicker (better yet get perforated metal), it should work fine, the smaller stuff is too hard to weld well enough to hold for novice welder like me, I kept melting the expanded metal. I would also add cross bracing behind the metal every 6" which would make a great place to weld the metal too.

Can you post a pic? Would be very helpful.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I did about 4k worth of damage on my L45 when a stick went thru my 1/8" expanded metal brush guard and did not stop till it hit the fan blade. After repairs, I found an old bend dozer front guard at a equipment dealer, paid scrap price for it, shaped it on a press to fit the guard, welded it on, and painted it Kubota orange. It is 1/4" thick, now I do not sweat the small stuff or large stuff for that matter.

If you get expanded metal in 3/16 or thicker (better yet get perforated metal), it should work fine, the smaller stuff is too hard to weld well enough to hold for novice welder like me, I kept melting the expanded metal. I would also add cross bracing behind the metal every 6" which would make a great place to weld the metal too.

You mean it punched a hole in the mesh?
Any idea on the gauge metal. 1/8" refers to the hole size correct?
I know 3/4" is often 13ga but can be 16ga. So I'm thinking 1/8" mesh is fairly flimsy?

 

[KubotaToy]

3/16 or thicker is for the thickness of the metal not hole size. Hole size is whatever you are comfortable with. If you do a search, there are many examples of guards. I would not be afraid to use plate steel if you have some around, the tractor will get plenty of air from the sides.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Did a search and didn't much. Hence the post. Thanks for the reply and i will search again

 

[KubotaToy]

Did a search and didn't much. Hence the post. Thanks for the reply and i will search again

Try using grill guard and brush guard, you will in at least a dozen threads.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Weird. I got an email saying Ovrszd had posted on this thread but now there is nothing here. I also thought someone had posted a picture. Now the only responses I see are from KubotaToy.
Does anyone else see anything more on this thread? I have looked from my phone and desktop.

 

[ovrszd]

I probly did that. My computer or the site was acting up. I tried to post some pics of guards but they wouldn't show up so I deleted the posts. Can't get them to post right today either. I'll try again later. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

I probly did that. My computer or the site was acting up. I tried to post some pics of guards but they wouldn't show up so I deleted the posts. Can't get them to post right today either. I'll try again later. Sorry for the confusion.

Thanks! KubToy said you have a previous thread with you mods. Any idea of the title. Could not find it.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a link to a thread I started about a skid plate. I think on page 2 there are also some pics of my grill guard. There's also other member's productions in the later pages. It's a lengthy read but some good info scattered thru it.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/266010-m9540-belly-skid-plate-brush.html

 

[ovrszd]

If looking for a thread started by a specific member, go to the "Search" icon at the top of the screen. Then scroll down 3 or 4 rows to "User Name". Type in the name you are searching for and then to the right there is a dropdown where you can select what you are looking for. It'll be on "find latest post". Click on the drop down arrow and select "Find threads started by user". Select that and then to the right click on "Search Now".

It will list every thread started by that user. The Search function has many options, just gotta wade thru them and use it to your advantage.

I'll try to get some pics posted on this thread when I can get it to work.

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

Roger that. I wish the phone app had those search functions. Also wish it provided members profile info like the web page does.

 

[KevT]

This is what I did after hearing the horror stories....

 

[Luke'sScreenName]

This is what I did after hearing the horror stories....

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-owning-operating/428191-mx-brush-guard-20150513_133919_resized-jpg"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/kubota-owning-operating/428192-mx-brush-guard-20150513_133940_resized-jpg"/>

Did you do any reinforcement to the bottom flap. If not, any problems with grappled brush bending it? The fact that the grill articulates makes the bottom part tricky.

 

[ovrszd]

Here's a pic of the guard I built on my old L4400. Sorry it's not a very detailed pic. Crude but effective. Non tilting.

 

[KevT]

Did you do any reinforcement to the bottom flap. If not, any problems with grappled brush bending it? The fact that the grill articulates makes the bottom part tricky.

No it is not reinforced on the bottom although I am sure you could if needed. I don't have a grapple, I am just using forks and a chainsaw to move my tree piles to the burn pit, but no issues using the forks. I have scratched the paint off in a lot of places so I know it is working

 

[Herkypilot]

Here's mine



HP