Batwing finish mover that can operate with one or both wings up

[pclausen]

I'm looking for a tri-deck (batwing) finish mover that allows operating (blades spinning) while raising one or both side decks.

I know that just about all rotary cutters (JD MX15, Woods BW180, etc) allows this, for I have yet to come across a finish mover that does and I'm not sure I understand why.

A batwing finish mover has 3 spindles under each deck instead of just 1 on a batwing cutter, but why should that prevent operating with the deck raised? Maybe the angles of the drive-shafts are more severe due to the triple spindle decks being shorter than the longer single spindle single spindle ones?

I have a need to move between trees that are less than 15' apart and along river banks where there are trees closer than 15', but I also have 10+ acres of open area where a 15' finish mover could really cut moving time down.

I currently have a 90" finish mover (Woods RM990), but I was looking to sell it towards the purchase of the batwing finish mover. I suppose I could keep the Woods and use it for "trimming", but I'd rather not have to swap implements every week if I can help it.

Anyone know of any brand of tri-deck/batwing finish mover that allows operating with one or both side decks in the raised position?

Thanks!

 

[foreman Etexas]

 

[leonz]

I do not think you will find one unless you go to
a Gemelli towed or integral flail mower or an
Alamo boom mounted finish flail mower
with hydraulic drive as the gearboxes will have be
disconnected to use the center mower.

 

[aczlan]

Looks like the ProgressiveTD65 and TD65-2 have quick connects on both ends of all PTO shafts, so you could disconnect the side deck PTO shafts before using it with the wings up.
Produce page: Progressive Turf
Manual: http://www.progressiveturfequip.com/products/td/manuals/TD65 Manual.pdf
Brochure: http://www.luber.com/docs/progressive/ProgressiveTriDeck.pdf
Specs: Specifications

Aaron Z

 

[pclausen]

That would work Aaron! Thanks for the links. Looks like well built units. I'm seeing used TD65 ~ $4500 and up. New they seem similarly priced to the Woods/Frontier units.

 

[geko]

Have a look at Trimax mowers - the stealth or the Pegasus could work for you I think.

 

[leonz]

Have a look at Trimax mowers - the stealth or the
Pegasus could work for you I think.

The last time I chatted with them
they only had one national distributor in Georgia.


The other thing is that you specifically said that you wanted a
mower that would work with one or both wings folded
up and spinning requiring a gearbox and propeller shafts that would
work at a ninety degree angle when raised.

The drive belts for these Trimax mowers are slack when elevated.

 

[geko]

Apologies, I thought he meant a cutter that would operate an individual deck (centre for example) if the other was lifted?

 

[aczlan]

Apologies, I thought he meant a cutter that would operate an individual deck (centre for example) if the other was lifted?

That is what I got out of it. He said that he has some areas where 10' cutter would fit, but not a 15 and other areas where there is all kinds of space to be mowed.
Having a mower that you could lift and disconnect one wing to make the mower width 10' for the 10' areas and use both wings where you have space seems to be his object.

On the Trimax mowers, I dont like the roller on the deck. There have been quite a few people who have had problems with those freezing up on flail mowers due to the crud that they run through getting into the bearings, so I would go for a wheeled mower instead unless you need to stripe your lawn.

Aaron Z

 

[geko]

I don't run one but looked into it for sports field contract cutting & they seemed to be next to no maintenance - a good grease and they're good to go! Looked at Rytec flails too, batwing mower that allows decks to be run separately, they're mainly do forestry/farming machines so should be sturdy enough for cutting.