Looking for Rotary Mower Chain Guards

[KiotiKowboy]

I have a Swisher 52" tow-behind Trailcutter. It came with the heavy rubberized deflectors on front and rear. I would like to replace these with chain guards. Swisher, as far as I can tell, does not sell these improvements. The 2 lengths would be about 64" and 30".

No - I don't have a welder to make my own.

Anyone know a good place to pick these up?

 

[Capricious]

Could you not cut short sections of chain, say 5 or 6 inches each in length, slide a round steel bar through an end link of each piece, and bolt the bar to the deck with short lengths of steel angle?

A right angle grinder with cut-off wheel and a drill for drilling some holes in steel would be about all that would be required.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Yes - I've thought about just slapping something like that together. But ...... If I can find a ready-made unit I'd prefer to buy one.

 

[Capricious]

If you measure chain guards on cutters on dealer lots, and find a size that will fit, you can order replacement guards for that model cutter:

http://www.ruralking.com/agricultur...ts/king-kutter-rear-chain-guard-l60-40fh.html


You will probably need to fabricate some mounting brackets, at which point, fabricating the rest of the guard may not be much additional work

 

[Coyote machine]

I have a Swisher 52" tow-behind Trailcutter. It came with the heavy rubberized deflectors on front and rear. I would like to replace these with chain guards. Swisher, as far as I can tell, does not sell these improvements. The 2 lengths would be about 64" and 30".

No - I don't have a welder to make my own.

Anyone know a good place to pick these up?

Why do you think chain guards will be better than the rubber deflectors?

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Why do you think chain guards will be better than the rubber deflectors?

Well, call it observation After 2 hours of use, one of the deflectors looked like it had been attacked by sharks. Yes, it is designed to cut trails in heavy brush - up to 3 inches - so wear is expected. Still, I can see these rubber versions are not going to have a very long life.

 

[Capricious]

I have heard that sometimes the rubber guards will hold down tall grass and prevent it from being cut. I have rubber guards on my little rotary cutter and if this appears to be happening, I have a lot of old chain and some 2 by 2 by 1/8 steel angle and will make up my own chain gaurds to replace them.

I have a stick welder (note that i did not say I knew how to weld) so I should be able to coble-up something. I think the main issue is making sure the chains are well clear of the blades.

 

[Topher265]

I have heard that sometimes the rubber guards will hold down tall grass and prevent it from being cut. I have rubber guards on my little rotary cutter and if this appears to be happening, I have a lot of old chain and some 2 by 2 by 1/8 steel angle and will make up my own chain gaurds to replace them.

I have a stick welder (note that i did not say I knew how to weld) so I should be able to coble-up something. I think the main issue is making sure the chains are well clear of the blades.

If you're worried about the chains getting sucked into the blades, you could secure the loose ends with some steel rod and a brace at each end going to the deck or whatever is close.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Just wanted to post an update on my Swisher TrailCutter.

I placed a call to Swisher Inc. to see if they had a service manual available. While on the phone with customer service, I mentioned the blade drive belt appeared to have been slipping in extremely heavy grass - and, the rear rubber debris deflector was showing some wear. just yesterday, UPS delivered a new belt and a new deflector - No Charge.

I've had enough lousy service in my life to appreciate it when things are done right. A salute to Swisher!

 

[Capricious]

Just wanted to post an update on my Swisher TrailCutter.

I placed a call to Swisher Inc. to see if they had a service manual available. While on the phone with customer service, I mentioned the blade drive belt appeared to have been slipping in extremely heavy grass - and, the rear rubber debris deflector was showing some wear. just yesterday, UPS delivered a new belt and a new deflector - No Charge.

I've had enough lousy service in my life to appreciate it when things are done right. A salute to Swisher!

I have a Swisher walk-behind field & brush mower. When it was delivered, one of the control cables (push-pull cable) had been damaged in crating/shipping. I asked Swisher for a new cable, expecting a fight, but they sent a replacement cable at no charge. I had to change it myself, but i considered that less of a hassle than taking the machine somewhere and leaving it for repair and then having to go pick it up.

The Swisher brush mower was also a lot cheaper than the alternatives (DR, Billy Goat, etc.) and in my use (very rocky Ozarks ground) seems to work just great. A few nit-picky issues, but overall i am very very happy with the machine.

 

[yelbike]

Just wanted to post an update on my Swisher TrailCutter.

I placed a call to Swisher Inc. to see if they had a service manual available. While on the phone with customer service, I mentioned the blade drive belt appeared to have been slipping in extremely heavy grass - and, the rear rubber debris deflector was showing some wear. just yesterday, UPS delivered a new belt and a new deflector - No Charge.

I've had enough lousy service in my life to appreciate it when things are done right. A salute to Swisher!

Your right, that's fantabulous service! I love hearing stories like that.

 

[Gregster613]

Boy, I sure do agree! Service and customer relations like that are what people remember. I'm going to start looking at Swisher attachments myself now! Thanks for posting. Greg

 

[Capricious]

The Swisher walk-behind brush mower, yesterday morning:

 

[MESSMAKER]

I made chain guards without a welder. I bought a tub of chain from Harbor Freight and a piece of angle and a bag of nuts and bolts from Tractor supply. I drilled holes about every inch on the angle. I cut the chain with a bolt cutter(could use grinder) into 4 link sections. I bolted it all together an then bolted it on the cutter using Threadlock. It is 5 years old and going strong. Probably has 400 hours on it. I think the total cost was about $60.

 

[KiotiKowboy]

Messmaker, that will probably be my approach - after I tear up the new rubber one they sent me

 

[Texasmark]

Kodiac makes and sells them for their 3 pt rotary cutters. I have such. You could buy an 8' (96") and cut off to get your two pieces. The chain mounts out front of the cutter on the Kodiac so that the chains can be forced back toward the blades without touching in the center where the spacing is minimum. Spacers are just steel pipe you could make yourself to fit your mower once you measure the distance you need. I'd allow a half to one inch of gap. When you don't do that and the grass pushes the chain back into the blade it makes a heckofa noise.

Other option is to mount it directly to the front of the mower and cut to fit in the center area. This however is not the best solution as your protection is compromised in the center due to short chains.

Edit: Until I saw your pic. I thought you were referring to a unit that you tow behind an ATV. The chains I mentioned would be way too heavy for your application.

HTH,
Mark

 

[Texasmark]

The Swisher walk-behind brush mower, yesterday morning:

View attachment 389567

Man I would call that "over and above the call of duty". Did you show Swisher your picture? Bet if you did they'd re think their position. Grin. You ought to be some kind of pooped out after cutting all that.

Mark