Rotary Cutter New Bush Hog Chain guard necessary???

[NetworkMD]

Hello all

I am buying a new 8 foot 3 point hitch bush hog, a front chain guard is available for $175 extra, I will be pulling it with a cab tractor is the chain a good investment to help keep from being hit from a rock or other debris being thrown out the front or is this not necessary? The dealer did say they did not sell many of the guards?

Thanks

 

[RollTideRam]

Is a back window for the cab cheaper than $175? You don't have to have it, but I added it to my lx5. JC

 

[TedLaRue]

I have a smaller machine (5' brush hog) without a cab, and I've brush-hogged the worst of the worst (thick brush, small trees, stumps, rocks, etc.). I've never had a problem with debris thrown from the front of the brush hog hitting me.

RollTideRam's post may come from a different experience, though.

 

[Soundguy]

Whether chain guard or other guard.. it's not necescary.. but sure is reccomended for saf-ER operation.. etc.

In the event of an accident, it may at least demonstrate due dilligence..

Soundguy

 

[JoeinTX]

Front and rear (if ready-made available) guards are not necessary but very, very good to have. They are kind of like jumper-cables........only wished you'd had them a few times, but, are nice to have when things go sideways.


I welded front chain links to an older shredder I had and used it for years but when I bought a new one I bought the factory front/rear chain guards for it and don't regret the extra money at all. They do a very good job of slowing down ejected debris preventing injury and damage.

 

[jbrumberg]

Is a back window for the cab cheaper than $175? You don't have to have it, but I added it to my lx5. JC

Think of the guard as a "one shot" insurance cost. I have been hit by "shrapnel" (tree pieces) while operating my rotary cutter. Jay

 

[RoyJackson]

I'd put it across the back of the cutter at least.
I operate my cutter so the forward end is a bit lower then the aft end. I'd suggest it's more likely something flying out the front would be deflected downward, under the tractor,
The guard on the aft end would be to protect your neighbors and others.

 

[SkunkWerX]

I'd put it across the back of the cutter at least.
I operate my cutter so the forward end is a bit lower then the aft end. I'd suggest it's more likely something flying out the front would be deflected downward, under the tractor,
The guard on the aft end would be to protect your neighbors and others.

I'm like Roy (with the exception of that hat ).
I was always taught to have the front of the mower/cutter a bit lower than the rear. And, as Roy said, the main issue I have encountered is flying chunks thrown forward, under the tractor. They don't hurt anything, but can be unnerving when you don't expect it.

 

[jbrumberg]

I set up my rotary cutter with the forward blade cutting
1"- 2" lower to the ground than the aft blade as recommended in my owners' manual. Although forward thrown material is forced downward it can bounce but it appears that the ricochet does deplete the flying objects of some of the forward energy. Don't objects exit out of a "full speed" rotary cutter at over 200 mph especially from the rear?

It took some getting used to, but now I really like Roy's hat !

Jay

 

[LoneCowboy]

We mow commercially
We run chains on everything. (I think FWJ does too and he mows a lot more acreage than we do).
Makes a BIG difference on what gets tossed.
I've seen stuff (without chains) fly over a couple hundred feet.
The furthest I've seen something fly with chains on is about 15 feet.
HUGE difference

worth the 200 or so dollars in my opinion, front and back.