Brushguarding my 354

[quicksandfarmer]

I'm looking for suggestions on ways to add some sort of brushguarding to my Jinma 354. I do a lot of brushclearing and agressive mowing, and I find I'm often beating up either myself or my tractor. I've also taken out my muffler a few times, as well as the rear worklight, and poked a hole in the radiator grill. I wear a hardhat with faceshield, and it gets wacked pretty often, so I'd like to move the perimeter back a little!

Seeing this picture (posted by stumpfield) got me thinking:


The dozer is basically shaped like a tractor, but in addition to the ROPS it has another ushaped bar ahead of the driver seat, and two diagonals going to the front. I think I could pretty easily mount bars like that on my tractor, since the Koyker FEL has a frame that wraps all around the front and gives a good attachment point.

The question is: what to make it out of? I don't think it has to be super strong, just enough to keep branches away. It has to be able to come off, because from time to time I fold the ROPS down to get into my garage. I don't have a welder so it has to be something I can bolt together.

Also, I'd like to put a screen across the back of the ROPS, and maybe elsewhere, like the radiator. Any thoughts on the best material for that?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[biggkidd]

Also, I'd like to put a screen across the back of the ROPS, and maybe elsewhere, like the radiator. Any thoughts on the best material for that?
Any thoughts?
EXPANDED METAL

I think you have a great Idea there I have the stuff to do mine but haven't gotten around to it yet.

Larry

[red]

For the screening you can use the wire mesh they use in concrete (slabs) I'd buy the flat sheets 5' X10' use hose clamps to attach to the tubing you use. Just paint it before you use it. -Ed

[arveeotto]

quicksandfarmer

There is a good picture of a bush bar in this video ( it's not screened in like you wanted). youtube.com/watch?v=dc89Vd1-oT8
Rick

[quicksandfarmer]

Thanks Rick. That's pretty much what I have in mind. I like the way you worked the muffler under the bar too. Your video makes plowing look like a lot of fun! It looks like you have the front tires out wide. How do you like that? I also looked at the video of the gripper; you definitely need to do a post telling us all about it.

Thinking out loud, my tentative plan is to use perforated square steel tubing. The stuff I'm looking at has a 7/16" hole every inch. It comes in 1/4" increments, with 1/8" wall, so a piece will telescope into the next bigger size. What I'm thinking is I'll make the main frame out of 1" bars, then bolt short pieces of 1-1/4" onto the tractor for attachment points. I'll attach it by slipping the 1" piece into the 1-1/4" piece and joining them with a hitch pin. The stuff I'm looking at ("Steelworks Boltmaster" is the brand) comes with gussets to allow you to attach it at angles, kind of like an erector set for grown-up boys.

I'll attach it to the canopy mount points on the ROPS at the back, and to either the loader brackets or the chassis on the front. This will also give more support to the canopy, which kind of tilts now. If I'm really clever, I'll figure out a way to attach both the canopy and the guard with the same pins, so I can take the whole thing off when I need to fold the ROPS.

What I haven't decided is if I need additional braces, either joining the two bars together, or supporting the front of the canopy.

[arveeotto]

quicksandfarmer
Sound like your well on the way with your plans, good luck and have fun with the "erector set". As far as taking credit for the bush bar in the video, sorry , I only found the video on You Tube. It is not my tractor or my idea, just remember seeing video some time ago and thought you might like to see how someone else built one on your style tractor. Thanks.
Rick
PS when you do build it, take lots of pictures and post them. I think we would all be intrested to see your project come together.