$ on used bush hog batwing

[Soundguy]

Our local tractor dealer has a batwing by bush hog I believe.. 15'.. has the hyd hoese and pto shaft ( 1000 rpm ), A few dents.. very minor rust.. nothing structural.. just rust in the dents wher ethe paint got scratched. Tail wheels good.. bushing good.. boxes bont leak.

Any idea of value?

Soundguy

 

[gabby]

Hey Soundguy,

What's the model number? I had a BH 315 bat wing and I can tell you all about that model.

After owning a bat wing and later owning 10 foot solid deck mowers I can tell you that bat wings aren't worth the extra money and maintenance, imo, and they need at least a 100 hp tractor. I miss that danged old batwing as much as a hemorrhoid. I got $1000 trade-in on it and was happy to see it leave.

I'm now running a Deere HX-10 pull type mower behind a Ford 7610 tractor to clip pastures. I run in 7th gear at half throttle and I cover a lot of ground fast, at 8 or 9 mph.
gabby

 

[Soundguy]

I think it may be a 315.. tag was damaged.

I think the estimate of 100hp is a bit too high. Our county mows with 6610s and 7610s.. I see the 7610s with 15' batwings.

I will be powering it with a 7610s.

I currently have a fixed 10' deck.. I mow in 5th and high.. probably similar speed you are mowing. about 10ac in 2.5 hrs or so.

Are they really that much of a pain?

Soundguy

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

I'm running a Bush Hog "Legend" behind a 130 HP Deere 4440. It's about 2 years old now (the mower) Under certain conditions, they aren't too bad, maintanence wise... Since you'll be using it yourself, it PROBABLY won't go through the torture test like some will. (I'm speaking of units used by employee's) Also, you will most likely "un-fold" it, use it for a mowing job, then fold it back up. It's the constant fold/unfold that takes the biggest tole on them.

Bush Hog and Rhino/Alamo/Shulte brand batwings aren't the nightmare that a Woods batwing seems to be either....

75 to 80 HP will handle a 15' er with little trouble for upkeep of pastures. You wouldn't want to tackle heavy brush with that combo, but it sounds like you're going to be doing "light duty".

IF and WHEN a batwing starts needing parts/repairs, get a firm grip on the wallet.... They can suck your bank account dry. Most batwing owners who use them heavy will just replace when the trouble starts. It's cheaper in the long run. Make certain you don't get someone elses worn out mower and you should do OK.

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> Are they really that much of a pain? </font>

No they are not a pain at all. My old Rhino has about 7000 hours on it and still cuts and runs great. I changed the hydraulic hoses last summer for the first time.

My 85 HP PTO has more than enough power to operate it. Why someone would need 100 HP I'm not sure. With the flexwings, changing blades on the side decks are a piece of cake. The middle one gives much more of a challenge.

If you grease your spindles regularly and keep the gear oil levels correct, that mower should give you no troubles. You will love the flexwing if you end up getting it.

 

[have_blue]

Sorry I can't answer your main question (price). I guess most of us have CUT's and "settled" land that uses the lighter stuff.

I see a lot of batwings around here, but they are being run by the Parish road maintenance crews. I bet you could buttonhole one of the guys in your area and he could tell you a lot about the equipment from years of experience. I also bet there is a lot of batwings on auctions and the used market because I am seeing a lot of boom style mowers replacing pull-behind when possible in my area.

 

[MMM]

15' batwings in good shape average $3k around here.

 

[EastTexFrank]

I think most manufacturers recommend a minimum of 50 hp for a 15' batwing and 70/75 hp for a 20'. It always seemed a little low to me but that's from about 2 years ago when I was doing some serious research into batwing mowers. I never did get one so I can't comment on their reliabilty. Most used units I've seen advertised around here seem to go in the range of $3,000 to $7,000 but again, I don't know the hours or the condition.

The few people I've talked to that have used a bat wing either love them or hate them. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot in between. I suppose it boils down to their particular experience with their particular model. I don't think they would be so popular with the county mowers if maintenance was a major problem but it's maybe as the other poster said, at the first sign of trouble ... trade it.

 

[gabby]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I think most manufacturers recommend a minimum of 50 hp for a 15' batwing and 70/75 hp for a 20'. It always seemed a little low to me but that's from about 2 years ago when I was doing some serious research into batwing mowers. )</font>

That's too low by nearly half. When you're cruising along and hit a patch of thick stuff you will choke down the engine in a big hurry if you believe those specs.

The whole reason for a big mower is to cover ground fast. You won't accomplish that if it's underpowered. You need horsepower and beef to properly handle a big mower. Big tractors also ride better and they will pull a big mower out of a bog much better.

If I ever run a 15' batwing again, it will be with 100hp or more. It's just not worth the strain on the tractor and the operator to use less.
gabby

 

[Gatorboy]

<font color="blue"> If I ever run a 15' batwing again, it will be with 100hp or more </font>

My dad's mowing business (of 18 years) runs 20' Rhino Super-Heavy Duty mowers 8 hours/day with John Deere 7210's (w/Air Cab) which I believe is 90-95 HP PTO. I'm sure if they needed more HP, they would have bought larger tractors.

My 85 HP PTO Kubota has power to spare running my 15' Rhino, and it would also handle a 20' model -- for it has pulled 20' ones in the past.