New Kubota L3901 owner, my take on a grill guard/extra lighting

[mike0000]

Hi all,

I recently bought a new L3901, HST, loader and Land Pride grapple. While I was waiting on the grapple (back ordered) I wanted to improve the radiator protection. I decided to incorporate a led spot/flood combo also. Pretty happy with the results.

Mike.

 

[johnsayen]

Nice job!

 

[mcfarmall]

I like it!

 

[mike0000]

Thank you for the compliments!

Mike

 

[bbxlr8]

That looks REALLY good (very clean job)!

A couple of comments and questions as I have been looking to do one myself:

1. I especially like how see-through with that expanded grid & in black. Where did you get the material?
2. For your cross pieces - It is a top view but are they a T shaped?
3. I have the same and while I can see how useful the light bar will be, I am always looking through that space when using the grapple or loader. I ended up getting high power 100W LED side by side bulbs for the stock headlamps and I am still working on a solution for area & spot lighting (leaning towards putting it up on the ROPS) Your setup would really work instead as I do fold mine for inside storage... Have you used it yet with light in place and any comment on working view?

Thanks!

 

[mike0000]

That looks REALLY good (very clean job)!

A couple of comments and questions as I have been looking to do one myself:

1. I especially like how see-through with that expanded grid & in black. Where did you get the material?
2. For your cross pieces - It is a top view but are they a T shaped?
3. I have the same and while I can see how useful the light bar will be, I am always looking through that space when using the grapple or loader. I ended up getting high power 100W LED side by side bulbs for the stock headlamps and I am still working on a solution for area & spot lighting (leaning towards putting it up on the ROPS) Your setup would really work instead as I do fold mine for inside storage... Have you used it yet with light in place and any comment on working view?

Thanks!

Thanks for the compliment!

I found the materials at Home Depot, (mesh was 24”x24”) the cross pieces are just angle iron. I recessed the LED light bar with two additional flat bar pieces of metal welded to the top angle iron piece. The lower section is the tricky part, due to the tilt forward ability needed for lifting the hood. If you can weld and do some fabrication it’s not difficult to build. I do have to reach around the guard from the side to use the tilt forward feature.
The tractor‘s brand new to me, I made the guard while waiting on the grapple to come in (it was back ordered when I ordered the tractor) so I can’t really say if I gave up much in visibility, so far it hasn’t bothered me. This is my first grapple, I‘m amazed at what it can do, I have a lot to learn, on how to operate it efficiently. If you need better pictures or have any other quest let me know.

 

[bbxlr8]

Thanks for the info and posting - I can weld but am in the "shallow end of the pool" and learning. Earlier this year I went with an Eastwood multifunction 200i specifically to keep my old ford mmm going and fix my old trailer this winter. (Selection was based on budget and hobby level vs pro...) I am finding SO many other uses that I can't believe I waited this long to get one. I felt that way with the tractor; specifically about the BH controls but it has become second nature now

I need to get some protection on the guard before I get into a lot of brush. I have mostly used grapple for logs and stumps (a LOT)

Do you have any other side or perhaps back pics before you mounted it?

 

[mike0000]

Thanks for the info and posting - I can weld but am in the "shallow end of the pool" and learning. Earlier this year I went with an Eastwood multifunction 200i specifically to keep my old ford mmm going and fix my old trailer this winter. (Selection was based on budget and hobby level vs pro...) I am finding SO many other uses that I can't believe I waited this long to get one. I felt that way with the tractor; specifically about the BH controls but it has become second nature now

I need to get some protection on the guard before I get into a lot of brush. I have mostly used grapple for logs and stumps (a LOT)

Do you have any other side or perhaps back pics before you mounted it?

I‘m no pro welder either, pretty good with the follow up grinder though.
I took a few more pictures. I hope they help. One front closeup and two from thebackside.

Mike

 

[mrmurph1965]

That looks like a really clean job, love it. Quick question, are you running ballast in your tires on the L3901?
I just bought one and have that scheduled for this week.

 

[mike0000]

That looks like a really clean job, love it. Quick question, are you running ballast in your tires on the L3901?
I just bought one and have that scheduled for this week.

Thanks for the compliment, yes tires are loaded, I also have been leaving my brush hog on for extra ballast.

Mike

 

[TX Chris]

Nice work. Any specific reason you chose not to extend the expanded metal higher to protect the LED from the inevitable brush stabbing the light?

 

[mike0000]

Nice work. Any specific reason you chose not to extend the expanded metal higher to protect the LED from the inevitable brush stabbing the light?

No, not really. My main concern was protecting the grill/radiator.

Mike

 

[clenhart]

I‘m no pro welder either, pretty good with the follow up grinder though.
I took a few more pictures. I hope they help. One front closeup and two from thebackside.

Mike


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Thanks for posting. I'm about to tackle the same on a MX5400 and the ideas help...

 

[mike0000]

Thanks for posting. I'm about to tackle the same on a MX5400 and the ideas help...

Be sure to post photos!

Mike