Step By Step Install Of 2305 Bro-tek Skid Plate

31864 Views 22 Replies 9 Participants Last post by dellwas, Mar 18, 2011

Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · Oct 26, 2009 (Edited)

I finally got around to installing my Bro-Tek Skid Plate for the 2305. As requested, here are pics of the install:

Skid plate & parts that came with it.

First, bolt the back of the skid plate to the hitch. All parts were supplied, except I added two thin washers to keep the plate from touching the tranny.

The eye bolts openings were too small. I had to enlarge them slightly.

Bro-Tek states that the plate is not compatible with the MMM. He is correct. I had to remove the MMM support arms.
I could have possibly left the arms in place: as you see in the above pic, the square tubing fit, but the lock nuts were barely threaded. I suppose I could buy slightly longer eye bolts. For best results, I removed the arms.

I switched out the cotter pins for loop pins for easier re-install.

Next, loop eyelets onto pegs, attach the supplied square tubing, and tighten bolts. Then run the supplied self-tapping screws into the square tubing. NOTE: I NEVER have to drill any holes into the tractor. The tractor itself remained completely unaltered.

The finished product.

Grand total, I spent 1 hour installing the skid plate, which included: setup, gathering tools, taking pictures, altering the eyelets, changing the cotter pins, cleaning up the floor, and putting away my tools.

I imagine it'll add less than 10 minutes to installing/removing the Mid-Mount Mower (much of which will be gathering and putting away tools).

This winter I will alter the back mount to a slide-on version. I will cut a slot back to the rear hole which will allow me to slide it into place. This will eliminate one step of install/removal.

Below is a link to their install / owner's manual. (Their website only has the Kubota BX's manual, but they emailed a link to the 2305's manual)
http://www.electrichorizons.com/jd/Bro-Tek_JD-M-R-MMM_Skid Plate_instructionA.pdf

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smeagol

· #2 · Oct 26, 2009

Phoenix, nice work that plate looks great! I was going to ask if it was compatible with the MMM but you already ansawered my question. Do you think there might be any way to modify it to work with the mower as I notice there is already a hole in the plate for the driveshaft to go through. I wonder if you could move the hooks that hold the plate on to the other side of the chassis somehow which would leave the pegs free for the mower hooks.

Do you lose the mower adjustement when you remove the support arms or is it just a matter of sitting these back in place?

Thanks for a very comprehensive set of photos of your install.....I'm going to try and fabricate one myself that is similar to the BroTek.

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Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 26, 2009 (Edited)

Hi Smeagol!

smeagol said:
I wonder if you could move the hooks that hold the plate on to the other side of the chassis somehow which would leave the pegs free for the mower hooks.

I went out and took another look: It wouldn't be hard to move the mounts to the inside (freeing up the pegs) without altering the tractor:
- You could easily make two L-shaped flat strips of metal with a large hole on one end of each (to go over the pegs) then bend them inward, connect them together in the middle, then mount the square tubing to them.
- Or you could simply mount the L-shaped brackets directly to the skid plate.
All of the above would work, but would lessen the strength of the front mount.
There are, of course, many other ways to attach the front, but most would require drilling into the tractor frame.

Here's a lousy Photoshop of my idea:

smeagol said:
Do you think there might be any way to modify it to work with the mower as I notice there is already a hole in the plate for the driveshaft to go through

The hole for the driveshaft may need to be elongated to allow for the vertical travel of the MMM, but should work.

smeagol said:
Do you lose the mower adjustement when you remove the support arms or is it just a matter of sitting these back in place?.

No, as long as you are careful not to spin the U-shaped mount brackets.

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smeagol

· #4 · Oct 26, 2009

That sounds like it would solve the problem of disconnecting the mower mounts all the time. Something I was thinking about was to connect the skid plate to the lift arms at the back and the MMM mount at the front somehow. Then the skid plate would be as easy as fitting the mower deck. I'm not sure this is entirely possible, but its something I'll look at when I make mine.

Thanks again for the photos detailing your work.

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Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 27, 2009

Be sure to show pics when you find time to do this project!

After re-reading my post, I decided that I am going to do the mods I mentioned. I won't get to it, though, for a month or two. I'll post my results when it's done.

Rodney in VA

· #6 · Oct 27, 2009

Phoenix125

Thanks for the well documented pics of your Bro-Tek Skid Plate install on your John Deere 2305. That was a very interesting and informative post. It is folks like you and posts like yours that make MTF the “go to” place for our many members and visitors. Thank you for your efforts. :fing32:

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JDFANATIC

· #7 · Oct 27, 2009

I made this a sticky.

Lakedweller

· #8 · Oct 28, 2009

Hey, Phoenix125,

Great photos of the skid plate install. :thanku:

Have you had occasion to attach a PTO-driven implement since you put the skid plate on? It looks like it might make PTO shaft hook-up a bit more difficult.

The plate is a desirable add-on, and goes on my short list. Thanks again.

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Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 28, 2009

Lakedweller,

I haven't tried to attach the MMM PTO shaft yet, but there is plenty of room to reach around the plate, and therefore, it shouldn't be hard to reach with your hands to connect the PTO.

I'm almost certain I can easily adapt the plate to work with the MMM. I'll work on it in a couple weeks and post my results.

I removed the plate in about 3 minutes today and attached my MMM (needed to mulch some leaves). Even if I'm unable to adapt the skid plate to work with the MMM simultaneously, it's well worth the 3 minutes!

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PA PLOW DAY

· #10 · Oct 28, 2009

phoenix,

i emailed the company for more info. can you tell us what the cost was for this set-up. i'm sure we would all like to know. thanks!

Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 28, 2009

I forgot to mention the price in my first post. The cost was $220 shipped from Canada Post to my house in central Michigan, USA.

According to their Pay-Pal account, they are located at:
MIRAMICHI, New Brunswick
E1V 6Z5
Canada

I ordered it on September 15, 2009. It was shipped on September 17th. It arrived 2 1/2 weeks later.

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PA PLOW DAY

· #12 · Oct 29, 2009

Phoenix125 said:
I forgot to mention the price in my first post. The cost was $220 shipped from Canada Post to my house in central Michigan, USA.

According to their Pay-Pal account, they are located at:
MIRAMICHI, New Brunswick
E1V 6Z5
Canada

I ordered it on September 15, 2009. It was shipped on September 17th. It arrived 2 1/2 weeks later.

thanks,

does it take that long to ship because it came from canada?

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Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 29, 2009

PA PLOW DAY said:
does it take that long to ship because it came from canada?

That's what I'm guessing. They used shipping with tracking ability in Canada, but as soon as it hit the US border, I could no longer track it. They warned me about that.

fresh-popcorn

· #14 · Feb 1, 2010

Great pics and info on the plate.

Quick question, is it worth to purchase the front skid plate? I haven't had a chance to check under my 2305 to see if there was anything under the front end to worry about.

Thanks

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Phoenix125

Discussion Starter · #15 · Feb 1, 2010 (Edited)

I haven't seen a need for a front skid plate. I know they make them for the Kubotas, but I'm not sure if they are even available for the JD2305.

papa smurf

· #16 · Feb 2, 2010

I saw somewhere that Bro-tek skid plates are sold on ebay, but I'm only finding that BH finger. Anybody got a link for the JD2305 skid plate? (After my adventure in the mud, I think I won't wait till 'after' i need one to get one)

fresh-popcorn

· #17 · Feb 2, 2010

Hey Papa Smurf, Bro-Tek current didnt have any listings on e-bay for the skid plate. I checked before I sent Richard a e-mail.
He said that he had two skid plates currently in stock as of today for the 2305.
I sent him a reply that I will be purchasing one of them along with a Thumb Attachment for the Back hoe, just send him an e-mail and he is pretty fast at responding.

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papa smurf

· #18 · Feb 2, 2010

How much was the skid plate?

fresh-popcorn

· #19 · Feb 2, 2010

$220 Shipped.

papa smurf

· #20 · Mar 4, 2010

i attempted to install my skid plate tonite and i gotta think it must be me... but things didn't line up right. The holes in the skid plate that are supposed to line up with that bar that goes across the frame at the midway point didnt. I think I'm gonna have to measure, mark, and drill new holes in the skid plate to make it work. Anybody else have this issue?

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