Quick-release shield mounting

A shield for a rotary mower blade drive is received on locating dowels fixed to the blade housing and are retained thereon by a pair of U-shaped latch rods that are either vertically pivotally mounted to the shield or vertically pivotally mounted to the housing. In the case where the rods are carried by the shield, they are located beneath gauge wheel support members which are fixed to the housing and have recesses which receive the rods when the latter are in upright, resiliently deflected conditions wherein they bias the shield against the blade housing. In the case where the rods are carried by the housing, the shield has raised portions which define recesses which receive the rods when the latter are in upright, resiliently deflected conditions wherein they bias the shield against the blade housing. In both cases, the shields are properly located by dowels or pins fixed to the housing.