Bushhog driveline shield necessary?

[USMCGrizz]

Bought this Squealer SQ600 used. Driveline shaft rusted together, zerc fittings broken and shield damaged so I had to cut it off. Now that I have replaced zerc fittings, cleaned and oiled shaft so it slides easily do I really need that shield replaced? i have owned bushhogs in the past with no shield so this is a new thing for me.

 

[RickB]

Not having a PTO shield is a safety hazard. How well you manage that hazard depends entirely on you.

A missing PTO shield can allow long grass to wrap on the PTO shaft, but that can be managed in several ways.

 

[boggen]

do they work without the pto shield yes. and run just fine.

on other hand "safety issue" granted no one is going to be back behind tractor when a rotatory cutter is hooked up, expecct to disconnect or connect one up. unlike say a post hole digger, were a helper may try to walk up to the post hole digger to try and wiggle / move it around.

the issue is the PTO shaft is still dangerous on a rotatory cutter. a loose shoe lace, or something else, and your ground meet. i could see more issue of dragging a air hose around to blow unit off, or a garden hose to spray unit off. and hose getting grabbed, and you getting tangled up and off you go to become ground meet.

PTO shields are meant to stop from stuff from getting wrapped around the PTO metal portions of the shaft (within reason). a PTO shield can help keep from getting grease all over ya via PTO shaft.

================
with above said, for me, post hole digger, rotatory cutter, both do not have shields on there PTO shafts, and the belly mower both covers for the belts / pullies on both sides are removed. ""it is a death trap waiting to happen"" but it is what it is. my mom and myself are only ones allowed to drive the tractor. i have told other folks that i knew were good knowledge folks and use to machinery flat out no, on getting on the tractors. due to safety issues. ya i know i was rude to them but not worth risk of someone not use to machine and getting into an ugly situation.

i don't mind risking my own life. but not about to toss risking someone's elses life.

 

[Poopdeck Pappy]

Boggen, I agree. I have my driveline shields installed, but removed the plastic guard that covers the slip clutch assembly (because it's darn near impossible to adjust the slip clutch with that cover in place). My rule is simple: I never, ever, ever get out of the tractor seat with the PTO running. Ever. That missing shield can't hurt me if the PTO is not turning.

 

[bikerdib]

This is a loaded question. In today's litigation prone socity no one is going to say that a safety device is totally un-necessary. Only an individual himself can make that call. I personally would never go anywhere near a rotary cutter while the drive is engaged.

That being said, I had a conversation about this matter just a few days ago with a tractor salesman. He told me about a woman that was doing some shredding years ago with a long jacket on, unfortunately unbuttoned. You know where this is going, the jacket got caught in the driveshaft. This was before the days of seat shutoff switches. The results were "final".

 

[flusher]

Bought this Squealer SQ600 used. Driveline shaft rusted together, zerc fittings broken and shield damaged so I had to cut it off. Now that I have replaced zerc fittings, cleaned and oiled shaft so it slides easily do I really need that shield replaced? i have owned bushhogs in the past with no shield so this is a new thing for me.

Ahh, let's see. $150 for a new pto drive shaft with shield vs trip to the ER, or to the OR for amputation of a mangled arm or leg, or, possibly, to the morgue?

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

Good luck and be careful out there.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto this

read this mans posts!

Not having a PTO shield is a safety hazard. How well you manage that hazard depends entirely on you.

A missing PTO shield can allow long grass to wrap on the PTO shaft, but that can be managed in several ways.

 

[MoKelly]

The way I have always looked at this stuff is --- you never need it until you need it. If you need it, any prior cost or inconvenience will seem trivial.

MoKelly

 

[CobyRupert]

A properly installed PTO shield hides the fact that the PTO shaft and blades are still spinning (after PTO has been turned off) and causes a INCREASED DANGER of someone being injured by the still spinning blades.

Pick your poison.

 

[rekees4300]

do I really need that shield replaced?

Don't be a fool! Of course the shield must be replaced. My mother-in-law lost her right leg below the knee because no shield.