Brush hog safety chains

[Mtsoxfan]

Snow finally gone, at least where the grass is and I'm getting the brush hog ready for the field. The safety chains that prevent debris from coming out unchecked is missing quite a few links. I figured before I replace I'll ask my question...
Has anyone replaced the chain guard with anything else? If so, how'd it work out? Any pics?

 

[Rustyiron]

I've seen a horizontal strip of a rubber belting type material used. Is it the front, tractor side of the mower or the opposite back side?

 

[Ken45101]

My 15ft Bush Hog batwing had the option of chains or a rubber strip (cheaper). I chose the rubber strips. They lasted 15 years but now need replacing. I am not sure which way I'm going.

Ken

 

[oldnslo]

Belting seems to keep the grass under the mower better than chains but may also bend the grass down more in front so doesn’t cut as well.

Never ran side by side test to see if one option created less dust than the other

 

[Mtsoxfan]

I've seen a horizontal strip of a rubber belting type material used. Is it the front, tractor side of the mower or the opposite back side?

The rear is missing the most. If I can get a better idea over chains, I'd do both.
One of my thoughts was similar to yours, truck mudflap. Haven't thought about the design yet.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Belting seems to keep the grass under the mower better than chains but may also bend the grass down more in front so doesn’t cut as well.

Never ran side by side test to see if one option created less dust than the other

Belting does sound safer as well. I'd imagine if a link gets airborne, not safe...

 

[RayIN]

My 15ft Bush Hog batwing had the option of chains or a rubber strip (cheaper). I chose the rubber strips. They lasted 15 years but now need replacing. I am not sure which way I'm going.

Ken

Once I was lucky enough to obtain a length of discarded conveyor belt from a coal mine. It's ½" thick and 4' wide; my section was 20' long.
I never gave a thought to use it on the rotary mower, I used it for mats in my horse trailer.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

What I'd be cutting is a hayfield and saplings. I've cut some of the unkept hayfield last year, tons of seed/chaffe plugging up radiator screen. Hoping to cut more often so it doesn't get to that point, dry and over grown. Time will tell how often, but the section I cut last year was about 6 times, vs my grass every week.

 

[oldnslo]

Depending on width old round baler belts are tough and usually pretty inexpensive since they are headed for trash bin or the I will use that someday pile…

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Once I was lucky enough to obtain a length of discarded conveyor belt from a coal mine. It's ½" thick and 4' wide; my section was 20' long.

Any pictures of mounting?