Rotary Mower Guards

[JimBinMI]

Hey All,

Want to know from those of you that use rotary cutters and if you use guards on them. Talked to someone about the Woods XT 148 and he said that it would cut cleaner without front and rear guards. As long as you were mowing aways from people. Said that the front guard can mash down the growth and it might not get cut.

Most opinions welcome! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif[/img]

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

[wen]

Hope this was not the same dealer that sold you the BLUE tractor. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Guards are required on front and rear for all commercial applications of rotary mowers in all states.

An average size rock thrown by a rotary mower will break out a windshield at 200 feet distance without guards.
A friend of mine was parked over 75 ft from a lot that was being mowed and they broke his windshield with a rock.

Chain guards have all of the advantages and none of the disadvantages. They are expensive, but last a very long time but many mowers use really poor design to hold the chain guards. Bush Hog does a good job.

Guess if you don't wear a seatbelt while mowing on level ground, it serves you right to not have guards on the mower so the rock will hit you in the back of the head and you won't see it coming. One more time your widow is going to have the unpleasant job of finding another tractor operator after you are gone. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[Bird]

JimBinMi, I have no doubt your dealer is right; probably cut faster and cleaner without the guards, and the very first time I mowed with a rotary mower it didn't have guards, and when that thing threw a pretty good sized stick under the tractor and about 75' out in front of me, and I thought of what it could have done if it had hit a tire as it went under . . .. Well, you get the picture. The chain guards won't mash down the vegetation as much as the rubber belting type, but it sure is nice to have one or the other.

Bird

[JimBinMI]

Wen,

Do you wear a full face helmet and motocross style protective gear when on your tractor? Oh and an intercom system so your significant other can get your attention when needed?

And also, don't the rops fold down for mowing so you can get under limbs, and wouldn't it be dangerous to be belted in with the rops down?

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

[JimBinMI]

Bird,

Thank you for your respectful answer to my serious question! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

[gordon]

I have chain guards on mine and I use them!!!
I remember when I was a boy and my father was mowing with the Roof mower he was at least 75 feet from me and it slung a rock and it hit my right bicep leaving a big black and blue. Just think if that rock would have hit me just6-8 inches higher---I'm a hard head but not that hard.
After that I realized why he wouldn't let anyone very close when using that mower--no safety guards open blade thats the way it was made. It did make me stay way far away anytime after that and even to this day I'm always keeping an eye on anyone using a mower close to me.
So there is a better reason to have the safety equipment in place than not. Your life might depend on it!!!!!!!!!!!
To big a gamble for me to run without it. [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I work with alot of different pieces of equipment that are very dangerous and I have a very simple rule that I live by.
I start the day with 10 fingers and 10 toes and I will end the day with the same amount.
But to each his own.
Gordon

[Hawgee]

Make sure the nieghbor does not see blue paint on the rock he picks out of his living room.

Am told around here that the chain guards allow for more air movement and breaking up clods. We are a little damp from rain or dew and the grasses are heavy. I will try the chain gaurds. Possibly without a seat belt.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

[PaulB]

Oh boy, I haven't even bought my rotary cutter yet and already you guys have me worried. Mine does not have any guard on it. I am going to e-mail the company about an optional set if they make one, but if not is there such a thing as a universal set I can buy? Do you have to drill holes into the deck to mount the guard - seems like you would have to. Will be a chore - the deck is I think 10 guage metal.

[JimBinMI]

PaulB,

For clarification, the Woods XT148 4' rotary mower that I gave you the price of $595 on was without guards. For rubber front and rear guards add $69 and for chain add $200.
I know you are already set on a cutter but I just wanted to straighten out the pricing.

Your 'Bud' [img]/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif[/img], JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!

[JimBinMI]

Hawgee,

OK all you goofballs...I never said that I would rotary cut without a seatbelt! [img]/w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

JimBinMI

We boys and our toys!