Grill Guard - Simple & Cheap?

[LarryBud]

Hi Folks,

I run a L3130

I added a grapple to my set up a few months past ( love it ). So far, I've used it without the mesh component on my Grill Guard. I know I'm living on borrowed time before I run something through the tractor grill.

I've looked at all the threads of custom builds and I'm impressed. Unfortunately, I'm not currently set up for self fabrication. I have found an aftermarket retailer who is at $350 plus tax/shipping. That's a little steep for this problem if I can avoid it.

Has anyone come up with a solution which not a total custom fab job that works? Beauty over function is not a priority at this time.

Thanks

My current grill guard looks like this:

 

[Fladogman]

Can you weld? If so expanded metal is cheap and works pretty good. The guy at the metal shop gave me the metal from his scrap pile for mine. I'm also planning on adding barrier to the back of my grapple for added protection. I had a limb come through the back and lift my ssqh lever once.

 

[jimh406]

I bought a heavy metal guard.

If you don’t weld, I think you could bend some expanded metal to fit around the bars after cutting, paint it, and then drill and bolt through the guard uprights running the bolts through the holes in the expanded metal.

 

[Bmyers]

I used expanded metal on mine. I would like one of the nicer ones and several i have looked like appear to offer better protection, yet so far, this one has worked great and the price was right (cost of the expanded metal which was pre-covid).

 

[Borane4]

$20 = expanded metal and and 30 zip ties.

 

[LarryBud]

Thanks All.

Expanded metal is new ( I never knew what it was called ) to me but I see the utility.

 

[McMXi]

Thanks All.

Expanded metal is new ( I never knew what it was called ) to me but I see the utility.

I prefer perforated steel over expanded steel for this application but it's not as cheap. It can be easier to work with in terms of welding, and it's certainly stronger. Expanded steel is typically chosen for applications where overall weight is an important design concern and where the strength of perforated steel isn't necessary.

https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-perforated-sheet

I have all the material I need to make a guard for my MX but I've decided to wait until the new tractor shows up rather than weld up something that I won't get to use.

 

[old and tired]

Buy some expanded metal; larger than the front face (add a couple inches for each side). Hammer it over the edge and use some self-tapping screws with washers on the sides to fasten it.

 

[jimh406]

Buy some expanded metal; larger than the front face (add a couple inches for each side). Hammer it over the edge and use some self-tapping screws with washers on the sides to fasten it.

I don’t know if you’ve tried drilling the sides, but they aren’t very soft. I don’t think you will be very successful with just self-tapping screws of large enough size to hold the expanded metal on impact.

 

[JimmyJazz]

$20 = expanded metal and and 30 zip ties.

or wire.

 

[jyoutz]

or wire.

Stainless steel zip ties

 

[JimmyJazz]

Stainless steel zip ties

I have never seen or heard of such a thing. Thats brilliant. Thanks.

 

[LarryBud]

I have never seen or heard of such a thing. Thats brilliant. Thanks.

Commercial Electric 11in Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistant UL Certified Cable Zip Ties 10 Pack (Stainless Steel) MLG-300ST(10) - The Home Depot

Secure horses, cables, poles, pipes and more in a harsh environment conditions with this Stainless Steel Tie from Commercial Electric.

www.homedepot.com

 

[jyoutz]

I have never seen or heard of such a thing. Thats brilliant. Thanks.

Just search for them on Amazon. I also saw them at Home Depot

 

[egilchrest]

I got some stainless perforated sheet and some stainless bar and welded something up over the weekend. Seems like it will do the job. I liked that it was mostly open so it doesn't interfere with the lights. And stainless so I am not dealing with a lot of rusting down the road.

 

[LarryBud]

I got some stainless perforated sheet and some stainless bar and welded something up over the weekend. Seems like it will do the job. I liked that it was mostly open so it doesn't interfere with the lights. And stainless so I am not dealing with a lot of rusting down the road. View attachment 69589

Nicely done!

 

[awesome]

FWIW, this was my first welding project. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/yet-another-grill-guard-post.50437/

Turned out pretty good.

 

[LarryBud]

FWIW, this was my first welding project. https://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/threads/yet-another-grill-guard-post.50437/

Turned out pretty good.

Nice work there. I need one.

 

[MattN03]

I prefer perforated steel over expanded steel for this application but it's not as cheap. It can be easier to work with in terms of welding, and it's certainly stronger. Expanded steel is typically chosen for applications where overall weight is an important design concern and where the strength of perforated steel isn't necessary.

https://www.metalsdepot.com/steel-products/steel-perforated-sheet

I have all the material I need to make a guard for my MX but I've decided to wait until the new tractor shows up rather than weld up something that I won't get to use.

I went with the perforated sheet as well.

 

[Smokeydog]

LarryBud you are on the right track improving your grill guard. If you can take the grill guard off and take it to a high school vocational or weld shop can get

some expanded metal on cheap. You paint and your back in business.

Gravel screen, 3x6” tube bumper, hooks and ring. Factory bonnet guard.