Groan. While back grading on one of the mountain roads I've been cutting I felt a couple of bumps. Yes, bent the heck out of the engine cover panel. As you can see in the first pic I had to cut down about 10' on the hillside given the extreme slope to keep on virgin ground. This has left a lot of big tree roots exposed high up on the bank...which contributed to the damage when I came in close for grading. I don't think this is something a body shop would straighten and paint. Any thoughts on where I might locate a good used or, if necessary, new body panel. The good news is that no engine components were damaged underneath the body panel. Thanks for suggestions.
New comes from Kubota, used from a junkyard such as Vanderhaags. Or just do what 8 out of 10 contractors would do; huff about it for a day, yell at the guy who did it, complain to the wife about careless employees, and leave it. As long as it opens and closes and stays shut . . .
I would leave it alone until you’re done grading your road out, and then I would look for a good used one…
FWIW the same side cover for my 305E2 is $1400.
If it’s just aesthetic, I wouldn’t worry about it. As a ground guy, I’d be hesitant to get too close with that scar
It's almost $2,000 for my 305C . . .
$1374.97 + theftation so closer to $1500 OTD. That's crazy the C model cost another $500 bucks.
When did you price yours? I have noticed that Cat parts prices have in some cases doubled in the last two years. The radiator on that 305C was between 5 and 6 hundred in 2020, it is $1100 now.
A couple of minutes ago.