what size chain for guard??

Dmax · Mar 17, 2005

what size chain is used on rotary cutter guard?? Where is the cheapest place to buy it?

Thanks

EddieWalker · Mar 17, 2005

Are you looking to put short lengths of chain along the edge of your cutter to stop material from flying out while cutting?

If so, then you don't kneed a very high quality chain or much strength. Weight is more important for stoping then it is for holding.

I've found the lowest price on low quality chain at Wal-Mart. I wouldn't use it for dragging a tree, but it's fine for a quick gate or dog collar.

bobodu · Mar 18, 2005

I found the chain I used for my tractors bar chains at Menards.3/16 and the links are about an inch long.$12.99 for twenty feet.If you cut the end of the link and use that end to weld it into place you would have zero loss.

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 18, 2005

I used 5/16th chain on mine. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Here's how I made my "choice". /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

About 10 years ago, I rolled into the parking lot at work one morning. I noticed "something" strung across the lot. I walked in the office, turned off the alarm, and turned on the lights.After I had my morning "constitutional", I walked outside. Lo and behold! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif What was strung across the lot was a piece of 5/16th inch chain, at least 200' long. It had a fence post at each end, and a big ol' padlock fastened to one fencepost. I'm just guessing, but it looked like what you would expect to find enclosing something like a used car dealers lot. It had been dragged on the street. A good many of the chain links were worn shiney from being dragged. I watched the classifieds for a few day to see if anyone was missing a 200' chain. No "lost chain" adds...... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

I use "Grade 70 binder chains" on my trailer to secure loads. This old stuff is nowhere near D.O.T. standards. It is just "utility chain". /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Do you have any clue as to how long it takes to use up 200' of chain????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

So far, I've made 3 sets of "saftey chains" for bush hog mowers... I'm down to about 80'.............. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Bird · Mar 18, 2005

I think the size of the chain depends on the size of the cutter; 3/16" on the smaller (3-point cutters) up to 3/8" on some of the larger (batwing) cutters.

Henro · Mar 18, 2005

I think mine are 3/8" links. They might be 5/16 though, I don't remember. I'll have to measure them and see.

Attached is a picture of what the front of my cutter looks like...it is a Woods BB60.

Like EddieWalker said above, heavy would be better than light...

Edit: I checked those chains...looks like they are 5/16... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

AlanB · Mar 18, 2005

I was looking at my buddies and his had the rod through the chain passed with the chain passed through a slot in angle iron setup like Henro's.

I thought that was really neat, and thought about duplicating it till I thought about cutting all those slots.

Now I am back to the flat strap idea, and just welding the chain on it flat and bolting it too the rotary cutter.

My question is, do you ever have to change those chains? I can cut them off and weld on a new one, but it would not be as nice as sliding out that rod and replacing bad ones. I have no experience with that, but I doubt that those chains wear out or break very much. Or do they?

Indydirtfarmer · Mar 18, 2005

I did the rear chain guard on my BB840 with a 1/4" X 2" flat bar, and then welded the chains to it. (By the way, it took 112 pieces of chain to reach around that 7' radius) From time to time, I've knocked a few of 'em off. (Hitting "stuff" while mowing) I've probably replaced 6 or 8 pieces of chain. I just grind the spot clean, and weld away... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

At the rate I'm wearing them down, it would take YEARS, if not decades to wear out a chain link dragging them through the grass. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

One word of caution...!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Make certain you don't get the chains even ONE LINK too long. They'll make contact with the mower blades. THEN you have a "Missing Link". /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Dmax · Mar 18, 2005

Think I am going to use 4 inch channel and 5/16 chain. I will post a picture when I get them built. Thanks for all the replys

bdog · Mar 21, 2005

I am going to build some chain guards for my shredder but I have never really seen a shredder with them on it. I saw Henro's picture and get the idea but are they only needed on the front, the front and back, or all the way around? I do commericial shredding and I always grit my teeth when I am going near their houses or cars for fear of sending something through a window or worse.

Also I assume you want the chains as long as possible while not being able to contact the blades?