Rotary Cutter Chain Guards, Rotary Cutter

[foggy1111]

I have read quite a few posts on chain guards. While I don't think I want or need one on the back for my purposes (will keep people away) I have been thinking that the front of my new King Kutter 5' RC may need one....mainly to reduce risk to myself and the tractor. So.....I thought about making my own this winter from some scrap chain I got laying around and a chunk of rod and angle to bolt to the front. (I cant find where KK offers 'em...and how much it costs)

Pro's and any Con's to front chain guards?

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I can't think of a "con" outside of added weight, but the list of "pro's" is fairly substancial. The advantage of chain gaurds vs sheet metal or sheet rubber is improved air flow. A mower requires good air movement to have sufficient blade lift (suction). That helps with the quality of the finished cut. Chians don't stop everything. Their intended purpose is to deflect and deaded the momentum of flying objects. In all actuality, you don't want to contain a rock (or whatever) under the running mower. It's best if the object slowly "trickles" out from under the mower and out of the path of the spinning blades. Elsewise (is that a word? Or is that a "GW word"?) the blade continues to hit the object over and over until damage is done.

My insurance carrier (for my mowing business) requires me to have chains, front and rear. (We mow along state and interstate highways.)

 

[mnbowhunter1960]

I don't think I would ever run mine without chains, you never know who is going to be coming around or sneaking up on you to watch, 2500 rpm's is a lot of speed to throw somthing. better safe than sorry in my opinion. MH MN

 

[Bird]

I had chain guards on both of my rotary cutters, both front and rear, and I made all of them myself. No reason homemade can't work just as well as store bought.

 

[john_bud]

Ever see the cutters that do right of way and highway? They nearly all say "Keep back 300 feet"

Stuff flies far, fast and hits hard. It's cheap insurance.

jb

 

[JoeL4330]

front is a good idea, rear is an even better idea ...generally, the rotary cutter is operated pitched so that it is higher at the rear (for discharge)

 

[foggy1111]

Has anybody purchased any from King Kutter? Cost? Model ID? Thanks

 

[3RRL]

I too made my own set of chain guards.
See here: Add Chain Guards to Rotary Cutter

While I don't know about King Kutter, I know chains were available for my Howse. I imagine some internet searching would produce a link for you. One reason I made I own is that not only were they pricey, but they were so heavy that shipping added a whole lot to the deal.

 

[3 point hitch]

You can buy chain guards for most any model of king kutter rotary mower. I don't think there is one for the xb line they get a rubber guard I believe. If you still have your parts manual it should have the # to call for parts. I believe that they are an item that you can get through tsc just make sure that they understand it is a KK not a KNOCK OFF.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Afternoon Foggy,
Some guys have made guards out of old truck mud flaps, mounted them on some light duty angle iron and moved them just foward of the front of the mower to allow some air flow but still be able to deflect any debris thrown foward !