New Tractors? Might want hood gaurds!!

[iamgott]

Hey, for all those with new tractors, if you dont have the hood protector, you might want to consider it. If you do alot of loader work, specially up high, be reeeeal Careful!!!!!
If you have a bucket full of rock, rubble or whatever, when you get up high, one wrong move and you might be buyin a new hood. Just a little warning for those who are not familiar with tractors and/or the 4310's. I broke my hood once, it was an expensive lesson!!! gottt
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[JohnMiller3]

Re: New Tractors? Might want hood guards!!

I've never ever seen any hood guard "protect" the hood from falling debris... in fact they are utterly useless from spillage from the bucket... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The main purpose of the hood guard is to protect the "radiator" or front end area of the tractor during loading up close and personal with a dump truck or similar... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[iamgott]

Re: New Tractors? Might want hood guards!!

No, not that thing!! Im talking about the big metal thing that goes over the hood, "it will protect the hood". That pic you posted is what I refer to as a grill or brush gaurd.
The hood protector Ive seen at my dealer is at least, 3' long and covers the entire top of the hood, and its real heavy, but it also hinges for easy access. Maybe they offer an aftermarket?? I know they quoted me $800 for it. Oh well, I guess you could buy 4 hoods for that LOL,. Take care,,,,gott

 

[Jim_Fisher]

Re: New Tractors? Might want hood guards!!

<font color="blue"> Im talking about the big metal thing that goes over the hood </font>

It's called Extra Armor. It actually replaces the grille guard and extends back over the hood. If you go to Deere's web site and select the build and price for one of the 4000 series tractors you can see the details.

When I bought mine, there was a package designed for rental yards which also included tail light guards, tie downs, backup alarm, c range lockout, ... or you could buy the components individually.

 

[gator]

Re: New Tractors? Might want hood guards!!

Xtra Armor Kit LINK from the TBN Articles Page. Shows the hood guard attached to the grill guard in the picture.

 

[JC4HD]

Re: New Tractors? Might want hood guards!!

Yep the Xtra Armor kit is the way to go if you have a loader. Besides being a better than stock grill guard... it extends about 3 feet back over the hood and offers great protection. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifMine has paid for itself on a couple of occasions with the bucket up high and a little "Overful"! As someone mentioned it hinges up and out of the way when access to the engine compartment is required.

 

[JMAC]

I bought the x-tra armor after the purchase of my 4310 tractor and added it myself. It comes with covers for the cylinder and lines in front, hooks plates, and kevlar covers for some lines and the hood guard itself which is very heavy duty. I think it weighs about 75 lbs. My dealer said the retail was $615.00 but he sold it to me for $500. Its easy to install. I'm glad I added it.
JMAC

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That doesn't sound like too bad a price on it, I guess, but it's still more than a pair of new hoods will cost you. On the flip side, you are protecting more than just the hood. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I just think I might be happier with $500 spent elsewhere, I guess.

 

[iamgott]

My local dealer sold me a hood for$225, I guess if you smash 2 hoods, the hood gaurd would be almost paid for. And belive me, its not hard to mess up your hood, and if somethin real heavy falls and hits it, you might be replacing side panels to. The day after I put my new hood on, I was cleaning up a rubbish pile with about 50 tires in it. Would you belive, one of those tires came down and I jumped out of the seat, both arms stretched and deflected it, whew, almost bought another hood right then and there. I was dumpin in my dump truck, thats when its dangerous, "up high". Actually, if workin at high rpm, you could possibly fling a big rock back on yourself, so be careful.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

That's a good point. I barely get over the sideboards on my F-450 Super Duty with my 4200/420 loader so I'm extended all the way when I'm doing that.