Batwing novice questions

[rossco]

I believe a 12-15' batwing is in my future (most likely 15' due to more used availability). I have a couple of questions because I have never used one. First, while mowing, can one or both wings be raised to mow through a narrow area? Second, my tractor has two sets of remotes on the rear. Is this the correct amount I need to raise the tail wheels and wings? Third, does it need to have CV joints in the pto shaft or will ujoints suffice during sharp turns? Is there anything else I need to know about or look for when checking out a used batwing cutter? Thanks

 

[Bigfoot62]

First, while mowing, can one or both wings be raised to mow through a narrow area?

Second, my tractor has two sets of remotes on the rear. Is this the correct amount I need to raise the tail wheels and wings

Third, does it need to have CV joints in the pto shaft or will ujoints suffice during sharp turns?

Is there anything else I need to know about or look for when checking out a used batwing cutter? Thanks

Yes, depending on the mower and how you have it hooked up.

Yes, but you can only lift the wings together. You need 3 sets of remotes to raise the wings individually.

Some of the better quality drivelines will have a CV joint where the shaft connects to the PTO of the tractor. That's the only place where the turn angle is great enough to require the CV joint. (right above the pivot point)

Check the gearboxes, especially the splitter box. That 4-way gearbox can cost more to replace than you paid for the used mower.

FWIW, if you have wide gates, etc, and can use a "flat-top" (rigid deck) mower, they are much more durable than a bat-wing. A 10' or 12' mower will cost less, and still cut a lot of pasture, all without the problems and maintenance of a bat-wing.
Like this: RHINO | Multispindle | TW Series Heavy Duty

 

[leonz]

I believe a 12-15' batwing is in my future (most likely 15' due to more used availability). I have a couple of questions because I have never used one. First, while mowing, can one or both wings be raised to mow through a narrow area? Second, my tractor has two sets of remotes on the rear. Is this the correct amount I need to raise the tail wheels and wings? Third, does it need to have CV joints in the pto shaft or will ujoints suffice during sharp turns? Is there anything else I need to know about or look for when checking out a used batwing cutter? Thanks

On your first question; you can raise and lock them strictly depending on the
mowers plumbing; the Propeller Shaft(s) have to be disconnected in most all case cases only with the use of the center portion of the batwing mower OR when using the center portion with the left or right side for mowing disconnecting the opposite sides propeller shaft.

If you have two remotes it raises the mower and then the wings to lock them in place BUT


With the use of three remotes you have more flexibility IF and only if you have three sets on the mower to use. If not you need to plumb a priority valve to compensate for not having a third set of remotes if the used mower has three sets of remotes.


A Rzeppa universal joint would only allow you a limited amount of turning radius(and it would cost 80-90 times as much per joint versus a standard Univeral joint/cross )just like a standard U joint and this means you cannot stomp on the left or right brake and turn EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your limited by distance of the mower body from the rear tires AT ALL TIMES.




Personally I would never buy a used batwing mower for two main reasons:

1. metal fatigue at the wings hinges

2. I do not know the work history of the implement



_________________________________________________________________
Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:
Pronovost or not at all!!!:thumbsup::licking::drool:

 

[Ken45101]

Some batwings can be operated with one or both wings up in the air. Others might not. My Bush Hog (brand) 2015 is rated for 90 degree operation. I've actually used it in that mode for trimming back brush along a trail.

On mine, the CV joint was an additional cost option. I can turn the tractor to the point where I have to watch for the tractor tires hitting the mower.

You do want your control valve(s) for the wings to "float" so that the wings and move up and down with the terrain rather than being constrained by the valve. Some valves need to be converted.

Ken

 

[rossco]

I guess I need to check and see what type valves I have on my JD 5083E. It was ordered with the valves, so the manual should tell me. I keep going back and forth on which way to go with a shredder. I like the less maintenace aspect of a fixed deck (especially if buying used) and would probably go with a fixed deck 10' except for possibly needing to transport it from time to time on a trailer. I suppose a person could just keep the trailer more towards the shoulder and hope a law enforcement officer doesn't get behind you or remove the rear wheels and load it sideways on the trailer seperate from the tractor. I tend to overanalyze these things.

 

[leonz]

For the money I think you will be better off buying a used Loftness, Mathews, or Woods flail shredder thats been working cotton stubble in Texas or a Used Vrismo flail crop shredder, there are lot of good used flail shredders for sale in Used Tractors For Sale at TractorHouse.com: John Deere Tractors, used farm tractors and farm equipment, tractors for sale, Case IH, New Holland, Agco, Kubota

 

[piller]

I guess I need to check and see what type valves I have on my JD 5083E. It was ordered with the valves, so the manual should tell me. I keep going back and forth on which way to go with a shredder. I like the less maintenace aspect of a fixed deck (especially if buying used) and would probably go with a fixed deck 10' except for possibly needing to transport it from time to time on a trailer. I suppose a person could just keep the trailer more towards the shoulder and hope a law enforcement officer doesn't get behind you or remove the rear wheels and load it sideways on the trailer seperate from the tractor. I tend to overanalyze these things.

I bought a used pull type 10' fixed deck Woods rotary mower a few years ago. The mower had 15" wheels and pneumatic tires. The guy I bought it from hitched it up behind his truck and drove it 50 miles to my place. I was not expecting that!

 

[Soundguy]

bigfoot nailed it.

cv joints get you sharper turns.. some hav ethem.. some don't.

you really want at least 2 remotes so you can lift tail and wings, without having a seperate diverter ont he batwing itself. 3 if you want to do seperate wings.

I've seen some that you can lift a wing a bit and still mow.. most can't though.

I have a jd 1517 15' batwing. decent light / medium duty cutter.

lotsa parts.. lotsa maintenance.

I also have a flat deck 10' 3pt mower... less parts.. less maintenance. both cut good.

your call. if you can get a used one decent.. go for it.

keep in mind many 15' batwings are setup for 1000 rpm pto shafts.. though some are for 540 rpm. mine is 540.. etc..

soundguy