Strange metal part

[dieselkelly]

While I was merrily mowing along on my MTD ride-on, it suddenly stopped dead. It sounded like I hit something metal, although I was in the middle of our large 1 ac back lawn. When I checked it out there was a long piece of metal caught between the blades but still attached to the deck. It looked like a blade but was not, it seemed to have been attached to the inside of the mower deck at the front.
Can anyone tell me what this is? Thanks

 

[RandyT]

It is probably one of the baffles, that directs the flow of grass under the deck. May be one of the slid medal pieces on the bottom of deck could of come off, but I vote for a grass baffle.

 

[dieselkelly]

My small engine guy told me it is the "skid plate" attached to the front of the deck on the inside. It is put on with wire ties and came loose. One of the blades caught it and ripped it off. I had to replace the blades, they were so badly damaged. We left the "skid plate" off. I think it is meant to protect the inside of the deck.