Skid plate

[RosseauK]

Has anyone built their own skid plate or is there one you can buy for the dk 40. It seem where all the hydraulics connect is susceptible to roots branches, etc...tearing them off or damage of some sort.

 

[MotorSeven]

Not yet, but it's on the list for this year.

Here's my plan: Get a big box, like refrigerator sized. Crawl under the tractor and take measurements, then transfer them to the cardboard and cut it to size. Use tape to hang the pattern from points on the frame where you are going to need attachment tabs. Once it is all in place, mark the locations of the tabs. Then take the cardboard and have a metal shop use it as a template to cut out the pan from a sheet of 4x8 steel. Then weld on the pre drilled tabs, bolt it on and go.

A sheet of steel here is around $100, so even if you paid labor of another $100, that's cheap insurance. My rad fan was $25 and a few hrs of frustration after a stick decided to de-blade it. My engine side shield got knocked off one day and pretzled, but I saved it buy bending it back into shape. Others have ripped off their filters and or mounts which are around a hundred bucks ea.

 

[Gittyup]

Has anyone built their own skid plate or is there one you can buy for the dk 40. It seem where all the hydraulics connect is susceptible to roots branches, etc...tearing them off or damage of some sort.

Check with MichiganIron. He does make and sell custom add-ons for Kiotis.

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

Never have made any for a KIOTI yet.

Here are some pictures were I fab up two that were used to drive through the woods to harvest pine needles.

Click here >> Jinma Dealer, Wood Chipper , Compact Jinma Tractors

 

[MotorSeven]

Ranch, you do nice work:thumbsup: But I think you stole my cardboard pattern idea....shoulda got a patent on it:laughing:

 

[schoolsout]

I need one for our MF 1533

Limb ripped off the hyd. filter and broke the stem it screwed onto... $600 later, we were up and running again :/

 

[bironacad]

it is a good idea it is on the radar for the future

 

[Ranch_Hand_Supp]

Ranch, you do nice work:thumbsup: But I think you stole my cardboard pattern idea....shoulda got a patent on it:laughing:

LOL... I hear ya. I got that card board education growing up in my Dad's tractor shop. Cardboard is a good thing when you are making the first one .... of anything. It usually takes longer to scratch/figure/measure/spit and draw out the cardboard templet than it does to plasma out the plate/pieces/supports etc.

Adding under carriage protection is needed on some ....... tractors need to be set up for there intended purpose. Seems like in the last 10 years or so MFD's are building them like it will never leave a grass field?. I remember in my Dad's shop he/we put protection on a few different makes where corn stalks were breaking stuff....... & logging/farm tractors.

 

[wallace]

I would be all over doing this!
I love to fabricate!




If I was so busy doing this!

 

[RosseauK]

Haha those are good roll cages. Do you log with it?? Where do you guys attach the plate and do you leave holes for the oil plugs.

 

[ritcheyvs]

I need one for our MF 1533

As I recall, I planned to buy a new MF 1533 until I found a used DK45 for slightly less money. As I recall, the MF had several fragile-looking things hanging off the bottom (controls and such) and I recall being concerned about damaging them. Looks like you are working the right fix.

 

[wallace]

This was a customers machine.
They maintain the gas pipe line right aways with it.
Yes we did leave holes for oil drains.
All the mounting plate were made custom by us also.

 

[IndyIan]

DK Serie | Les distributions Payeur
These guys might sell a skid plate separately?

 

[MotorSeven]

Dang Rick that's some serious armor! One has to ask though, why they didn't opt for a small dozer?

The big problem with belly armor on a large scale is that there are so many different brands with different models within each brand that it would be difficult for anyone to make money building them to sell. The DK series is inviting since one pan would cover the 40/45/50 and I wonder how many here would but one?

 

[jimmyj]

Good topic. I've damaged the underside of my tractor twice hitting stumps. This is a good idea.

 

[bob42]

To prevent damage to DK40 hydraulic filter and mount I added a 3/16" x 8" wide protector bolted to the loader sub frame with an access hole with removable cover for filter removal. A smaller plate gives protection to loader quick disconnects and hoses. One more area I thought could use some protection was under the battery. The perforated metal that the battery sits on was bending down and the battery hold down was always loose. Adding a plate there added support and protection to battery and partial protection to the radiator. Our property only has sagebrush on it and more plating would be better, I felt this would adequately protect the most vulnerable areas.

 

[bironacad]

Shouldn't the tractor dealers be offering this option?

 

[gkh7890]

@ Bob42,

That is awesome work!!!! Do you do metal work for a living or a hobby?? Either way, nice job. :thumbsup:

 

[murphy1244]

To prevent damage to DK40 hydraulic filter and mount I added a 3/16" x 8" wide protector bolted to the loader sub frame with an access hole with removable cover for filter removal. A smaller plate gives protection to loader quick disconnects and hoses. One more area I thought could use some protection was under the battery. The perforated metal that the battery sits on was bending down and the battery hold down was always loose. Adding a plate there added support and protection to battery and partial protection to the radiator. Our property only has sagebrush on it and more plating would be better, I felt this would adequately protect the most vulnerable areas.

how much for a kit? nice job..:thumbsup:

 

[bob42]

I like working with metal and it's a hobby. Retired how with plenty of time to do projects like this.
For 13 years worked at a small rental equipment company and was always inventing ways to to protect equipment from user abuse so I would not have to repair it.