Mowing Radio Ear Protection

[SEB92]

I am looking for some ear protection while mowing and so far have found the Stanley with radio and Mp3 connection. Does anyone suggest any other brand or model? I would like if they had Bluetooth connection to my phone to eliminate the cord. Thanks in advance!

 

[Burtonbr]

I just got a 3M brand set for my birthday, 3M Tekk Protection Work Tunes AM/FM Radio/MP3 and Hearing Protector, they were on sale at northern tool and for $50 i thought it was a pretty good deal. no bluetooth though.

3M Tekk Protection Work Tunes AM/FM Radio/MP3 and Hearing Protector, Model# 90541-80025V | Hearing Protection| Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[powerpace]

Radio is a distraction when using powered equipment. Hearing protection should be used.

 

[Oaktree]

Radio is a distraction when using powered equipment. Hearing protection should be used.

Agree 100%. I want to be able to hear it if I hit something, or if my equipment isn't running right without the radio drowning it out. Also, to me it makes no sense to drown out one loud noise with another.

 

[minner]

I will have to disagree with the two previous posts. If you ride on a tractor 8+ hours a day, listening to the radio can make it pass by much quicker. I spend about 25+hours a week running a bushhog and about 10 hours a week on a zero turn (and that’s just my side job) and I would go crazy without some tunes.
I know the HUMMMMM of my machine and by the seat of my pants can tell its frequencies, and having run equipment both ways I would always go back to a radio muffs.
That said, doing things like loader work or when other people are around, I would advocate using NO hearing protection so that you can hear the direction of others.
For that reason my hardassed father and grandfather did not believe in cab tractors. Everything we had from 25-150HP were all open. If they could have torn the cab off the combine they would...which by the way had no AC so you ran doors open...(choke)

I bought the 3M Work Tunes also and so far my only complaints are they are a little hot and I hate the cord. No batteries are a huge bonus if you use an MP3 player. At present time there are no economical choices short of $350 for a bluetooth setup.

 

[oosik]

Well, minner, with your concern for safety one can only hope you make it to fatherhood muchless become a grandfather. One day you may understand the wisdom of your elders.

 

[fordmantpw]

I'm with minner...the tunes make things go quicker, and actually help keep me focused. However, when doing loader work, I don't use the tunes, and there isn't as much tractor noise as when using the mower/cutter.

I use a set of noise cancelling ear buds, and they seem to work well. I've tried a Motorola bluetooth headset, but it doesn't do a good enough job of cancelling the tractor noise and I have to crank the tunes up, so I stick with the cord on the ear buds for betting protection.

 

[Tor Arne]

Peltor has a good set whit bluetooth, no idea what they are prized in us.

 

[mowin]

Well, minner, with your concern for safety one can only hope you make it to fatherhood muchless become a grandfather. One day you may understand the wisdom of your elders.

WOW...kinda harsh. I cant see how wearing/listening to radio muffs is a safety hazard. With the muffs on and radio off I cant hear a dam thing anyone may say to me. I also can "feel" the vibration in my machines, and know instantly if something's amiss. If your gonna hit something, it makes no difference if the radio is on or off..your gonna hit it either way, and react just a quickly.

 

[DT86]

I'm with minner...the tunes make things go quicker, and actually help keep me focused. However, when doing loader work, I don't use the tunes, and there isn't as much tractor noise as when using the mower/cutter.

I'm the same way. I listen to my tunes as long as I'm alone. However, when doing tight loader work, hooking and unhooking implements or anytime someone is close by they come off.

I use these Skull Candy ear buds with built in mic for use in my iPhone or iPod. They sound amazing for $30. I run the wires inside my shirt to the device in my pocket or on the belt clip. I can still hear the equipment running AND enjoy my music. Oh and those d*mn pesky bugs can't fly in my ears while wearing them!!!

 

[fordmantpw]

I'm the same way. I listen to my tunes as long as I'm alone. However, when doing tight loader work, hooking and unhooking implements or anytime someone is close by they come off.

I run the wires inside my shirt to the device in my pocket or on the belt clip. I can still hear the equipment running AND enjoy my music. Oh and those d*mn pesky bugs can't fly in my ears while wearing them!!!

Same here! I tie the wires around the strap on the back of my cap so they don't tug on my ears, and I barely know the wire is there. It sure takes the monotony out of 3 hours cutting grass...

 

[minner]

Well, minner, with your concern for safety one can only hope you make it to fatherhood muchless become a grandfather. One day you may understand the wisdom of your elders.

Nice reply.
While I appreciate your concern I am doing fairly well having no major incident in half my lifetime of operating equipment, and being the father of two children where ear muffs would have been an even better idea.

 

[Burtonbr]

The ear protection is as important as eye protection, with mowers, chippers, chain saws I wear both.

 

[newbury]

I've been using Thunder 29's

and similar for nigh on 20 years for high noise situations. I often combine them with ear plugs such as the Milwaukee Milwaukee 49-17-3200 NRR 27 DB Corded Reusable Earplugs, Box of 50 - Amazon.com Chainsawing, lawn mowing, tractor work etc.

I realize the importance of being able to "hear" interruptions to the situation but I like to "listen to the sounds of silence".

However, I also often am doing fairly boring mind-numbing tasks, such as taking the lawn down by 2" where I see no safety reason why I couldn't listen to a little Dead or the news. In those cases I USED (20 years ago) to plug in a device called "stereo earbuds" to a device called a "Walkman" which played CD's. Just tucked the buds into the foam in the 29's.

Over the years I graduated to a MP3 player the size of my thumb, which I strapped to my hat because I too hated the spider web of cords.

I then moved on to a Jabra Street Bluetooth Headset, Jabra STREET2 which hangs around my neck, uses standard earbuds, and I just run the cords up my shirt. I then pair it with any BT device I may be carrying.

I have probably 5 pair of 29's or their more recent versions, their prices are down to around $20. I can still switch in an MP3 player, different earbuds, the Milwaukees, or the Jabra with any of them.

To me the advantage of my way is that the components are fairly standard and inexpensive and if I misplace any of them, except the Jabra, I can switch out.

 

[Teikas Dad]

I've got a set of Elvex Quiet Tunes

They cost more than the ones you get in the big box stores but they are built much more solidly.

Low Cost AM/FM Radio Earmuffs, Hearing Protection

 

[Dozernut]

I've got to side with minner on this issue. Been wearing Work Tunes for years and I am a grandpa. I can tell by the pitch of the motor or the vibration if something is awry with the tractor or the equipment. The work Tunes do not completely block out all sounds of the tractor. I would rather listen to the oldies than the hum of the mower for hours.

 

[Clint S]

I just got a 3M brand set for my birthday, 3M Tekk Protection Work Tunes AM/FM Radio/MP3 and Hearing Protector, they were on sale at northern tool and for $50 i thought it was a pretty good deal. no bluetooth though.

3M Tekk Protection Work Tunes AM/FM Radio/MP3 and Hearing Protector, Model# 90541-80025V | Hearing Protection| Northern Tool + Equipment

I have these as well. The headphone stopped working on one side with the radio only, when hooked up to the MP3 cable both sides work. The radio is not very loud at all compared to the noise my mower or tractor puts out. I can easily hear change in RPM or the hydraulic pump change pitch like when the bucket reaches max curl.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I have been using ear plugs the past 20 years or so and they work great...
For those of you that utilize those radio head phones...
Do those things not get hot in the summertime?
Here in NC when I am mowing in the summer it is insufferable unless you have a cabbed tractor with AC...
I mow my yard with a 1720 NH and it is bearable in 100 degree heat with the sunshade but ear muffs to me would be like putting a pair of heaters on your ears in the summer...

 

[Dozernut]

Yes, they get hot. This gives me a reason to stop, wipe off the perspiration, stretch and take a drink from the water jug filled with ice water. A cab would be wonderful but I would be breaking out the glass due to the trees.

 

[Piston]

I use Bose noise canceling headphones. They are amazing! I don't know if the new ones have Bluetooth or not but mine don't.