BATWING OWNERS: How do you have your hydraulics set up?

[Glowplug]

I have often entertained the idea of some day getting a batwing. I have 3 sets of rear remotes. My dealer told me I didn't really need that for a batwing but I could basically spool the two wings to be controlled with a single remote. But I kind of like the idea of using a separate lever and remote to control each wing and a 3rd to raise and lower the deck. Just wondering how some of the batwing owners have their hydraulics arranged and if there are any words of wisdom. Thanks.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

You CAN put both wings on one circuit. I have them on seperate circuits.

 

[radman1]

Most batwing mowers including my Jd, have one set of hydraulics to raise both wings. Jd has a kit that allows both wings to be raised individually by using 2 remotes. The kit just consists of more hoses and disconnecting the "T" that currently splits the single hose to each side. This could be done to any batwing mower. Just buy some extra hydraulic hose, a hose coupler and a few connectors. I can't see a big advantage to have each wing being operated separately. I can't raise one wing and mow with the other down unless I disconnected one of the wing pto shafts.
I do have float position on my hydraulics for the wings. It is needed with Jd to get enough movement in the wings. It is less needed for some other manufactures.

 

[chh]

The Rhino and Bush Hog brand mowers I have bought all came with the hoses for 3 set of remotes. I have always only had 2 sets, so I have always ended up buying a T and tying the wings into one circuit. I have seen ads claiming that these mowers can cut with 1 wing at 90 degrees up. Personally I'm not comfortable watching the blades spinning around in the up position so I've never tried it.

 

[Glowplug]

The Rhino and Bush Hog brand mowers I have bought all came with the hoses for 3 set of remotes. I have always only had 2 sets, so I have always ended up buying a T and tying the wings into one circuit. I have seen ads claiming that these mowers can cut with 1 wing at 90 degrees up. Personally I'm not comfortable watching the blades spinning around in the up position so I've never tried it.

I wouldn't want to do that for other reasons. . .like the amount of stress that would be placed on the driveline joint. I don't think those are CV joints. The advantage that I could imagine with the wings operated independently would be if you were approaching an obstacle (ie rock) and without slowing much just lift that one wing, go over the rock, then lower it without missing a beat. Of course I have no experience and that's partly why I started this thread.

 

[Soundguy]

I wouldn't want to do that for other reasons. . .like the amount of stress that would be placed on the driveline joint. I don't think those are CV joints. The advantage that I could imagine with the wings operated independently would be if you were approaching an obstacle (ie rock) and without slowing much just lift that one wing, go over the rock, then lower it without missing a beat. Of course I have no experience and that's partly why I started this thread.

My batwing doesn't have CV joints.. so i for sure wouldn't want to lift one wing, while on the go ( mowing ).. to clear that rock... my manual states what a safe maximum angle range onthe wings are.. If it were me.. I'd lift the entire deck to miss the rock... and I'd only do that once.. as i'd move the dang rock when i was done with the field... Just dump it on the deck after the last pass before you head to the barn..


My JD 1517 uses 2 remotes.. one for the deck lift, and one for both wings..


soundguy

 

[Glowplug]

My batwing doesn't have CV joints.. so i for sure wouldn't want to lift one wing, while on the go ( mowing ).. to clear that rock... my manual states what a safe maximum angle range onthe wings are.. If it were me.. I'd lift the entire deck to miss the rock... and I'd only do that once.. as i'd move the dang rock when i was done with the field... Just dump it on the deck after the last pass before you head to the barn..


My JD 1517 uses 2 remotes.. one for the deck lift, and one for both wings..


soundguy

That's probably a safer and better way to do it. But I wasn't talking about lifting the wing 90 degrees but more like 10-15 degrees, just enough to clear a small obstacle. I would imagine the wings could and would flex that much when mowing on uneven terrain and not put much stress on the driveline joints.

 

[radman1]

That's probably a safer and better way to do it. But I wasn't talking about lifting the wing 90 degrees but more like 10-15 degrees, just enough to clear a small obstacle. I would imagine the wings could and would flex that much when mowing on uneven terrain and not put much stress on the driveline joints.

My JD is ok to go 45 degrees in the raised postion and 22 degrees in the down postion. Probably similar for others.

 

[mlauk]

I've mowed with mine at 90 deg for a short period of time. Rhino specs out at 90 deg up and 22 deg down.

 

[Glowplug]

I've mowed with mine at 90 deg for a short period of time. Rhino specs out at 90 deg up and 22 deg down.

I don't know if I'd do that but for a VERY short time at best. But I have heard of some of the guys mowing the right of way for the highways with one wing straight up before.

But what about the question at hand? How do you guys have your hydraulic arrangement?

 

[mlauk]

I've got 2 remotes, 1 for for raising the deck and the 2nd for both wings.

 

[radman1]

I use one set of remotes for the wings. Another set to raise the mower.

 

[marksmu]

I was pretty surprised to get this far into the replies and not have anyone mention the pros and cons of two remotes vs. three.

If your tractor has 3 remotes you should by all means use all 3. Alot of people combine the cylinders on the two wings to one remote b/c they only have 2 remotes on the tractor.

If you have 3 and you have for instance a ditch to mow, you can drop one wing in the ditch, lower the main blade, and then set the second wing at an appropriate height to keep a clean cut without scalping the edges. You can also raise a wing slightly to clear stumps, rocks, culverts, etc, without going way off course.

You can certainly get by with only 2 remotes, but its advantageous to have 3, and if you have the remotes on the tractor already, its certainly not more work to reach over and hit 1 more lever.

Thats my opinion. I have 2 BW's, one 15' and one 20' and have them both set up for 3 remotes.

 

[Glowplug]

I was pretty surprised to get this far into the replies and not have anyone mention the pros and cons of two remotes vs. three.

If your tractor has 3 remotes you should by all means use all 3. Alot of people combine the cylinders on the two wings to one remote b/c they only have 2 remotes on the tractor.

If you have 3 and you have for instance a ditch to mow, you can drop one wing in the ditch, lower the main blade, and then set the second wing at an appropriate height to keep a clean cut without scalping the edges. You can also raise a wing slightly to clear stumps, rocks, culverts, etc, without going way off course.

You can certainly get by with only 2 remotes, but its advantageous to have 3, and if you have the remotes on the tractor already, its certainly not more work to reach over and hit 1 more lever.

Thats my opinion. I have 2 BW's, one 15' and one 20' and have them both set up for 3 remotes.

Great post Mark! Thanks!