Spindle covers - On or off? Post your Pro and Cons here.

[echris 1,425]

Covers off:
Easier to keep clean.

Covers on:
Looks better
Safer if others are using the machine.

[varosd 1,185]

On

safer

 

[JAinVA 4,619]

Covers off.Seen to many decks ruined by buildup under them.There are risks, but I never mow without boots on.

Edited June 24, 2020 by JAinVA

[WHX?? 48,795]

Good topic guy... Off ... you put yer fingers or toes wher they don't belong yer own fault. I don't mow in sandals or flip flops either. I wear steel toed safety boots and other appropriate safety gear. I have been known to bypass seat switches.  Call me an outlaw. 

Edited June 24, 2020 by WHX24

[ebinmaine 67,309]

3 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

Call me an outlaw

You're an Outlaw

[ebinmaine 67,309]

36 minutes ago, varosd said:

On

safer

 

 

5 minutes ago, JAinVA said:

Covers off.Seen to many decks ruined by buildup under them.There are risks, but I never mow with boots on.

 

 

Have to admit I can see the logic in both.

 

Trina and I don't have any safety switches on any of our tractors but there are also ZERO small children around and we don't run any engine driven implements.

 

 

I'd have to vote to leave them ON but be super conscious about cleaning out the area underneath every time you mow.

 

[JoeM 7,871]

I like the ones, (spindle covers), with the open ends. Some don't go back on cause the threads get shot, loosen and rattle. I really can't remember my foot slipping off and hitting the deck.

The hillside I cut, there is no way to use a regular seat switch. I have had one hooked up and used a sponge inside the seat to create a delay. But normally I disconnect. No one else runs the machines now.

[echris 1,425]

46 minutes ago, WHX24 said:

Good topic guy... Off ... you put yer fingers or toes wher they don't belong yer own fault. I don't mow in sandals or flip flops either. I wear steel toed safety boots and other appropriate safety gear. I have been known to bypass seat switches.  Call me an outlaw. 

True.
Remember when the "new" safety stickers came out in the late 80's graphically showing fingers and toes cut off, all the guys at the shop were like, "Well, duh."

[SylvanLakeWH 25,494]

OSHA Haiku:

 

Keep all your fingers

Keep all your toes on both feet

Keep guards or lose both

 

 

 

[WHX?? 48,795]

2 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

ZERO small children around

Makes a difference EB.... none around here and if their was maybe not so inclined to bypass switches. Personally  I cringe when I see Pullstart posting pics of my nieces operating machinery in flip flops or by the highway. No good will come of that my .

Edited June 24, 2020 by WHX24

[Stormin 9,981]

 No covers on either of my decks. Reasons. (1) 42" deck ones rotten. (2) Easier to clean. My decks are removed for cleaning after every mow. (3) I'm not going to stick any digits under there when things are running. (4) No Rug Rats here when mowing.

[tom2p 2,394]

deck ruined because of buildup under spindle covers ?

 

I'm familiar with decks ruined from lack of maintenance to the underside - but have not seen a deck fail due to buildup under spindle covers

 

I cut grass for years with spindle covers completely packed with grass clippings with no issues ... other than a slight sheen on the deck belt  lol

when I do get some extra time I will sometimes grab a long twig or short skinny tree branch and poke some of the grass that is packed inside the cover - but again I've never had an issue from the grass buildup 

 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

10 hours ago, ebinmaine said:

You're an Outlaw

[953 nut 55,099]

I am in the keep the covers on camp. You should be aware of your surroundings and dress for the job but the guards are an extra measure of safety. 

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

Mine are open to at the end. I leave them 

on. I do a pressure wash after every 

mow. Then l kick back with a cold adult 

beverage and watch it dry. !!

[71_Bronco 1,072]

I run my covers on, but my application may not be applicable, as I mow with a gear-drive deck  

[squonk 41,038]

Get a blow gun and an air compressor. Takes 5 min to blow all the grass out. Leave the covers on. They didn't put them there to sell more sheet metal! 

[Goldnboy 910]

I agree with squonk, on many decks the end of the belt covers are open so its really simple to blow it the junk , however  I am like WHX24 and have small children  and have disabled  some safety  switches but not all,  and I always have at least one enabled  to protect,  usually the PTO  switch. 

[lynnmor 7,302]

I still have a numb left foot from stepping on that spinning pulley over 20 years ago.  I lost my balance on a slope and put my foot down, that steel pulley will cut thru any type of shoe in a fraction of a second.  I'm a believer in guards now.

[Kelsey 91]

Both sides have great reasons for the spindle covers.

 

I leave the WH spindle covers off only because of grass clippings build up

and I'm the only one on the tractor. Also, I use a leaf blower to clean the

top side of the deck. The WH dealer that I bought the C100 from shared

with me 34 years ago to use a brush to clean the top side and don't use

a water hose. I still use his advice.

+1 for wearing boots while mowing.

[rick 233]

I think I will cut the ends off the covers on my 48" sd.  I always blow the mower off after cutting, but the last time I took the covers off there was a mess underneath. Need to direct the air in the right place!

[Lee1977 6,648]

i've kept my cover on for the last 43 years it's just has one cover on the SD 48. It gets cleaned under the cover once or twice a year never that much under there unless mulching leafs.  Ninty percent of the time they get a airbath before putting them inside.  If I have a deck off it gets cleaned up before it goes back on.  I seems to me that the deck got a lot heaver then  it was 40 years ago, so I'm not as eager to take one off. I useally have to have a good reason to take one of if it's not the end of the season.

Edited August 3, 2020 by Lee1977

[rjg854 11,351]

I always keep the covers in place, after 66 years, I still have all my toes and fingers.  And my plan is to keep it that way.