Chain Guards for Flail Mower?

[TerryR]

Thanks, Halftrack. That looks like it would be very effective. Constructing it as a retrofit looks like it might be a little challenging.

 

[TerryR]

It took a while, but I got a chain guard made up, and installed it today:

I basically use toolslinger's design, modified just a bit. Thanks to him for the design help.

Since this is a flail and not a rotary cutter, and because I didn't have any of the materials lying around so had to buy new, I figured I could use a bit lighter construction. In part that's to save weight when the mower is offset to the side.

I used 3/16" chain, and hung it on a 5/16" rod. I used the holes for the factory belt guard, which gave me about a 10" span between mounts. I had the mounts made from 1/2" steel so they are the same width as the spacers. Here's a closeup:

I don't have any real metal working tools, so I had a local welding shop supply the materials and fabricate the parts, which they did for $140. The chain was from Lowes Hardware, and was about $80. I cut it to length myself. Around the same or a bit less than factory options I found, and I got exactly what I wanted.

I gave it a quick test on the yard and driveways, and it seemed to work fine. But I can't test the real effectiveness until fall when I cut the stiff weeds that forced me to remove the factory belt guard.

 

[ibbuckhunter]

That looks awesome. Great Job. My only concern on this type of guard is when you are mowing vertically along a path. It seems the chains would jus hang parallel to the mower and not offer any protection for the tractor driver. I have an ACMA and they have guards similar to the New Holland. Let me know how this works.

 

[TerryR]

I finished my fall mowing a few days ago, so finally got to really test the chain guards. They did everything I had hoped. Mowing as clean as without the guard, but no little stuff flying out the front. Here's a shot of mowing some tall stiff stuff:

I don't mow anything truly vertical, but did a couple of banks well over 60 degrees and didn't find an issue.

 

[WinterDeere]

Nice work! Real clean job. I'd have been concerned your chain was too light, but I guess time will tell, it's definitely better than open.

 

[TerryR]

So far I've not had anything come near me, which did happen a couple of times with the guard removed. I think flails really throw less stuff with lower speed than rotaries.