Rubber or Chain guards on Rotary Cutter

[DenmanBC]

I am planning to purchase a RCR1872 Landpride Rotary cutter. It comes with either chain or rubber guards.

Pros and Cons from experts would help.

Thanks!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I am no expert, however, when I ordered mine, I went with chains.

If something is shooting out at mach 3(insert ridicules speed here) , I want some steel in between me and it.

Also, it seems like it would be rather simple to replace small sections of chain if ever needed

 

[edritchey]

I am no expert, however, when I ordered mine, I went with chains.

If something is shooting out at mach 3(insert ridicules speed here) , I want some steel in between me and it.

Also, it seems like it would be rather simple to replace small sections of chain if ever needed

This is exactly why I went with the chain guards

 

[Elliott in GA]

I would think either would be fine. I have an RCR 1860 with rubber, and after 4 years and reclaiming 12+ acres of really overgrown fields the skirt is in great shape. To the best of my knowledge, it has stopped everything (rocks, gravel, limbs, boards, PVC pipe and who knows what else) from escaping.

The advantage to the chains is longer life, but they cost and weigh more. I would also think that the chains would tend to catch debris. I have spent a fair amount of time backing over 1-2 inch privet hedge, and the rubber skirt does not collect debris.

 

[Outnumbered]

Chains! I had the unfortunate experience of a softball sized rock break my ankle years ago being kicked out from under the bush hog while operating it. It was an old bush hog on the ole Ford tractor no chains and enough room around the tires and foot boards to allow for a perfect deflection. At first I thought I had bee shot while on the tractor. The Kubota is much better protected around the feet and I have chains on the bush hog for it!

 

[jimh406]

I've heard some say that chains in back distribute the grass more evenly.

 

[jyoutz]

I am planning to purchase a RCR1872 Landpride Rotary cutter. It comes with either chain or rubber guards.

Pros and Cons from experts would help.

Thanks!

Get the chains. The rubber on my Landpr cutter is torn and now I’m going to order the chains.

 

[DenmanBC]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.

 

[SDT]

I am planning to purchase a RCR1872 Landpride Rotary cutter. It comes with either chain or rubber guards.

Pros and Cons from experts would help.

Thanks!

After over 50 years of experience with many tractor/mower combinations, I prefer belting on the front and chains on the back for most conditions.

Chains are more effective in slowing the discharge of large and/or heavy objects but add weight and cost.

Belting is lighter, less expensive, and much better for keeping debris from the back of the tractor. Accordingly, I usually specify belting for the front. Yes, belting will require replacement from time to time, especially if cutting brush, or routinely hitting obstacles.

If one cuts mostly grass and does not hit rocks or other obstacles, belting is fine for the rear.

 

[McMXi]

I have a Land Pride RCR1884 and Land Pride RC3712 and both have chains front and rear, which is my preference. The Del Morino flail has steel flaps along the front which certainly work, and possibly better than chains even. I've run over some big stuff with the flail.