Reassembling rotary cutter driveshaft---do I need this plastic shield?

[Lumberdink]

I did pick up a used Woods X148 rotary cutter Friday after much searching and researching. It needed a little TLC, including a major cleanup on the slip clutch, changing the gear lube, greasing the fittings, sharpening the blades, etc. It made for a nice weekend project! These plastic driveshaft shields are a PITA when connecting the shaft to the PTO and they really get in the way when I grease the U-joints. I see a lot of rotary cutters without all the plastic in the way. Anything wrong with not reinstalling them? Is this just something we can thank Ralph Nader for?

 

[nikdfish]

Getting wrapped up by a PTO is no joke. Personally I'd say leave them on ...

The bell shaped guards have release points to let you move them out of the way for greasing.

Nick

 

[RoyJackson]

Those shields are a good safety feature, but not essential for the drive shaft operation.
No one on TBN is going to recommend not using a safety feature...but you are the operator of your equipment and you need to make your own decision.
As far as me...well, the end bell shape shield has come off my cutter's PTO (implement end) and I've never replaced it.

 

[blueriver]

I try to keep them all in place ... that being said, the one on my auger and my brush hog failed years ago so those two pieces of equipment don't have them any more.

This thread makes me wonder why I have not replaced them with new ones.

 

[AndyMA]

I did pick up a used Woods X148 rotary cutter Friday after much searching and researching. It needed a little TLC, including a major cleanup on the slip clutch, changing the gear lube, greasing the fittings, sharpening the blades, etc. It made for a nice weekend project! These plastic driveshaft shields are a PITA when connecting the shaft to the PTO and they really get in the way when I grease the U-joints. I see a lot of rotary cutters without all the plastic in the way. Anything wrong with not reinstalling them? Is this just something we can thank Ralph Nader for?

Have you ever seen any king of a rotating shaft injury? The person who gets hooked is sucked in so fast and hard that many of them are fatal. The ones that aren't are very messy.

It doesn't take much to get a piece of clothing, hair etc sucked into a rotating shaft.

In over 50 years of tractoring it has never happened to me, but I've seen it happen and it's a lot more blood and missing parts than my stomach can take.

I have a few implements with damaged shields that I foolishly use, but no one including my self goes near them when the tractor is running let alone the PTO spinning.

Andy

 

[Scotty370]

I think the previous posters have accurately described my feelings on the issue! No one will ever tell you to 'jumper' your seat engine-cutoff safety switch either, but I bet that there's more than a few that are compromised..

~Scotty

 

[Lumberdink]

Sold! I'll put them back on. I think the tractor shuts off as soon as I get off the seat with the PTO engaged. BTW, I don't any kids or other potential victims but as a claims adjuster, you don't have to tell me how quick something can go wrong! Thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[Bartcephus]

Not only are they a good safety feature, when I shred some tall stuff, without the pto shields they tangle all around it but with the PTO shields, they just ride on into the mower. I have an auger that is missing one-half and I probably won't replace it because it seems so expensive for a "piece of plastic." But it would probably be cheaper than a trip to the ER.

Bart

 

[Scotty370]

Good idea, Lumber........ As long as they're in good and servicable condition, seems like a 'no-brainer' to replace them. I think that when a person has to go out and purchase replacement 'safety sleeves' such as these, then the decisions get a little more 'dicey'............ Not sayin' it shouldn't be done...........just sayin'.......... ~S

 

[DaveOmak]

Lumberdink, morning... On the bell ends of the guards, use a large hole saw on a drill motor and cut a large hole so you can see the zerk fittings and get the nozzle of your grease gun in there to lube it. The hole should not be a safety issue as compared to removing the entire guard. Good luck... Dave