Brush cutter chain guards

Broke down and bought a new rotary cutter today. Been needing a new one for a while. The deck rusted out beyond repair on my old one.

Got a Howse model 500 light duty cutter.
They list for $1139 on the Howse web site so when the guy told me $840 + tax for the cutter and 4 extra shear bolts; I told him I would take it.
All of my other implements; box blade; scoop; middle buster; are Howse and have held up well so we will see how this cutter will do.

So now I need to decide what I am going to do about putting a chain guard on the front of the cutter.
Not really interested in the rear guard but feel I should put something on the front for my safety.

I can buy the factory chain guard from the dealer for $175
This would be the easiest way out as it is bolt on.

I could buy a length of angle and a bunch of chain and weld up my own guard.
Not sure if this would save a whole bunch when you consider my time.

Or I could most likely get some old truck mud flaps from work (for free) and cut them into strips and make a guard out of them.
I've heard of others using mud flaps for this purpose but have never done it myself so really do not know how well it works.

Your comments...................

Come out to California I will give you a chain guard I removed from a cutter I scrapped. I think chains will be better. If you have a piece of stiff rubber it may get weeds piled up in front of the cutter, unless you hang it by chains. I guess it depend what you are cutting. A front and rear guard is better. I had a rock go out through the front of my mower, hit my front tire, and came right back and hit me in the eye. I also had a rock go out of the back of my flail mower and break a 1,500.00 window. guards are good. stan

I guess like you say it depends on your time. I know one thing it would worth a great deal to keep things from hitting you in the back of the legs.
Ron

I have 4 rotary cutters of different sizes.

I recommend chains on the back to help stop flying debris and better disperse the clippings.

I also recommend belting on the front as chains allow the blades to throw too much dust and debris onto the back of the tractor and operator.

Dean

Chains or no chains, be careful! Even with chains front and rear on an arm mower, I have thrown chunks of tree limb and debris up on the road when mowing roadsides. A guy I work with had his mower throw a piece of pavement out though the chains and into the back window of a car on US127, and a different co worker had a piece of 4X4 hidden in the grass go through his chains and knock out a garage window on M57 a couple months back. This is on new this spring 12' JD mowers. I think the terrain has a lot to do with throwing stuff, more of a chance when the ground is uneven. Not that you have to worry about cars and such most likely, just be careful out there.

Ross

John just bolt a piece of used baler belting across the entire front of the cutter. It is stiff enough to deflect most throw stuff down but flexible enough to bend back and let grass/brush under the front of the cutter. You wan the strip to be 4-6 inches below the top of the deck. This should put the bottom a few inches below the center line of the blades. All the belting has to do is deflect the thrown stuff down not completely stop it. I have both chains and belts on different cutters. I like the belts better as they keep more dirt and small rocks off the tractor.

Here is a picture of a factory rubber deflector. It is just a strip of rubber bolted on the front of the cutter. I bet that the cutter has the holes already there.

Thanks JD

I'm gona try to scrounge up a old baler belt or some old mud flaps but if that does not work out you gave me a idea with the picture.

I'm betting I could buy the front belt for the bush hog cutter and make it work. And the $50 price tag would be 1/3 the cost of the chain guard made for my cutter.

Have had them with and without, don't really see the need for them, and we have a lot of rocks. I used to see some debris fly forward on the old one without a guard, but it did no damage. I always wear safety glasses and ear plugs, and have never had anything hit me.