painting a JD 709 Chopper

I have a JD Bush Hog I am going to try and blast and repaint this next couple weekends. Just the main deck-not worried about gearboxes or PTO tower or anything. It is pretty rough so even my amateur painting should make it look a lot better.

I know on a tractor you have to assume blasting material will get everywhere.

Is there anything special I should to to protect tower bearings, area around Slip Clutches, PTO shaft, wheel hubs, etc. to avoid causing damage while blasting? or am I being over cautious?

You're not being overly cautious. The grit will get everywhere, including places it's not wanted. Ideally, I'd take it all apart so I could blast just the deck portion without worry. If that is not feasible you can try to mask off those areas that shouldn't see grit. Masking tape and paper is not enough. A heavy tarp-like canvas and a double course of duct tape will help and, if done well, can provide protection for a limited time. Even a double course of duct tape will give way after a short period under the blast nozzle. If grit gets into any bearings or gears, you can kiss them goodby so you'll have to evaluate the risk yourself. I sandblasted some of the outside upper rear portion of a car once and wound up ruining a pair of expensive Sony rear deck speakers. How grit ever found its' way into the interior of the trunk and then up into the voice coils of both speakers I do not know to this day. At the time I was sure no grit could get into the interior - but somehow it did.

Rod