Converting a batwing to a single fold

[minner]

I have been toying with the idea of getting a Bush Hog 2615 and basically converting it to a 2610. I have a few maintenance jobs where a 15' batwing would be easy for my M7040 but there are other annual jobs that a 15 footer would be too much. Used 10 footers usually bring as much or more than a 15 footer so buying two is out of the question and settling for a 2610 would be selling myself short. Ideally I would fabricate a counter weight and be able to go back and forth as needed.

Before your mind starts to wander, no I can't mow with one wing up (residential areas) and no I don稚 want a rigid deck.

 

[RickB]

I've been around a couple of 2610's and they look like a good idea but aren't. They suck on slopes, the counterweight is always dragging the ground, and they just don't trail correctly. As far as dropping a wing from a 2615 more than once in its lifetime, count me out. It's not a job you are likely to want to do twice.

 

[minner]

I've been around a couple of 2610's and they look like a good idea but aren't. They suck on slopes, the counterweight is always dragging the ground, and they just don't trail correctly. As far as dropping a wing from a 2615 more than once in its lifetime, count me out. It's not a job you are likely to want to do twice.

Can you enlighten me on the counterweight dragging and why they don't trail right (assuming flat ground)?

 

[RickB]

The counterweight doesn't consistently offset the drag produced by the wheels and skids of the wing. It's just not the same as having a wing of equal weight, size and with the same number of wheels on either side of the machine. If a 15 foot machine is "too much for some jobs" a 2610 wannabe won't be significantly more manuverable than a 2615, but it will cut less.

 

[Kenneth S]

You probably could just unhook the driveshaft from the front gearbox on the one side, then fold the one wing up, and lock it into place (wouldn't work good on slopes either, but would be kind of ok on flat ground). Plus no ground dragging counter weight, when you need 15' fold it back down, hook the driveshaft back up, and go.