DIY window screens?

[pamtnman]

Anyone here made your own DIY window screens for your dozer? If yes, how did they work out, was it harder than it looks (does not look that hard).

 

[.RC.]

What do you mean by "window screens"?

All I see machine windows have is glass, no screens.

 

[pamtnman]

What do you mean by "window screens"?

All I see machine windows have is glass, no screens.

Like these https://www.brokentractor.com/p/john-deere-dozer-brush-screen-set-pv680-pv680/

Screens are necessary on machines used for logging, because of tree branches etc

 

[digger doug]

Are you the only operator ?
DIY would be problematic if an employee get's hurt or killed.

 

[CM1995]

Welcome to the Forums pman! Glad to have you.

I am guessing you want to use this dozer in the woods? Is this a hobby machine or a machine you earn a living with?

$2675 isn't bad considering the steel, mesh and hardware is probably 1/2 that.

 

[pamtnman]

Thanks gents. Oh this is a business machine. No hobby about it. The steel mesh and the strapping used in the frame costs about fifty bucks. I just bought them, thinking about making my own. The really nice ones sold commercially are beautifully done, with drilled holes for the individual wires. I don’t see the real practical advantage to that on the side screens. Front, rear, yes. Thank you guys for the input, much appreciated

 

[skyking1]

Be careful how you attach them, the ROPS is an engineered and certified device.

 

[digger doug]

Thanks gents. Oh this is a business machine. No hobby about it. The steel mesh and the strapping used in the frame costs about fifty bucks. I just bought them, thinking about making my own. The really nice ones sold commercially are beautifully done, with drilled holes for the individual wires. I don’t see the real practical advantage to that on the side screens. Front, rear, yes. Thank you guys for the input, much appreciated

My main point is....Do you have paid employees running the machine ?

 

[pamtnman]

Yeah SkyKing, that’s an excellent point. Any deviation from the pre -drilled holes probably results in a ROPS that’s no longer OSHA approved. It is a very good warning, because in the logging world some machines are up-armored like the military “hillbilly armor” by necessity, not necessarily by some degreed engineer plan. While these improvements are unquestionably protective of the machine and the man in it, some of them might involve attaching at key stress points that weaken it and undermine the purpose of said improvements. Going to take more thought than I anticipated. Thanks.
DiggerDoug, only contractors, not employees. If they don’t have their own machine, then they rent ours at a discounted rate. Overall I think the ROPS is the only regulated part of field safety here. Adding additional safety features can’t hurt with the bureaucrats.

 

[skyking1]

you are very welcome. If you go into the job knowing you want to preserve that ROPS entire, then it is easy to do. You can even put some support up from the chassis of the machine, rather than hang it all on those holes. The less it loosens up and rattles, the better.

 

[CM1995]

DiggerDoug, only contractors, not employees. If they don’t have their own machine, then they rent ours at a discounted rate. Overall I think the ROPS is the only regulated part of field safety here. Adding additional safety features can’t hurt with the bureaucrats.

What type of business are you in?

 

[pamtnman]

What type of business are you in?

Land, timber, oil, gas and mineral rights. Small business, kept small on purpose because I enjoy hunting, fishing, trapping and my wife is hot.

 

[pamtnman]

you are very welcome. If you go into the job knowing you want to preserve that ROPS entire, then it is easy to do. You can even put some support up from the chassis of the machine, rather than hang it all on those holes. The less it loosens up and rattles, the better.

Again good point. I think the screen sets come with pole for each side. I just can’t spend the money on something that looks like we can fabricate it in an hour.

 

[skyking1]

Yeah I'm not that fast but I still like making things and agree with you.

 

[Kyfarm]

Anyone here made your own DIY window screens for your dozer? If yes, how did they work out, was it harder than it looks (does not look that hard).

I made these with material I had laying around. If I had enough of the expanded metal I'd have used that for all but didn't. Even so the vertical pickets work way better than nothing. I'm absolutely sure though that the holes I drilled so the panels are removable make the ROPs non-certifiable any more. I didn't care though cause a D31 isn't gonna be in a mine or construction site....

I would definitely do it again although I couldn't do it by myself anymore, my shoulders are destroyed

 

[Mcrafty1]

I suppose OSHA may frown on drilling holes in the columns, but in my opinion making metal framework and bolting them on (filling the bolt holes and adding rigidity) would actually improve the strength of the structure. I'm no engineer though, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

 

[chidog]

I used rock screen, and think it was 1/2 thick bar don't remember the width 3 inch or so.
Welded brackets on the ROPS just like the dealer would.
Made the window frame from the bar, and welded the screen to it. Turned out great.

 

[pamtnman]

I made these with material I had laying around. If I had enough of the expanded metal I'd have used that for all but didn't. Even so the vertical pickets work way better than nothing. I'm absolutely sure though that the holes I drilled so the panels are removable make the ROPs non-certifiable any more. I didn't care though cause a D31 isn't gonna be in a mine or construction site....

I would definitely do it again although I couldn't do it by myself anymore, my shoulders are destroyedView attachment 306695

Drive-through window on the one side, prison on the other! I like this. The screens are fabricated to fit into pre drilled holes and held in place with stock posts that also attach at pre drilled holes. But like you say, if you aren’t running it in some heavily regulated environment, it should be fine. It would work for us

 

[pamtnman]

I used rock screen, and think it was 1/2 thick bar don't remember the width 3 inch or so.
Welded brackets on the ROPS just like the dealer would.
Made the window frame from the bar, and welded the screen to it. Turned out great.

I like the rock screen better than the pretty flimsy screen material I bought.

 

[digger doug]

What happens if you roll it on the side, can you still get out ?