Rear mesh guard

[gwtx]

Hoping to find some ideas on fabricating an expanded metal(or something similar) guard to shield the rear fenders, tail lights, window, and work lights.
It'll have to be 5' wide at the tail light/fender level, and 4' high to shield the big rear window on a M7060hdc. I'm shredding huisatche and mesquite with a 15' batwing , and don't want to mess up my new tractor. I've looked and looked, and have yet to find such a thing. Any and all ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks, Gary

 

[Yooper]

1-1/2 x 14ga square tube (minimum) is what I'd use for the framework. Will this attach to the tractor or to the mower?

 

[gwtx]

It will attach to the tractor(cab frame). Not but one or two places to "attach". The shredder has chain guards on the front, and they do a pretty good job, except when backing into/over cuttings or trees. The chains are then "trailing" and allow cuttings to get through. I only see small pieces of limbs hitting the back of the tractor. I have made up a couple of vertical supports from 1 1/4 sq tube, and plan on using 3/4 or 1" angle to frame out for the expanded metal to attach to. I've been shredding with an old 15' bat wing for over 25yrs, that has no guards on the front at all. Haven't had any large pieces hit the back of the old tractor. I've seen some guards on some of the commercial mowers, and they look like overkill to me. I don't want to hang any more weight on the back of the cab than necessary.
Thanks for the reply. Gary

 

[Yooper]

Just another thought to ponder. Polycarbonate (aka Lexan) might be another option that might be easier to configure for a cab mount. Light and strong and another plus, see through.

 

[gwtx]

I saw some "ready made" polycarbonate shields for sale commercially, but they were too expensive and were held on with suction cups. I would need almost all of a 4x8 sheet to cover the area I want to protect.
Today I bought a 4x8 piece of expanded metal to use. I have a "plan", and hopefully, it will turn out well enough to post some pics. Thanks for the input. Gary

 

[cavjock23]

I saw some "ready made" polycarbonate shields for sale commercially, but they were too expensive and were held on with suction cups. I would need almost all of a 4x8 sheet to cover the area I want to protect.
Today I bought a 4x8 piece of expanded metal to use. I have a "plan", and hopefully, it will turn out well enough to post some pics. Thanks for the input. Gary

I'm shredding just west from you in George West. I have the same concerns you have. I added rubber belting to the front of my shredder but still worry about glass. I have some caliche to worry about also.. What tractor are you running?

 

[gwtx]

I'm shredding just west from you in George West. I have the same concerns you have. I added rubber belting to the front of my shredder but still worry about glass. I have some caliche to worry about also.. What tractor are you running?[/QUOTE:

M7060hdc. I'm almost done with the guard/screen or whatever it's called. see post #3 for more details.
It's 3/4" exp metal, framed with 3/4" angle, looks kinda like a big "slow moving vehicle" placard. Mounted on two vertical supports out of 1 1/4 square tube attached on the bottom to the cab cushion mounts, and on the top to the brackets next to the work light mounts. I didn't want to build it too heavy, and I'm trying to figure a good way to make it so the screen part will "break away" if it gets snagged by a tree or something. Haven't got that done yet. Then, I need to fabricate a screen to go over the grill guard. I use a front mounted "tree puller", and don't want a limb poking thru the grill.
I'm finding out I'm just about too old for projects like this
I'll try to post some pics when I get her done.
If you get more rain than you need over there,,,we're still in need. Gary

 

[gwtx]

Finally got around to finishing the "screen" to protect the rear glass. I'm thinking I might make a lower section to keep cuttings off the remotes, linkages and etc that are exposed. With my luck, a chunk of wood will probably bounce up under the screen. If I do that, I'll hinge it so as to have access to the hose connections etc. Pic attached. Also pic of the "Notch Puller". Gary

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for the follow up!

 

[rkidd]

Finally got around to finishing the "screen" to protect the rear glass. I'm thinking I might make a lower section to keep cuttings off the remotes, linkages and etc that are exposed. With my luck, a chunk of wood will probably bounce up under the screen. If I do that, I'll hinge it so as to have access to the hose connections etc. Pic attached. Also pic of the "Notch Puller". Gary

Very nice looking screen fab job. Looks great!!

 

[cavjock23]

Wow.. That looks pretty sharp..
Great job..

 

[Camlocker75]

Finally got around to finishing the "screen" to protect the rear glass. I'm thinking I might make a lower section to keep cuttings off the remotes, linkages and etc that are exposed. With my luck, a chunk of wood will probably bounce up under the screen. If I do that, I'll hinge it so as to have access to the hose connections etc. Pic attached. Also pic of the "Notch Puller". Gary

Very nice piece of equipment you have there, sir.

 

[gwtx]

Thanks. I never realized how MUCH paint it takes to cover expanded metal.
I hope to be able to do some pasture cleanup without scratching up my tractor. Probably near impossible. I need to get to work on a grill guard that will protect the front mounted "backup" camera. It helps with the tree puller, but after a bit of practice, I can usually "feel" my way on to the trunk/trunks of the huisatches. Thanks for the comments. Gary