Rock Guard

[pohorsky]

This year I got tired of getting hit in the back/legs with rocks the the bushhog throws back at the operator, so I decided to try to make a rock guard for our Fergie to-30. I am thinking of making a frame that would bolt onto the holes in the rear axle out of square tubing with the cross braces and expanded metal. Any thoughts on the dimensions or design?

 

[Gary Fowler]

Make it as wide as the axle bolt holes (fender mount holes) and high enough to be over your head when seated (or standing if you mow that way). The trick will be to get past the 3 PH arms without leaving too big of a hole in the metal.
One thing you might consider is purchasing a ROPS for the tractor as it uses the same bolt holes for mounting and then adding the expanded metal to the ROPS. That way you have roll over protection along with the FOPS (in this case flying object protection system)

 

[Ed of all trades]

Why not just buy cheep chain and cut it into 6" long pieces or what ever works and bolt them to the front of the bush hog? You might have to make a bump out in the center so the chain can't reach the blades. With the 3PH in the way it looks simpler.

 

[Sysop]

I like both those options. I'd either add a ROPS to have more to mount to, or I'd do all my mods to the front of the cutter.

As another thought, which may be the proper solution; set your tail wheel up a notch or two and keep the three point a little lower. A rotary cutter actually works best when it isn't exactly level as it's not making contact with materials during the entire rotation of the blades and they can fully swing out for the best tip speeds. Having it a little "tail high" when cutting keeps more deck between you and the blades and expels more of the waste from the rear of the unit.

 

[Thomas]

I agree w/the chains,not unless other needs for guard.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Chain curtain in the front is the best solution. But fenders would help you overall:shocked:

 

[pohorsky]

Thanks for all the replies. I could try chain but I'm not sure how well it would work. Right now there is a 6 inch piece of rubber bolted to the front and I'm not sure what that does. At the same time, I would worry about 6-10" chain getting sucked into or pushed into the blade by the weeds, but the bump might work. The other thing I wonder is how it would hold up with the rocks already taking a toll on the mower.
As far as angling the mower, I do that already, but our ground is very uneven. The fenders are long gone. When we got the tractor they were missing.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Chain curtains guards are actually required in many circumstances (front and rear). Rubber is not sufficient, but some companies scrape by with it. Chain is much safer and will stop much more material. I'd worry more about the lack of fenders than anything. There's a lot more danger there than a chain curtain on a rotary cutter. Here is a google image search. You'll see it's pretty standard.
https://www.google.com/search?q=rot...a=X&ei=CBtIVe6XFIiZyATZ54GQCQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAg

 

[pohorsky]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the problem with no fenders?

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Dangerous. I know of several People have gotten seriously hurt or killed and carried off their tractors, under wheels and under disks harrows and rotary cutters due to lack of fenders. They not only keep you from falling off, but protect you from getting dragged off the tractor by things coming off the wheel or limbs/rocks that get stuck through the rims. They keep you from falling sideways into the tires if the tractor lurches over a hidden stump or into a hidden hole etc. The grab and force of the rotating tire is much stronger than you think and you will not be able to hit the clutch or brake fast enough.