A guard member for a fluid actuated rod and cylinder assembly of a machine having front end assembly including a dipper stick, a working implement pivotally connected to the dipper stick, an arm member pivotally connected to the dipper stick and cooperable with the implement to grapple articles therebetween and such rod and cylinder assembly for angularly displacing the arm member relative to the dipper stick, generally consisting of an elongated article mountable on the free end of the rod member and projecting along the length thereof when mounted thereon.