Rotary Cutter New to bush hogging , safety question

[Piston]

Under NO circumstances should you be mowing with animals or people closer than 400 feet at any time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
.

400'? This is getting a little excessive. I'm not saying its impossible for something to fly that far, but 400' is overboard.

 

[creekbend]

Before I bought my Bush Hog, I reviewed several posts here on TBN regarding chain and rubber guards. I worked out a deal with my Dealer and told him that I would buy the Bush Hog and pay for chain guards on the rear if he would put front chain guards on for free since I was buying from him. Chain guards are not cheap and several TBN members have made their own. I also checked with farmers in my area and the majority advised me that chain guards were better because they lasted longer than the rubber guards. Just my thoughts.

 

[leonz]

400'? This is getting a little excessive. I'm not saying its impossible for something to fly that far, but 400' is overboard.

In relating my case specifically,

I have garage window that was destroyed and now covered with a piece of
plexiglass because of my neighbors hiring a forestry mower to open up and clear
the old pasture property which is proof of what I have stated.

At the time the skidder had a hydraulic powered rotary forestry mower nounted on
the skidder and they hit something and it sailed from the top of the hill in a direct line
and hit my single pane glass window on the east side of the garage.


There are many many instances of rotary cutters that have impacted objects
and caused property damage(Iron Horses explanation of the events that occured
when he was land clearing a plot in his native Australia is brilliant example of
what can happen and will) and or injuries or death of persons riding by in automobiles.:thumbdown:.

 

[Henri88]

Good info as I was questioning myself on making one or not. Looking around on the internet, I've seen a lot of use BH for sale without guard, so I was not to sure if I should make one. Well after reading all these post, I am now convince. Bought mine this winter and I'm new to bush cutting, so here is my question. I'm trying to figure out the length of the chains. When the cutter is laying flat on the ground, should the chain touch the ground also or should they be somewhat shorter? Hard to see on pictures that I look at. I know they can't be to long so not to hit the blade. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Henri

 

[nybirdman]

I do not have deflectors on the small-ish, relatively low-velocity blade speed, King Kutter.
If you are at PTO speeds to run,How do you figure it's low velocity?

 

[Piston]

In relating my case specifically,

I have garage window that was destroyed and now covered with a piece of
plexiglass because of my neighbors hiring a forestry mower to open up and clear
the old pasture property which is proof of what I have stated.

At the time the skidder had a hydraulic powered rotary forestry mower nounted on
the skidder and they hit something and it sailed from the top of the hill in a direct line
and hit my single pane glass window on the east side of the garage.


There are many many instances of rotary cutters that have impacted objects
and caused property damage(Iron Horses explanation of the events that occured
when he was land clearing a plot in his native Australia is brilliant example of
what can happen and will) and or injuries or death of persons riding by in automobiles.:thumbdown:.

Regarding forestry mowers, I completely agree. I've had land cleared by one as well, my neighbor runs one. Those are a totally different ballgame than the rotary mowers we're referring too.

 

[TripleR]

I don't deny that some things can happen with a rotary cutter, but the descriptions of them as essentially being whirling engines of death is in my opinion a bit over the top. I use rotary cutters from 4' to 10' every year and have for more years than I can remember and haven't broken anything or injured anyone. Like someone else I got smacked in the back about forty years ago, but the cutter didn't have any guards. Like any piece of equipment they must be operated with safety in mind.

I have only seen two flail mowers in my area, one being used as a stalk cutter by a farmer and another used in a municipality. Farmers and the State Highway Department use 15" bat wing rotary cutters.

I like the principal of a flail mower, but they just don't fit my needs and I am quit comfortable using my rotary cutters.

 

[aczlan]

Leonz,
A forestry mower (ie: Tree Cutters | Brown Manufacturing | 800-633-8909 ) such as is mounted to a tractor 3 point or the arms of a skidsteer or trackloader which has an unguarded front to allow chopping down trees, can be raised 6-8 feet in the air and angled up steeply (if loader mounted) is a very different machine in terms of general usage and the dangerzone than a bushhog that stays flat, within a couple feet of the ground and has steel and chain or rubber guards to stop flying objects.

Aaron Z

 

[TripleR]

Good info as I was questioning myself on making one or not. Looking around on the internet, I've seen a lot of use BH for sale without guard, so I was not to sure if I should make one. Well after reading all these post, I am now convince. Bought mine this winter and I'm new to bush cutting, so here is my question. I'm trying to figure out the length of the chains. When the cutter is laying flat on the ground, should the chain touch the ground also or should they be somewhat shorter? Hard to see on pictures that I look at. I know they can't be to long so not to hit the blade. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Henri

View attachment 307936 View attachment 307937

Here is a recent thread and I know there is another one also, just can't remember it now. http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/273335-brush-cutter-chain-guard-homemade.html

I believe Chilly807 built a set also, but couldn't find the thread with details, only this: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/203349-land-pride-rotary-cutter-chain.html

 

[Henri88]

Thanks TripleR! Got all the info I needed and more. :thumbsup: Henri