It's listed as a 'rock deflector' on mine, but ya definetely cannot put you hand down the chute with it on there.
Mine is on top of my tool box......chute plugged with heavy wet snow........and the guard installed.
I would never have guessed a rock deflector. It seems like a rock would just bounce around in there like a pinball machine. Up the chute, then back down and so on. I'm sure it's been tested and actually works, but it just seems to me that it wouldn't. :confused3:
We had about 4" of wet heavy snow today and I decided to use the backblade instead of the blower. I figured I'd be spending too much time cleaning the chute too. At least I finally got some seat time.