Machine with hood guard assembly and flexible iso-mount

Abstract

A machine includes a frame extending between a first end and a second end, a work tool supported by the frame proximate the first end, and a counterweight supported by the frame proximate the second end. The machine further includes a hood supported by the frame and a hood guard assembly supported by the counterweight and configured to protect the hood from damage. The machine further includes a flexible iso-mount interposed between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight so as to provide a non-rigid connection between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A machine, comprising:
 a frame extending between a first end and a second end,   a work tool supported by the frame proximate the first end,   a counterweight supported by the frame proximate the second end,   a hood supported by the frame,   a hood guard assembly supported by the counterweight, the hood guard assembly being configured to protect the hood from damage, and   a flexible iso-mount interposed between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight so as to provide a non-rigid connection between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight.   
     
     
         2 . The machine of  claim 1 , the iso-mount including a head portion and the hood guard assembly including a mounting bracket, the head portion being positioned between the counterweight and the mounting bracket so as to define a space between the counterweight and the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The machine of  claim 1 , the hood guard assembly including a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, the iso-mount being a first iso-mount positioned between the first mounting bracket and the counterweight, and further comprising:
 a second iso-mount positioned between the second mounting bracket and the counterweight.   
     
     
         4 . The machine of  claim 1 , the counterweight including a bore, and the iso-mount being at least partially positioned in the bore. 
     
     
         5 . The machine of  claim 4 , the iso-mount including a head portion and a body portion, the head portion being positioned between the counterweight and the hood guard assembly and the body portion being positioned at least partially in the bore. 
     
     
         6 . The machine of  claim 1 , the counterweight including an upper surface and a lower surface, and a bore extending between the upper surface and the lower surface,
 the iso-mount being a first iso-mount positioned at least partially in the bore proximate the upper surface, and further comprising:   a second iso-mount positioned at least partially in the bore between the upper surface and the lower surface.   
     
     
         7 . The machine of  claim 6 , the first and second iso-mounts each including a head portion and a body portion, the head portion of the first iso-mount extending beyond the upper surface and the head portion of the second iso-mount being recessed from the lower surface. 
     
     
         8 . The machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener securing the hood guard assembly, iso-mount, and counterweight together. 
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 1 , the iso-mount being formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         10 . A kit, comprising:
 a hood guard assembly configured to protect the hood of a machine, and   a plurality of flexible iso-mounts,   the hood guard assembly and the iso-mounts being configured to together be secured to a counterweight of the machine with the iso-mounts interposed between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight so as to provide a non-rigid connection between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight.   
     
     
         11 . The kit of  claim 10 , each iso-mount including a head portion and the hood guard assembly including a mounting bracket, the head portion of each iso-mount being configured for positioning between the counterweight and the mounting bracket so as to define a space between the counterweight and the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The kit of  claim 10 , the hood guard assembly including a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket, the iso-mounts being configured to be positioned between the first and second mounting brackets and the counterweight. 
     
     
         13 . The kit of  claim 10 , the iso-mounts each including a head portion and a body portion, the head portions being configured to be between the counterweight and the hood guard assembly and the body portions being configured to be at least partially positioned in a bore of the counterweight. 
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of iso-mounts includes a first plurality of upper iso-mounts and a second plurality of lower iso-mounts, the upper iso-mounts being configured to be positioned proximate a first end of a bore in the counterweight and the lower iso-mounts being configured to be positioned in the bore between the first end and a second end of the bore. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 10 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured for securing the hood guard assembly, the iso-mounts, and counterweight together. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 10 , each iso-mount being formed of an elastomeric material. 
     
     
         17 . A method of attaching a hood guard assembly to a machine having a counterweight, comprising:
 positioning the hood guard assembly proximate the counterweight,   positioning a flexible iso-mount between the counterweight and the hood guard assembly, and   securing the hood guard assembly, iso-mount, and counterweight together in a manner such that the iso-mounts provide a non-rigid connection between the hood guard assembly and the counterweight.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein positioning an iso-mount includes positioning a head portion of the iso-mount between the counterweight and a mounting bracket of the hood guard assembly so as to define a space between the counterweight and the mounting bracket. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 positioning a body portion of the iso-mount at least partially into a bore in the counterweight.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the iso-mount is a first iso-mount, and further comprising:
 positioning a second iso-mount between the counterweight and the hood guard assembly.