Eye protection

redsox1 · Jun 10, 2014

I suspect there is no surprisingly good answer here but, does anyone have a solution to brush hogging during pollen season without completely messing up your eyes? Yesterday I spent four hours mowing grass/weeds in my open cab tractor and it's taken a full 24 hours for my eyes to get back to normal from all the dust and pollen. Admittedly I didn't wear any eye protection. Short of wearing a mask and goggles (which I doubt I could or would wear anyway) does anyone have something that works for them. This was a waist high mixture of weeds and grass that was just loaded with pollen and seeds and really kicked my butt during and after the mowing. Any help/advice appreciated.

dieselcrawler · Jun 10, 2014

Its a dusty dirty job, no way around it... as you mentioned, eye protection, dust mask would be a good start... maybe a cab tractor... a/c, radio, clean and dry! We have an L4310 cab tractor at work, its nice to be out of the elements... but feel like I'm driving a telephone booth! Dispite how nice it is, I still prefer open station for brush hogging.

MikeInEburg · Jun 10, 2014

You could try swim goggles as they would keep almost everything out of your eyes. In winter, I use ski goggles. Either one is gonna be hot. Hot is better than blind.

pacerron · Jun 10, 2014

A non-drowsy antihistamine helps me a lot when making hay.
I poo-pooed the idea as I don't like pills but the wife convinced me to try it.
Taken an hour or so before cutting makes an amazing difference, at least for me.

Gary Fowler · Jun 10, 2014

They do make safety glasses with a foam perimeter liner to keep out dust. Much better than goggles AND much cooler. Even a good wrap around pair of safety glasses would help a lot AND a dust mask. Breathing in the pollen likely is more too the cause of the watery/itchy eyes for days after. A simple paper mask + wrap around safety glasses is about all you can do. The mask is going to be a bit hot though. Other than investing in a cab, that is about all you can do along with an anti-allergy medication to relieve the symptoms. I take an allergy pill daily for my hay fever.

redsox1 · Jun 10, 2014

All good suggestions, never thought of allergy pills. I do have some glasses with the foam eye cups from my motorcycle days. Maybe pills, a bandana and glasses will make the chore bearable. Lots more mowing to do, got to "git her done". Thanks all for the help.

RG1 · Jun 10, 2014

Wolfsnout makes both goggles and masks. I haven't used the goggles, but I use the mask every day. It is washable and works awesome at keeping out the dust and pollen compared to other masks, and it doesn't fog your glasses or their goggles like other masks can. I am not associated with them in any way, but I know a great product when I use it. many others here have been trying them lately.

The guys over on lawnsite that have used the goggles say they work as good as the masks do.

I believe Wolfsnout is a sponsor here.

Wolfsnout® OFF ROAD #1 MOTOCROSS/ATV/UTV DUST MASK/FILTER/OFFROAD

Piperflyer · Jun 11, 2014

Give this a look, We use them, with either the bow or you can get them with a strap. Don't even know you have them on. They also come shaded.
3m Fectoggles Protective Eyewear, Medium: Safety Glasses: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Cherokee140 · Jun 11, 2014

I know what you mean....not long ago I had to go in to have a chunk of metal dug out of my eye....and yes I was wearing safety glasses....not the foam kind. They slipped over my regular glasses.

I have also had issues mowing the tall grass. Now I wear the fully sealed goggles (I have to keep the glasses on to see) and a good mask. Yes it is hot as he!! but it is well worth it.

I take so many **** pills now I don't want to take any others....doG only knows how they react with eachother, and I hate pills. I look at it as it is only for a few hours....I can suffer for a few hours with a mask and goggles.