Spring is here! Started up the LT35HD for the first time

[DanMc]

After weeks of the deep freeze, things are warming up here in MA and we have our first day that's almost 70 degrees.  I took the cover off the mill head and the engine came to life on the first crank.  What a happy sound!

Quick question:  Is there an easy was to make sure that there's not a mouse nest inside the flywheel housing, that could plug up the engine's cooling fins?  Last spring when I fired it up after winter, I saw some grass and little bits of junk coming out of the engine, but I ignored that and got to work.  This year there was no debris flying out, but now I feel guilty and maybe I should be more careful to check.  

It's probably safest to remove the flywheel shroud and get a good look, but maybe there's an inspection port somewhere?

[240b]

i too started the mill today after 4 months! 
   last year it chopped up the mice and sent them out the back 
  there is still a leg caught by the spark plug  it was 65° it felt like 90 

[Resonator]

I've got a 19hp Kohler on my LT28, and l leave the cover off the flywheel. I had a major mouse-house mess inside it a couple years ago, and since leaving it off they haven't been back. I periodically check inside the air cleaner cover, the air filter, and anywhere else around the engine for intruders that got in.
Have had birds in early summer try building nests inside the blade enclosure too. I stuff rags in the openings around the blade if it sits idle for weeks to prevent this.

[DanMc]

"..... l leave the cover off the flywheel."

That's probably not a good thing for the engine.  That shroud is pretty important to channel air from the flywheel and to push it across the cylinder cooling fins.  Without it, you may be overheating the cylinders.

[Rhodemont]

I also pulled the cover on my LT35 yesterday for first time in months.  Before final covering for the winter I had packed some drier sheets and moth balls where mice have been before.  No signs of any so fired right up.  Have a couple more day of yarding logs then gotta get sawing.

[Resonator]

I believe the cover is more a safety guard for keeping anything from getting caught in the spinning flywheel. But I'm not a small engine technician, so I stand corrected if that's the case.

[DanMc]

I believe the cover is more a safety guard for keeping anything from getting caught in the spinning flywheel. But I'm not a small engine technician, so I stand corrected if that's the case.

Ask around.  I think it's both.

[doc henderson]

The shroud participates in funneling air over the head and cylinder fins.  the round cover over the flywheel is more of a debris and finger shield, IMHO.  The flywheel is the "fan" the creates air flow and adds momentum to smooth the rotation of the engine.  

[fluidpowerpro]

In a past life I sold cooling fans for engines. One factor used during the design of the machine was the tip clearance between the blade and shroud. 
Less clearance moved more air, more clearance used less HP.

Based on that I would say the shroud is likely needed to be in place for the set up to work as the manufacturer intended it.