This is a BAD MOTOSCOTTER. I had it buried and the L8 didn't miss a beat. I ran it in Low Low a little above an idle and it tore the ground like a backhoe.
My garden is loose soil, but it does pack between the summer and fall garden giving the TROY a hard time breaking up the soil. As for as the shield, I really don't know if I will make one, run it slow and you do not throw dirt all over. I did put it in High for a while and it almost threw dirt over the fence. Will do more testing and see if I need a shield.
Thanks for the help
BUD