buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
I took out a back window on my truck cap....
Gravel bullets
- Thread starter rd_macgregor
- Start date
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A few years ago I was mowing around the pond at the house. Using a 5400JD and a 15' Bush Hog Batwing. I believe this area was a rock farm at one time, we have to keep a constant eye out for them they seem to grow right out of the ground. Anyway this particular time just mowing away I hear the hit, quickly turn to look and see nothing.
As I turn back I see my brother-in-law, on the other side of the pond about 75 yards away picking himself up off the ground. I shut off the tractor to ask him what happen. After a string of words, he told me I'd just knocked him down with a rock and held up a rock about the size of a melon. He bruised up pretty bad, hit him in the back left shoulder. It was just luck it didn't kill him.
I still look at the distance and find it hard to believe. I recently bought a Flail and that was part of the reason.
As I turn back I see my brother-in-law, on the other side of the pond about 75 yards away picking himself up off the ground. I shut off the tractor to ask him what happen. After a string of words, he told me I'd just knocked him down with a rock and held up a rock about the size of a melon. He bruised up pretty bad, hit him in the back left shoulder. It was just luck it didn't kill him.
I still look at the distance and find it hard to believe. I recently bought a Flail and that was part of the reason.
beppington
Elite Member
Flail mowers seem to mow about as calmly & safely as can be done.
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Flail mower anyone???
Amen brother. I imagine it will be a few years but suspect that rotary bush hog mowers will someday be illegal or considered too risky (liability) to operate anywhere near human dwellings, roadways or pedestrians. Flails are well tested and much safer.
Dr_Zinj
Veteran Member
Itty Bitty push mowers are nasty rock throwers too.
Had a 1/2 inch pebble thrown 50 feet through the back window of my wife's van and didn't know about it until a hour after finishing mowing when she started cussing up a storm as she was leavign for church.
Oops.
$$$
Had a 1/2 inch pebble thrown 50 feet through the back window of my wife's van and didn't know about it until a hour after finishing mowing when she started cussing up a storm as she was leavign for church.
Oops.
$$$
jml755
Silver Member
Been thinking about adding chains to the leading edge of my brush hog as I have had a few decent size pieces of brush/limbs fly forward past me while mowing. Up to now, kind of thought I was pretty safe (up higher than the mower which is spinning horizontal at ground level)
But this thread on "gravel bullets" makes me wonder that even the chains might not stop a rock hit just right. I've got some expanded metal sheet lying around that is typically used for machine tool guarding. Thinking about fabbing up a section to mount between the ROPS posts behind the seat. At least a projectile would have to be "laser guided" to get past the chains AND through the small diamond shaped openings in the expanded metal. Only issue would be it might tend to obstruct ones vision if you're looking back. Anyone else done this?
But this thread on "gravel bullets" makes me wonder that even the chains might not stop a rock hit just right. I've got some expanded metal sheet lying around that is typically used for machine tool guarding. Thinking about fabbing up a section to mount between the ROPS posts behind the seat. At least a projectile would have to be "laser guided" to get past the chains AND through the small diamond shaped openings in the expanded metal. Only issue would be it might tend to obstruct ones vision if you're looking back. Anyone else done this?
IslandTractor
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2005
- Messages
- 15,802
- Location
- Prudence Island, RI
- Tractor
- 2007 Kioti DK40se HST, Woods BH
Chain or thick rubber on the leading or trailing edge of a rotary mower may not completely stop a rock or stick from flying out but it should deflect it downwards which would help keep the object away from the operator at least.
