Already been there and done that. I destroyed and repaired the HST fan and then installed a skid plate. I guess the real question is can I do any real damage to the mower or will the shear pin protect it from any permanent damage? After the initial clearing of my 6 acres it will only be maintenance after that. I already know there are some bushes out there that I can't cut with the mower and I will have to use the chain saw and then burn those up but I want to keep that work to a minimum.On a related subject I see you are using a BX tractor. There have been a good number of threads about the BX being vulnerable to a fan shroud breakage when running over things like you describe. Maybe a BX owner can offer more details.
MarkV