Does anybody have a batwing mower and a compact tractor?

[vanguard]

I've been thinking about a batwing finish mower for the last year or so. We have 14 acres that we mow every two weeks for our great danes and kids to play in. Also, low grass seems to keep the bugs away.

I've had a salesman or two tell me that my 45HP tractor (38 PTO HP) wouldn't be enough to get the job done. However, when you look at the batwing finish mowers the horsepower requirements actually aren't too bad.

25-60 HP @ 12.5': Product Details
35-80 HP @ 15': Product Details

My land is pretty flat, I'd guess the highest and lowest points across the 14 acres are no more than a 10-12' rise vertically.

So, is anybody out there actually pulling a batwing mower a tractor near 45hp?

 

[4570Man]

The city mowed some with a 15 foot batwing finish mower. They pull it with a big New Holland that is about 100 HP. My L3240 ( 34 gross HP ) is a good match for my 72 inch mower.

 

[Soundguy]

Keep in mind a finish mower is just that. Let the grass get a little hairy on week and figure 1.5x+ hp requirements...

 

[milligjg]

Don't they figure rotary mowers by 5 hp per foot of mower? Ex: 5 ft mower = 25 hp tractor?

 

[4570Man]

Don't they figure rotary mowers by 5 hp per foot of mower? Ex: 5 ft mower = 25 hp tractor?

Yes, but you can get by with less.

 

[vanguard]

Keep in mind a finish mower is just that. Let the grass get a little hairy on week and figure 1.5x+ hp requirements...

Yep but finish mowers seem to require less HP per foot of coverage than bush/brush hogs. I use a 7' finish mower now but I'd love to both slow down and do more. There are parts of my yard with ruts here and there.

 

[Soundguy]

and there is a difference in lift vs semi mount or pull.

 

[ShowroomShine]

I sell Woods equipment. Your 38 PTO horsepower is enough for the mowers you've listed, but you need to keep up with the grass. As one poster said let the grass get a little taller and you may need to take a 1/2 pass.

Also, the mowers you listed arent really Batwings, they are folding finish mowers. If you need something your tractor can pull that will cut nearly as well, look at the 12' Batwing rotary cutter from Woods.

Product Details

35hp minimum, and we sell them for right around $10K. In fact we have one in stock, pretty slick little unit. Woods Rotary Batwings have a deeper deck and higher blade tip speeds than most, so they offer a nearly finish mower quality cut but have the ability to cut rougher stuff. The unit above has a 1.5" cutting capacity.

 

[9973720wb19]

pay attention to weight though. i have a JD 4720 cab 66HP was fine but had to return an 84" woods brush deck because it picked the front wheels off the ground on level ground...yes i had all front case weights installed. went with a 72" all is fine. if you have hills that complicates matters

 

[vanguard]

I sell Woods equipment. Your 38 PTO horsepower is enough for the mowers you've listed, but you need to keep up with the grass. As one poster said let the grass get a little taller and you may need to take a 1/2 pass.

Also, the mowers you listed arent really Batwings, they are folding finish mowers. If you need something your tractor can pull that will cut nearly as well, look at the 12' Batwing rotary cutter from Woods.

Product Details

35hp minimum, and we sell them for right around $10K. In fact we have one in stock, pretty slick little unit. Woods Rotary Batwings have a deeper deck and higher blade tip speeds than most, so they offer a nearly finish mower quality cut but have the ability to cut rougher stuff. The unit above has a 1.5" cutting capacity.

Why do you suggest that mower over the two that I picked out? I figured "mine" would leave a better cut and may be a better choice since I'm not clearing fields.

We don't tend to let it grow for more than a week or two because tall grass brings more bugs around here. Also, while this might sound crazy I actually like mowing.