Rear safety chains needed?

fowlerto · Apr 2, 2005

Do some people prefer not to use rear safety chain shields? Are the rubber shields or chain shields better?

I just bought a JD 790 and LX5. After they were delivered I noticed that the LX5 had a rubber front shield and no safety shield in the rear.

When I called the dealer, a salesman (my salesman was out) told me that the safety chains were an additional option.

I told him that the LX5 brochure states that safety chains are standard equipment on all LX models.

He then tried to tell me that they don't order them with chains because nobody wants rear chains.

This is my first tractor and cutter. Do some people really prefer not to have rear shields on their cutter?

I'm going to talk to my salesman on Monday and work this out. I was hoping to get some real life feedback in case he tries to tell me I don't need\want chains on my cutter.

beenthere · Apr 2, 2005

They are an option, and I don't have any chains on my rotary cutter. Lots of things are options, and the lower price quoted probably didn't include them.
But if you have the manual that says they are standard equipment, sounds like a good argument. Good luck at winning it.

NIXON · Apr 2, 2005

I'm by no means an expert on this , but I won't let that stop me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
I went with the safety chains on my brush hog for a couple of reasons . 1 they'll most likely last a lot longer than the rubber/plastic guards . 2 I do most of my mowing next to a public road ,and think they'll stop most things from being thrown into the roadway and oncoming vehicles better than the rubber type guards . John

Soundguy · Apr 3, 2005

Opinions vary on this.

I like rubber matt style shields as they block more dust and smaller particles.. also less destructive if a piece of the shield hits a blade.. unlike a chain segment.

The rubbe rones may not hold up as long.. but then again.. They are cheap to make.. compaired to a chain shield.

My stepfather has a rubber shield that is 10+ year old.. still going good.

Soundguy

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 3, 2005

( Opinions vary on this.

Soundguy )

One of the "top 10 list" of varied opinions dealing with tractors/implements.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

My insurance carrier made my desicion for me....Chains it is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

penokee · Apr 3, 2005

Has been discussed on other threads, but will repeat here - the operator should also be protected from flying debris. I don't have any type guard on the back of my Bushhog (probably should), but do my mowing in remote wooded areas. Pic of home-made screen on ROPS.
penokee /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

beenthere · Apr 4, 2005

How have you made out with getting the safety chains added?

I just ran across a quote from my dealer on an LX5, and it doesn't show the safety chain on front or back included with the quote. Appears the Slipclutch, 16" solid rubber tire, front chain, and rear chain are all options to add to the price.

Did the original Bushog rotary cutter you were to get (backordered) have the safety chains included? Maybe that is where the mix-up originated.

Hope you get them.

RalphVa · Apr 4, 2005

Safety chains were optional on my LX4. Went with front safety chain and no rear one since almost all my mowing is down along the creek overflow areas. My Gravely is open in the front on its front bush hog. No guard on one end keeps the grass from windrowing much, as it can spray out the open end.

Think the solid rear tire I got was standard. There was a second type of solid rear tire that was optional. Slip clutch is optional, too. I went with a shear pin because this is what my neighbor has on her 30 year old JD 820's bush hog.

Ralph

fowlerto · Apr 6, 2005

Thanks to all for the replys.

I talked it out w\ my salesman. He had lowered the LX5 price to not include the chains. He says they order them w\out the chains because all dealers in this market order them that way and it is the only way to stay competitve. He apologized for not making that clear on the quote.

The bushhog did not include rear chains as well so in the end, it was still a pretty even swap. He did include the slip-cluth at no charge.

I will probably order the rear chains as much of the brush I will be cutting is still pretty close to the house.

I could probably force the dealership to give me the chains since they are standard equipment per the John Deere brochure and their quote never mentioned they were not included.

However, my salesman in particular has been great, he upgraded me n\c to the slip clutch and upgraded me n\c from 5' tilt\angle blade to a 6'. I don't think we was trying to rip me off on $150 chains.

I'm going to let this rest because I feel good about the overall sale.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Indydirtfarmer · Apr 6, 2005

( Thanks to all for the replys.

I talked it out w\ my salesman. He had lowered the LX5 price to not include the chains. He says they order them w\out the chains because all dealers in this market order them that way and it is the only way to stay competitve. He apologized for not making that clear on the quote.

The bushhog did not include rear chains as well so in the end, it was still a pretty even swap. He did include the slip-cluth at no charge.

I will probably order the rear chains as much of the brush I will be cutting is still pretty close to the house.

I could probably force the dealership to give me the chains since they are standard equipment per the John Deere brochure and their quote never mentioned they were not included.

However, my salesman in particular has been great, he upgraded me n\c to the slip clutch and upgraded me n\c from 5' tilt\angle blade to a 6'. I don't think we was trying to rip me off on $150 chains.

I'm going to let this rest because I feel good about the overall sale.

Thanks again for the feedback. )

As best as I can recall, (old age/memory is shot) when I was pricing a Deere MX8 3 seasons back, the chains are standard equipment, but the mower can be ordered WITHOUT them, an a DEDUCTION from standard price is made. In MOST agricultural uses, (shredding stalks, mowing, ect) the shields aren't needed as much, and are considered un-needed. That is an issue that Deere (as well as any other manufacturer supplying mowers WITHOUT saftey chains) should address with their dealers. If they're listed as standard equipment, they should be on the mower, and REMOVED by the buyer if they chose to remove them. JMHO, and worth all you paid for it. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif