Rotary Cutter Do Batwing Mowers Increase Lateral Stability on Hills?

[4Papa]

I've got a 100hp, (9K lbs) filled rear tires tractor pulling a Bush Hog 2215, 15' batwing. For now I'm mowing about 6 acres of former horse pasture on a slope that varies from 5% to 20-30%. As I'm a fair chicken on slopes, I usually run straight up and down on the steepest sections, but that often causes scalping and damaging the blades. So, I'm now wondering, when pulling the mower--as opposed to nothing up front or in back--is the tractor more stable on the hills? My logic suggests yes, because the 4,500# mower with its extremely low center of gravity lowers the tractor's center of gravity, at least near the draw bar. With an HD attachment carried low on the front forks, the low CoG will move forward. Any thoughts? I'd like to mow across the slope, or at least on the transverse angle to keep from beating up my mower and blades. Thanks in advance.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would not bet on that at all. I have an integrated 10' 56hp bat wing mower that has tremenous capabilty on hills. Can run circles around my steiner, but it's all one unit.

 

[4570Man]

How heavy is the draw bar on the bush hog?

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's just crazy. I mean the wings are of no consequence in this case. It's like asking if you have a trailer with a heavy tongue weight, if you can drive on steeper slopes!

 

[4570Man]

That's just crazy. I mean the wings are of no consequence in this case. It's like asking if you have a trailer with a heavy tongue weight, if you can drive on steeper slopes!

Not entirely. Adding more weight on a low point like the draw bar would lower the center of gravity.

 

[RickB]

It’s not going to make a tangible difference.

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's what I would think and giving you any illusion of a safer setup is just plain dangerous. If you ask me.

I had this rig, with also a good amount of tongue weight, but I never dreamed it would increase my stability.

 

[4570Man]

It’s not going to make a tangible difference.

It’s probably got a hitch weight of 1,000 pounds or more. We all know loaded tires or wheel weights help stability. How would another 1000 pounds sitting even lower not help? But 30 percent grade isn’t even very steep.

 

[RickB]

It’s not going to make a tangible difference.

It’s probably got a hitch weight of 1,000 pounds or more. But 30 percent grade isn’t even very steep.

It’s not going to affect his pucker factor enough to make any difference. If he is uncomfortable on a slope grabbing the batwing isn’t going to change that.

 

[4570Man]

He didn’t ask if it would make him feel better. The question was would it increase stability.