I have my camera and i'll snap a couple of pictures
I have leaned on that thing a couple of times, not during flight or rotors running and i would hate to try and break it in the hover, the resultant snap would surely end in disaster. Our checklist calls for the guard to be re-installed after the hydraulic checks but before bringing the engines to fly and then finally removing it for take off. I did question this and was told it had something to do with a certain rpm (70%/77% sorings to mind) being bad for the blades/mast as the rrpm increases to fly and the cyclic not being centered.
I personally don't re-install the guard after the hydraulic checks, i just keep an eye on the MMI and keep it centered.
anyway as i was saying i'll try to post those pictures