A guard for a seal of a wheeled industrial machine, the guard comprising an cylindrical, annular body having a first plate, a second plate with an upper portion and a lower portion, and a connecting portion extending between the first plate and the second plate; wherein the first plate extends in a radially inward direction from the connecting portion and includes a plurality of holes; wherein the upper portion is configured to extend into a corresponding slot of a rotating element of a wheel of the wheeled industrial machine; and wherein the lower portion is configured to extend toward an axle of the wheeled industrial machine.