I think most of us are not as flexible as we used to be! lol! I know I am not! ---- gotta cheat a bit when I weld now days too!
Pump guards are kinda needed, no matter how careful you are----your gonna bump something!! lol! it just happens!
Didnt have one on the TD-9 dozer I had ----ya had a few close calls with it! The TD-9 loader I had was a big front cover on it ----it was made out of 1/4 or 1/2 inch stuff punched with round holes for air flow to rad. and covered the whole front of the tractor.
They do save the pump and rad. from damage.