Brush Hog Guard - Chains Or Belting - What To Use

ksmmoto · Mar 25, 2005

I have a 5' King Kutter brush hog and am planning to build guards for front and back. I have angle iron and belting already, but after looking at the post on homemade chain guard I might build out of chain instead.

Has anyone tried both or have an opinion? Which type stops debris the best, holds up longest and is easiest to build?

ksmmoto

Bird · Mar 25, 2005

Yes, I've made both for two different brush hogs. The belting material was quicker, easier, cheaper, both to build and to destroy. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif I won't waste time with it again, personally. The chains lasted a lot longer and worked better.

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 25, 2005

Chains are the ONLY way to go, in my opinion. It takes a bit longer to build, but they will outlast 10 sets of rubber guards. BTDT.

ksmmoto · Mar 26, 2005

Hey, thanks for the advice guys. I thought maybe chain might be better, looks trick too. Since I am going to advertise brush hogging I better build the heaver duty chain.

Happen to think, I got at least 50' or more of 1/4" or 5/16" have to check tomorrow. It that heavy enough or would 3/8" be better?

ksmmoto

Bird · Mar 26, 2005

In my opinion, 1/4" or 5/16" chain is heavy enough for the size equipment you have.

bdog · Mar 26, 2005

I buillt a front chain guard last week for my 6' shredder and am going to do the rear today or tomorrow. I have been welding for 15 years and this was by far the most boring welding project I have ever done. I definitely think it is important but it takes for ever to cut all those pieces of chain and weld them on. I think I used about 40' of chain and welded on 60 or so pieces just on the front. Hope you have a few free hours. But seriously don't get discouraged and get them on there and be safe.

Bird · Mar 26, 2005

I used bolt cutters to cut the chain, but then it did take awhile to do the welding.

shvl73 · Mar 26, 2005

Bird,
Did you use angle iron or channel like we saw in another, recent post? I'm thinking of trying to make a guard for my BB60, as the rubber one has torn off. We'll see if my crude welding ability with my old stick machine can make it happen.
Thanks,
Torin

Bird · Mar 26, 2005

Torin, I learned the slow, hard way. With the rubber guards I made, I had them too close to the blades, so they'd drag back into the blades at times and didn't last any time at all. And I had a similar problem with the first front chain guard I made. The chains were just a little too long and too close to the blades, so the blades shortened them for me in the middle. I used angle iron, but when I made the second set, I used some washers for spacers and longer bolts to make sure a chain could never get to the blades. So I guess you could say, I made 4 sets (2 different brush hogs) before I learned to do it right.

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 28, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I buillt a front chain guard last week for my 6' shredder and am going to do the rear today or tomorrow. I have been welding for 15 years and this was by far the most boring welding project I have ever done. I definitely think it is important but it takes for ever to cut all those pieces of chain and weld them on. I think I used about 40' of chain and welded on 60 or so pieces just on the front. Hope you have a few free hours. But seriously don't get discouraged and get them on there and be safe. )</font>

I did mine too... And was it EVER boring! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif As bad as the welding part was, cutting the chains was WORSE! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif