L2501 HD Grill-Brush Guard for the LA526 Loader........

MountainMeadows

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, JD 655, Ford 841, JD 6x4 Gator, Gravely 432.
Jun 6, 2022
192
254
63
Poconos, PA
Having just taken delivery of my L2501 two weeks ago the first thing I wanted to do was add more protection to the grill and radiator area. I have a wicked 55 grapple on order and there is no way I'd want to attack any brush without first installing some sort of brush guard. The factory FEL guard leaves a lot to be desired in the way of protection.

I had a two month wait for a loader after putting a down payment on my new L2501 so I had plenty of time to look at all the aftermarket brush guards available out there. I roamed the forums and the youtube videos. I even considered the 50 year anniversary L3302 factory grill guard with side guards but they all lacked one thing: The maximum grill protection I was looking for. That left me with only one choice. To build my own.

The nice thing about the LA526 loader is that the grill guard is already punched out for carriage bolts. This meant that I wouldn't have to drill any new holes or weld anything to my factory grill guard. That was a plus for me. I hate having to molest my new tractor.

I wanted my brush guard to wrap around the factory guard to provide more protection from the side. All the prefab guards out there only fit the width of the factory guard and fall short on real protection. I decided to fabricate my guard out of square tubing for strength, perforated sheet metal, and angle iron. I started with simply taking some measurements, making some cuts, and framing out the guard.

20220730_091905.jpg


Once it was tacked together I gave it a test fit to see how it looked. There are a couple things you have to work around. One is the movement of the factory guard when it swings forward to allow clearance for the hood to be raised and the other major factor is clearance when the FEL is raised.

20220730_132659.jpg


After checking the fit and the clearances were confirmed everything was welded and the next step would be to bend and attach the perforated metal sheeting. I started with a 2'x3' sheet and the goal was to make my guard out of the full sheet rather then in sections. It was clamped in place to anticipate my next step.

20220730_133313.jpg


A couple of bends, some vice grips, and a couple of cuts and it was coming right along

20220730_133621.jpg


20220730_134207.jpg


Next was to add some 1/2' angle iron around the edge for support and protection from the sharp edge of the perforated sheeting.

20220805_114558.jpg


Lots of angles, lots of cuts, and lots of welding.............

20220805_114631.jpg


Once it was all welded together it was time for wire wheeling, touch up grinding, and prep for paint. Once all that was completed it was time to install the finished brush guard.

20220806_111135.jpg


20220806_111145.jpg


20220806_111207.jpg


Whats next? I'm thinking some filter guards, a chain bucket behind the grill guard and possibly some tie rod protectors............:)
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: 14 users

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
12,899
4,266
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
That is a LOT of work, looks nice and very functional. What size of holes are in the punch plate?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

MountainMeadows

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, JD 655, Ford 841, JD 6x4 Gator, Gravely 432.
Jun 6, 2022
192
254
63
Poconos, PA
That is a LOT of work, looks nice and very functional. What size of holes are in the punch plate?
Thanks! It was a lot of work. More like a labor of love........

The holes accept 5/16 carriage bolts.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

woodman55

Well-known member

Equipment
L6060HSTC, RTV 1100
May 15, 2022
724
516
93
canada
Having just taken delivery of my L2501 two weeks ago the first thing I wanted to do was add more protection to the grill and radiator area. I have a wicked 55 grapple on order and there is no way I'd want to attack any brush without first installing some sort of brush guard. The factory FEL guard leaves a lot to be desired in the way of protection.

I had a two month wait for a loader after putting a down payment on my new L2501 so I had plenty of time to look at all the aftermarket brush guards available out there. I roamed the forums and the youtube videos. I even considered the 50 year anniversary L3302 factory grill guard with side guards but they all lacked one thing: The maximum grill protection I was looking for. That left me with only one choice. To build my own.

The nice thing about the LA526 loader is that the grill guard is already punched out for carriage bolts. This meant that I wouldn't have to drill any new holes or weld anything to my factory grill guard. That was a plus for me. I hate having to molest my new tractor.

I wanted my brush guard to wrap around the factory guard to provide more protection from the side. All the prefab guards out there only fit the width of the factory guard and fall short on real protection. I decided to fabricate my guard out of square tubing for strength, perforated sheet metal, and angle iron. I started with simply taking some measurements, making some cuts, and framing out the guard.

View attachment 84875

Once it was tacked together I gave it a test fit to see how it looked. There are a couple things you have to work around. One is the movement of the factory guard when it swings forward to allow clearance for the hood to be raised and the other major factor is clearance when the FEL is raised.

View attachment 84874

After checking the fit and the clearances were confirmed everything was welded and the next step would be to bend and attach the perforated metal sheeting. I started with a 2'x3' sheet and the goal was to make my guard out of the full sheet rather then in sections. It was clamped in place to anticipate my next step.

View attachment 84877

A couple of bends, some vice grips, and a couple of cuts and it was coming right along

View attachment 84878

View attachment 84879

Next was to add some 1/2' angle iron around the edge for support and protection from the sharp edge of the perforated sheeting.

View attachment 84880

Lots of angles, lots of cuts, and lots of welding.............

View attachment 84881

Once it was all welded together it was time for wire wheeling, touch up grinding, and prep for paint. Once all that was completed it was time to install the finished brush guard.

View attachment 84883

View attachment 84884

View attachment 84885

Whats next? I'm thinking some filter guards, a chain bucket behind the grill guard and possibly some tie rod protectors............:)
Very well done. I am sure it will last the life of the tractor.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

Tropical Jack

Active member

Equipment
Kubota L3301 w/ FEL & BH, tilt and trim, chipper, box blade, grading blade
Really professional job! Very nice looking, and most functional that I have seen. The process of modding your tractor to fit your needs is off to a great start!

Jack
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

tractorX

Member

Equipment
KUBOTA L2501 DT 5' BOX BLADE 42" FORKS PIRANHA TB 5' BUSH HOG 6' GRADER
Sep 27, 2013
81
79
18
Rock Spring GA.
66974157544__5FDDFB8F-C146-4944-B7BF-300631D39711.JPG

expanded metal sucks!
already had 2 punctures in the grill before installing the expanded metal... got lucky this time. im going to replace it with 1/8" plate steel plate steel. dont own a grapple... just use my forks for cleaning up debris.

very impressive build OP!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 users

Smokeydog

Well-known member

Equipment
M59, B26 grapples, backhoes, tillers, graders, diesel atv
Jun 2, 2020
568
524
93
knoxville, Tennessee
Very nice fabrication and write up. Like the added side protection. Building before the grapple is smart.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
12,899
4,266
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
View attachment 84951
expanded metal sucks!
already had 2 punctures in the grill before installing the expanded metal... got lucky this time. im going to replace it with 1/8" plate steel plate steel. dont own a grapple... just use my forks for cleaning up debris.

very impressive build OP!
No, expanded metal doesn't suck. Use the correct material for the job and you'll be fine! Blame the designer not the material. ;)
 
  • Dislike
Reactions: 1 user

MountainMeadows

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, JD 655, Ford 841, JD 6x4 Gator, Gravely 432.
Jun 6, 2022
192
254
63
Poconos, PA
I bought the L2501 for parking lot maintenance at my business, Clearing snow in winter, pushing disabled vehicles, and unloading pallets from trucks. I ordered a grapple because one never knows when a tree is going to unexpectedly drop among customers vehicles............

Watches 253.jpg
 

MountainMeadows

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, JD 655, Ford 841, JD 6x4 Gator, Gravely 432.
Jun 6, 2022
192
254
63
Poconos, PA
View attachment 84951
expanded metal sucks!
already had 2 punctures in the grill before installing the expanded metal... got lucky this time. im going to replace it with 1/8" plate steel plate steel. dont own a grapple... just use my forks for cleaning up debris.

very impressive build OP!
Ouch!

Seems like Mother Nature can always overcome our best intentions.........

I'd add some cross bracing for extra support when you repair that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

D2Cat

Well-known member
Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
12,899
4,266
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
Ouch!

Seems like Mother Nature can always overcome our best intentions.........

I'd add some cross bracing for extra support when you repair that.
Your suggestion of addition support gets you a thumbs up from the original poster. When I suggested the same thing he gave me a thumbs down. He's quite confused!!
 
  • Dislike
Reactions: 1 user

tractorX

Member

Equipment
KUBOTA L2501 DT 5' BOX BLADE 42" FORKS PIRANHA TB 5' BUSH HOG 6' GRADER
Sep 27, 2013
81
79
18
Rock Spring GA.
Your suggestion of addition support gets you a thumbs up from the original poster. When I suggested the same thing he gave me a thumbs down. He's quite confused!!
no not confused... sorry i used the wrong emoji.
🖕
you do you and ill do me!
 
  • Haha
Reactions: 1 user

chim

Well-known member

Equipment
L4240HSTC with FEL, Ford 1210
Jan 19, 2013
1,738
821
113
Near Lancaster, PA, USA
Very nice design, especially the wrap at the sides. Well executed. Have you used it at night since fabbing the guard?
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

MountainMeadows

Well-known member

Equipment
L2501, JD 655, Ford 841, JD 6x4 Gator, Gravely 432.
Jun 6, 2022
192
254
63
Poconos, PA
Very nice design, especially the wrap at the sides. Well executed. Have you used it at night since fabbing the guard?
I've had the tractor going on 3 weeks now and have been too busy to even put 3 hours on the clock let alone take it out at night. When and if things slow down at work I'll have more time for chores.