Lown Performance Grill Guards/Customer Service

[Buckley]

Hey everyone, this post is in regards to Lown Performance. Last fall I needed a grill guard for my LX2610 so I did some searching and came up with a couple options, but ended up ordering from Lown. I originally wanted the guard with chain holder but really wasn't sure if it would work with my setup as I have 3rd function and run a front mount blower(extra bracket on the front of machine) so I do something I Never do. I reached out with an email to ask lol. Within hours I received a reply, snapped some pics to send for them to confirm the chain bucket would not fit my setup. Now Im positive 99% of companies out there would have ended the conversation right there and I would have had to find another way but, the folks at Lown offered to make me up a chain bucket if I were to send them some measurements. I gracefully declined the offer as I wasnt 100% on the bucket but was about the grill guard. They then offered a great deal on just the guard and a fuel filter wrench, so I placed the order. Long story short, some unforeseen things happened to no fault of mine or of Lown, but I wont get into specifics. Lets just say shipping things to Canada can get expensive and be a PITA!!!
Lown Performance stepped in and made a crappy situation a really great one for me! So BIG Thanks for that to them!!! The customer service I received from ordering a tractor grill guard really blew me away. I was not only surprised, but really taken back by it. So much so that I wanted to do this little write up to bragg about it lol. Its very rare nowadays to purchase something and not feel like youve had your shirt stolen right off your back(especially being Canadian). Okay, so all that said about their customer service and how kind they are. Now lets talk about the grill guard. Showed up packaged really well in a nice little box with inserts and paper so not to get damaged. The craftsmanship/workmanship/quality of cuts, bends and welds are nothing short of Perfection. The powder coating is some of, if not the absolute best I have ever seen. I ordered the wrinkled black and man Oh man the thing is a work of art. I took some pics when I installed it over winter with the blower attached and some over this past weekend when the FEL was put on. Thanks again to Lown Performance for being so accommodating and looking after me. If your in the market for a grill guard and or chain bucket please check them out. Top Notch service and products

 

[CiscoRanger]

Thats really sharp looking. Glad you had a great experience with them. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Landris]

Hey I'm from Canada too, so I can relate to the headaches of ordering things from the US. Was the expensive shipping UPS by chance? I vow never to buy anything from the US shipped by UPS. BTW here's the grill guard I made for my LX2610. Not powder coated but I'm super happy with how it turned out.

 

[Buckley]

Hey I'm from Canada too, so I can relate to the headaches of ordering things from the US. Was the expensive shipping UPS by chance? I vow never to buy anything from the US shipped by UPS. BTW here's the grill guard I made for my LX2610. Not powder coated but I'm super happy with how it turned out.

Yes sir it was UPS, expensive brokerage fees. I did find out a few months after this that we (Canadians) can do whats called a self clear through your local CBSA and they charge only the GST for the date the item clears customs. Lown will ship using other methods but Im sure you would need call and talk with them for anyone reading this FYI.
That grill guard looks great buddy, good job. Looks real clean. Is it 2 separate pcs or does it tuck behind the brush guard? Looks nice either way!!!

 

[jyoutz]

Hey everyone, this post is in regards to Lown Performance. Last fall I needed a grill guard for my LX2610 so I did some searching and came up with a couple options, but ended up ordering from Lown. I originally wanted the guard with chain holder but really wasn't sure if it would work with my setup as I have 3rd function and run a front mount blower(extra bracket on the front of machine) so I do something I Never do. I reached out with an email to ask lol. Within hours I received a reply, snapped some pics to send for them to confirm the chain bucket would not fit my setup. Now Im positive 99% of companies out there would have ended the conversation right there and I would have had to find another way but, the folks at Lown offered to make me up a chain bucket if I were to send them some measurements. I gracefully declined the offer as I wasnt 100% on the bucket but was about the grill guard. They then offered a great deal on just the guard and a fuel filter wrench, so I placed the order. Long story short, some unforeseen things happened to no fault of mine or of Lown, but I wont get into specifics. Lets just say shipping things to Canada can get expensive and be a PITA!!!
Lown Performance stepped in and made a crappy situation a really great one for me! So BIG Thanks for that to them!!! The customer service I received from ordering a tractor grill guard really blew me away. I was not only surprised, but really taken back by it. So much so that I wanted to do this little write up to bragg about it lol. Its very rare nowadays to purchase something and not feel like youve had your shirt stolen right off your back(especially being Canadian). Okay, so all that said about their customer service and how kind they are. Now lets talk about the grill guard. Showed up packaged really well in a nice little box with inserts and paper so not to get damaged. The craftsmanship/workmanship/quality of cuts, bends and welds are nothing short of Perfection. The powder coating is some of, if not the absolute best I have ever seen. I ordered the wrinkled black and man Oh man the thing is a work of art. I took some pics when I installed it over winter with the blower attached and some over this past weekend when the FEL was put on. Thanks again to Lown Performance for being so accommodating and looking after me. If your in the market for a grill guard and or chain bucket please check them out. Top Notch service and products

I ordered a grill guard and chain bucket from Lown last year. I was likewise impressed with their product quality and delivery time.

 

[LFP57]

Hey everyone, this post is in regards to Lown Performance. Last fall I needed a grill guard for my LX2610 so I did some searching and came up with a couple options, but ended up ordering from Lown. I originally wanted the guard with chain holder but really wasn't sure if it would work with my setup as I have 3rd function and run a front mount blower(extra bracket on the front of machine) so I do something I Never do. I reached out with an email to ask lol. Within hours I received a reply, snapped some pics to send for them to confirm the chain bucket would not fit my setup. Now Im positive 99% of companies out there would have ended the conversation right there and I would have had to find another way but, the folks at Lown offered to make me up a chain bucket if I were to send them some measurements. I gracefully declined the offer as I wasnt 100% on the bucket but was about the grill guard. They then offered a great deal on just the guard and a fuel filter wrench, so I placed the order. Long story short, some unforeseen things happened to no fault of mine or of Lown, but I wont get into specifics. Lets just say shipping things to Canada can get expensive and be a PITA!!!
Lown Performance stepped in and made a crappy situation a really great one for me! So BIG Thanks for that to them!!! The customer service I received from ordering a tractor grill guard really blew me away. I was not only surprised, but really taken back by it. So much so that I wanted to do this little write up to bragg about it lol. Its very rare nowadays to purchase something and not feel like youve had your shirt stolen right off your back(especially being Canadian). Okay, so all that said about their customer service and how kind they are. Now lets talk about the grill guard. Showed up packaged really well in a nice little box with inserts and paper so not to get damaged. The craftsmanship/workmanship/quality of cuts, bends and welds are nothing short of Perfection. The powder coating is some of, if not the absolute best I have ever seen. I ordered the wrinkled black and man Oh man the thing is a work of art. I took some pics when I installed it over winter with the blower attached and some over this past weekend when the FEL was put on. Thanks again to Lown Performance for being so accommodating and looking after me. If your in the market for a grill guard and or chain bucket please check them out. Top Notch service and products

I considered one of these myself, they are nice looking, expensive though. From the images, it looks like they changed the way it's mounted. The only apprehension I have is trying to reach up over the loader arm and then down the back of the guard to pull the handle to release the guard. Do you find it not a problem? I seen that Messick's is now offering guards now as well.

 

[ve9aa]

Both guards look great!!

It kills me to order stuff from the states or even overseas and UPS be the only method of shipping.
Most times I will just go without rather than getting raked over the coals and robbed.

 

[UpNorthMI]

I’m Another LOWN customer who had great service and product experience. People are quick to complain we need to be as quick to praise good companies.

 

[B737]

That is awesome about Lown!

Dealing with Canada is a pain the ass.

I had several hundred dollars of guards from Paul & Kathy Short over at Specialty Repair Custom Mods, never opened, all new still in the box. I sold the tractor before they were installed. I requested to send them back, pay the difference (if any) to purchase guards for the next tractor that was coming. NOPE!

Through my employer, I get free international fedex shipping. Told them I would cover all shipping costs and fees BOTH ways for all items. NOPE. Wont be using them ever again. Will fabricate locally.

hats off to Lown for doing the right thing. Would gladly give a company like that repeat business, its not easy to do the right thing.

 

[ve9aa]

"... Dealing with Canada is a pain the ass. ..."

I agree - and I'm in Canada!!!

You'd think the USA and Canada were on opposite sides of the globe. I am not defending Paul & Kathy whatsoever but I imagine the trouble was not you or the actual shipping costs, but all the (very real) hassle of receiving something from across the border.

You guys (south of the border) just have no idea.......the red tape and multiple charges would blow your minds.

 

[B737]

I agree Ve9aa, its great to read about Lown stepping up, no small feat!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Very nice looking!

 

[Buckley]

I considered one of these myself, they are nice looking, expensive though. From the images, it looks like they changed the way it's mounted. The only apprehension I have is trying to reach up over the loader arm and then down the back of the guard to pull the handle to release the guard. Do you find it not a problem? I seen that Messick's is now offering guards now as well.

My pics really do not showcase their work trust me. Absolutely flawless!!
I see what your saying about having to reach behind the guard to get access to the release mechanism but it doesn't bother me and I certainly wouldn't consider it a problem. Just my opinion however. I haven't seen the grill guards from Messicks but when I was looking last fall I did hear Kubota had them on their radar. Would be nice to see if anyone has one.

 

[GrizBota]

Indeed both grill guards above look great. Glad to hear about a stand up company doing what they can to make things right. That is so rare anymore. I’m guessing it’s a smaller family owned company.

The one Landris posted is pretty neat given it was custom fabricated.

Nice work on both side of the commercial and customer fabrication shown here.

I recently installed a grill guard from 5Eleven Designz on my L3830. It’s pretty decent as well. It could have used a couple more fastening points at the top to keep it from vibrating. I’ll fix that when it moves enough to make noise.

Here’s a picture of it.

 

[Buckley]

Indeed both grill guards above look great. Glad to hear about a stand up company doing what they can to make things right. That is so rare anymore. I’m guessing it’s a smaller family owned company.

The one Landris posted is pretty neat given it was custom fabricated.

Nice work on both side of the commercial and customer fabrication shown here.

I recently installed a grill guard from 5Eleven Designz on my L3830. It’s pretty decent as well. It could have used a couple more fastening points at the top to keep it from vibrating. I’ll fix that when it moves enough to make noise.

Here’s a picture of it. View attachment 101523

Also looks to be very dialled in. Nice work 5.11

 

[MOOTS]

Another happy Lown customer here. They are also members @lownperformance .

 

[lynnmor]

Some manufacturers of grill guards think that the headlights shine only straight ahead. The openings block all light that would shine to the side, up and down. IMO the openings should be considerably larger that the headlamps.

 

[GrizBota]

Some manufacturers of grill guards think that the headlights shine only straight ahead. The openings block all light that would shine to the side, up and down. IMO the openings should be considerably larger that the headlamps.

Good point. Mine looks like it must be for straight ahead headlights. The two blank spots that could have had openings are about 4 inches wide. Each one has a stock about 1.25 inch diameter pipe under it. Fortunately, I don’t use my tractor when it’s dark (no snow plow duties if any consequence). The few times I’ve played with the headlights, I’ve noticed that even without a grill guard with the FEL on, the head lights are blocked fairly effectively.

 

[Landris]

Yes sir it was UPS, expensive brokerage fees. I did find out a few months after this that we (Canadians) can do whats called a self clear through your local CBSA and they charge only the GST for the date the item clears customs. Lown will ship using other methods but Im sure you would need call and talk with them for anyone reading this FYI.
That grill guard looks great buddy, good job. Looks real clean. Is it 2 separate pcs or does it tuck behind the brush guard? Looks nice either way!!!

I worked for Canada Customs years ago as a summer student. That's when I realized just how bad UPS is. The thing is they try to make it look like they're doing you a favour by paying the "duties and taxes" for you then charging a brokerage fee. It's the brokerage fee which is exorbitant. Typically there is no duty on most consumer goods from the US, it's just HST that the CRA charge (but not always). So UPS charges you the HST and then a terribly high brokerage fee, and if you don't pay it you don't get your order.
Anytime I order from the US I ask how it is shipped, if it's UPS I always say no unless they can ship it another way. I prefer USPS (US Postal Service) as I just pay the HST at the post office when I pick up the package (and even then I'm not always charged it).
Years ago I ordered a food plot harrow for the back of my ATV from the US, they said there would be no additional charges beyond his shipping fee. It showed up via UPS with a $145CAD fee. I refused it and it was sent back. The manufacturer called and asked what happened so I told them. I asked if they could send it USPS, which they did and I ended up getting a phone call stating that USPS was likely going to save them over $10K a year in shipping costs.
Long story short, getting anyone but UPS to ship from the US to Canada.

Oh, and yes, the bush guard I built is 2 pieces. I wanted the top part set back so that the KUBOTA that's cut into the orange frame was visible. I've had an enquiry about making one for sale, so I guess someone likes it.

 

[B737]

Some manufacturers of grill guards think that the headlights shine only straight ahead. The openings block all light that would shine to the side, up and down. IMO the openings should be considerably larger that the headlamps.

tractor headlights are useless to begin with. Users who need lighting will depend on the lights mounted overhead on cab roof or ROPs. The loader and its attachment is going to block all the light from headlights anyway