A Simple, Inexpensive Way to Protect Your John Deere Garden Tractor Hood When Attaching a Loader
How one X700 Series owner solved a common issue with a $2 fix.
If you own a John Deere X700 Series or another John Deere garden tractor, you already know how much capability a front-end loader adds to your machine. Whether you’re running the Little Bull Loader or any other aftermarket loader attachment, attaching and detaching the loader can feel intimidating the first few times.
Recently, one of our Little Bull owners shared a simple, inexpensive hack that protects your tractor hood and side panels during the loader installation process. It’s clever, cheap, and worth passing along to the rest of the LBL community.
The Problem: Tight Clearances
The customer explained that he accidentally put a few scratches on the hood of his John Deere during the initial install of his loader.
This is something many garden tractor owners can relate to, especially those with the X700 Series, where the loader tower and hydraulic lines sit close to the hood while lining up the mounting points.
The Solution: $2 Worth of Pipe Insulation + Velcro Straps
His fix is surprisingly simple and extremely effective. “It’s simply a piece of pipe insulation and the pictured velcro strap (only about $1 each).”
That’s it. No tools, no modifications, no permanent changes to your loader or tractor.
How it works:
Cut a small length of standard pipe insulation (the kind sold at any hardware store).
Wrap it around the loader arms or hydraulic lines where they come close to the tractor hood.
Secure with a Velcro strap.
Attach or remove the loader normally.
Remove the padding before you start operating the loader.
The foam insulation acts like a soft bumper, preventing accidental nicks or scratches if the loader arms shift slightly during alignment.
Why This Hack Works So Well
This approach is ideal for:
New Little Bull owners still learning the attachment rhythm
John Deere X700 Series operators dealing with tight tower clearances
Anyone who installs their loader solo
Owners who want to protect the finish on a pristine or restored tractor
Those who simply appreciate a cheap, low-tech solution that works
And because the insulation and straps are removable, you’re not adding clutter to the loader arms during actual operation.
A Reminder: Practice Makes Perfect
The more you attach and detach your Little Bull Loader, the easier it becomes. Most owners find that after just a few cycles, they can do the process confidently without assistants, and without coming anywhere near the hood.
Still, inexpensive protective padding like this is excellent peace of mind, especially if your tractor is in showroom condition or you’re working in a tight garage or barn.
Have a Tip of Your Own? We Want to Share It!
We love when the LBL community shares smart ideas that make life easier for other garden tractor owners. If you have a tip, mod, or DIY improvement, whether for loader attachments, grapples, or quick-attach upgrades, send it our way.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your John Deere X700 Series garden tractor doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Sometimes, the best solutions cost just a couple of dollars and a few minutes of creativity. Thanks again to the LBL owner who shared this clever tip!