left front fender

[greyhound 7]

 Hello, I have a 87 418 A wheel horse with kohler 16 hp twin. Question : Since its been bone dry here in west central ohio I have been cleaning the screen over the flywheel quite often when I mow. Did they ever make a factory front fender to keep the grass off the screen? Has any one made a fender and how do you fasten it to the tractor , by the axle? I am sure I am not the only one with this problem.  Thanks 

[SylvanLakeWH 25,698]

Here's an idea...

 

@Ed Kennell...

 

Ive seen others use standard metal trailer fenders as well...

 

[Lee1977 6,698]

I don't think front fenders will  make much difference at keeping the screen clean. We get dry here and I have to brush the trash off screen also. 

Here is a picture of my 312-8 from the first of April. We are extremely wet now with high grass after Debby went through.

[pfrederi 17,783]

It is what blows out the front of your deck that causes it.  If i remember correctly someone attached some conveyor belt rubber to the front of the deck.  i just have a brush hanging on the choke knob... reach around occasionally and sweep it off. 

[sjoemie himself 3,068]

21 hours ago, pfrederi said:

brush hanging on the choke knob... reach around occasionally and sweep it off. 

 

Rubber strip on the deck is pretty good IMHO.

Your brush gave me an idea, maybe attach a bristle strip over the screen to automatically brush debris off?

 

[peter lena 8,682]

@sjoemie himself regularly  experiment  with issue  cures , first look for INTENDED FUNCTION , then get after  , where does it hang up ? like a roller stool , to verify what's going on . was thinking  , related carb / air filter , often has a light foam rubber outer  cover , to defend debris , just  remove , shake out / reinstall . won't  get it  quickly , try / test / try ,  another thing is that the cure , is often very easy , center  of engine cooling fan  , is vacuum cleaner basic , screen shows that  . pete

[peter lena 8,682]

@ lee 1977 ,  glairing to me , perfect stage , penetrating oil spray down that unit  , spray it down and just leave it , for a day or two , then wipe down  with a clean oiled cloth , just wipe it down , look at effect , if there is a clean depth to the paint , personally , use a 6 " electric palm buffer , with cleaner wax, have brought back a lot of paint like that, that would be PAINT RECOVERY ,  no sanding or abrasive  anything , let the oil do the work , pete  

[peter lena 8,682]

@ lee 1977     like this , pete 

 

[Brockport Bill 1,678]

I have c175 Hydro mower tractor using a 42 s.d. mower deck....my engine screen also accumulates grass .....I just use leaf blower after every mowing to clean entire tractor and deck including screen...I also give extra attention to engine and hydro fins to be sure they stay clean.....as well as hydro fan.

[johnnymag3 2,520]

     The fixed brush idea will only keep debris off of the visible surface of the screen....it is still going to be sucked in and guided over the top of the engine and the head cooling fins as designed.

The block off in front of the mower deck is a better idea. Blow out debris after each mow to keep overheating problems away, and I like the hanging brush idea ...especially if you are mowing for long periods. The increased airflow is beneficial whenever that engine is running!  

[Bill D 1,928]

@kpinncmodified an Exmark deck for use on his 520.  The better airflow on the commercial deck prevented clippings from building up on the air intake screen.  

 

As good decks become harder to find has anyone considered the possibility of fabricating new deck shells.  I modified a Bobcat deck with some success, but it needs additional baffles for better air flow.  Modifying decks from other brands is difficult.  I found a company online,  ICF Industries, that makes deck shells, but the cost to build  deck shells with better air flow for a Wheel Horse is probably prohibitive.

Edited August 15 by Bill D