Engine grass screen assembly

An engine grass screen assembly comprising:

• a plurality of stud mechanisms each of which are securable to either an engine flywheel assembly or an engine fan assembly;
• a grass screen, the grass screen for covering an air intake port of the engine and including a domed portion, a peripheral portion that substantially surrounds the domed portion, and an array of holes that is formed in at least one of the domed and peripheral portions;
• a grass screen stiffening mechanism for supporting the grass screen;
• a plurality of washer mechanisms for compressing the screen such that the screen remains in compression during engine operation;
• and
• a plurality of connecting mechanisms for securably engaging the plurality of washer mechanisms, the grass screen and the grass screen stiffening mechanism to the plurality of stud mechanisms.

A method of assembling and positioning a grass screen assembly in an engine having at least one of a fan assembly and a flywheel assembly, the method comprising:

• securing a plurality of stud mechanisms to either the engine flywheel assembly or the engine fan assembly;
• providing a grass screen assembly, the grass screen assembly including a grass screen for covering an air intake port of the engine, a grass screen stiffening mechanism for providing an additional stiffness to the grass screen;
• and a plurality of washer mechanisms for compressing the screen;
• and
• connecting the grass screen, the grass screen stiffening mechanism, and the plurality of washer mechanisms of the grass screen assembly to at least one of the plurality of stud mechanisms so as to pre-stress the grass screen using at least one of the plurality of washer mechanisms, such that the screen remains in compression during engine operation.