RotaryCutter - protection Rubber vs Steel

[rockyridgefarm]

I am going to get a cutter, and the M&W unit has rubber protectors for thrown objects. As my beautiful wife is the primary operator, I want to be sure it has good protection.

Does the rubber hold up? Is it a waste of $$?

I figure that I could replace it with chains later, if it does pretty well.

I was quoted $849 for a BushHog Squealer 600, no protection vs. $785 for the M&W with the rubber.

 

[soarkrebel]

I've got the factory rubber still on my woods. it really doesnt hold up that great. i have had to repair it three times in less than a year. i sewed a rip in it with safety wire and it's only a matter of time before it rips.

I am going to build a chain protector soon. i just need to buy chain and get started. the chain will hold up much better to the rigors a cutter takes.
Now i am only going to put it on the front. the rear guard is beat up to so i am probably going to just take it off.

i would go with the chain.

 

[icat]

I have the Bush Hog Squeeler 600 and as you mentioned - it doesn't have any protection. The vast majority (maybe even all) of my "cutting" is done out in the pasture where no one is around. As such, the need for "protection" hasn't reared it's ugly head. I spoke to my dealer about rubber verses chains. His comment - if I recall correctly - was that the rubber doesn't last long so they don't recommend it. He said to go with chains if I really felt I needed protection - but then said there wasn't a chain set offered by Bush Hog.

By the way, I haven't had the Bush Hog long but I've already put it through some pretty tough workouts. I'm very pleased with the performance so far. The little cutter seems to like to run it's chompers on the 2" Huisache trees in the pasture. Eats 'em up real good!

 

[kensfarm]

I remember someone posting that the rubber guard would tear up pretty fast when cutting rough/hard material.. small trees, etc.

That M&W cutter looks exactly like the medium duty TW60 Rhino brand.. I've gotten quotes from $1800 to $2150 when I was researching cutters. I wonder if the specs match up.. if that is the case.. I'd go w/ the M&W.. & buy a set of chains w/ the saved $ /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[JohnMiller3]

<font color="blue">...replace it with chains later... </font>

Hi Mike,

If you're just cutting grassy materials, no brush but field grass... the mat material will hold up some what and provide a degree of protection...

Once you get "serious" with the cutter and start on 1-2" woody material consistently... I'd give the mat material ~~ an hour or two to last... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Be nice to your wife and you too... get at least the front chains to protect the operator... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[cchoate]

I got some 3/16" chain and a 6' piece of 2" angle iron. Cut the angle iron to fit front & back of cutter. Cut the chain up, welded all together and saved $60 in the process. I never tried rubber, why spend the $ if you will get chains down the road.

 

[Chief]

Buy the cutter with the chains. The rubber is little protection if much of any. It is not worth the risk to you or your wife. My Uncle nearly had an eye taken out when his bush hog threw a rock out the front when he was looking behind. It never would have happened if he had chains installed. I wouldn't run the pto without the safety shields in place, nor would I run a rotary cutter without chains in place either. Not bombarding you....... just don't want to see or hear about you or your wife being injured. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif