Good deal on Woods Batwing?

[TripleR]

Around here that would be a heck of a good deal. Our renters have two and they really like them. They are the most popular shredder in my area.

 

[Builder]

That's a bit low for the "5 hp per foot" rule of thumb. I'm running an M9540 (95 hp, 84 pto) and I wouldn't want to go a whole lot less. Really heavy pasture will bog it down.

The other issue is the weight of the tractor, especially if you are on hilly terrain. My 9540 is 5300# plus loaded rears and 700# of weights on the front. Even at that, the front is a little light on some turns.

Ken

I agree that really heavy pasture might be a problem, but normal cutting should be fine.
As far as weight goes, I'm not overly concerned. The 180 weighs in at only about 3,900lbs, which is 1,500lbs lighter than their BW-1800 heavy duty batwing.
My tractor probably weighs as much if not more than yours. I have the optional oversized tires filled with rimgaurd, a full cab and a LA-1153 front end loader.
I bet mine is all of 7,000 lbs.

I am also really looking hard for a 20-25K tractor in the 100-150 HP range. May have found a few possibilities.
This batwing is really more being bought for that tractor than my M-7040, but I wouldn't hesitate to hook the BW-180 up to the M-7040 for lighter pasture cuts.

 

[Soundguy]

That's a bit low for the "5 hp per foot" rule of thumb. I'm running an M9540 (95 hp, 84 pto) and I wouldn't want to go a whole lot less. Really heavy pasture will bog it down.

The other issue is the weight of the tractor, especially if you are on hilly terrain. My 9540 is 5300# plus loaded rears and 700# of weights on the front. Even at that, the front is a little light on some turns.

Ken

i agree. I run a 15' wing on my 95 hp tractor and do real good .. but in high gear and 3' tall stuff, you can tell.

I have puleld that mower with my 70pto hp ford 5000 and it's all she wants.. and no high gear !!!

clipping black tops in low gear will likely be ok though..

soundguy

 

[Builder]

Not to be difficult, but it makes you wonder why Woods would rate the mower to run on as little as 45 PTO HP?

If I have 62 PTO HP , you'd think that would be more than enough. I realize I'd have to cut in low range. I do now even with my 8' MX-8

see here: Woods Equipment Company - Woods BW180 (15', 3-section) Batwing

 

[Soundguy]

it's your tractor, you do what you want to it.. er.. with it.

our county maintenance won't run a 15' wing, even a LD one on anything less than a NH 5610s ( 70pto hp ).. and usually it's on a 66 or 7610s.
i have a buddy that runs one on a kubota m9450.. about same hp as a NH 7610s.

If you want an opinion from a guy that does a whole lot of mowing, look up Farmwithjunk ask him.. I'd trust his advice.

with about 4.x pto hp per foot, I have no doubt it will spin up, and cut in low range.

I think the entire machine might be a bit heavy, especially if a hd mower.

good luck and be safe whatever you do.

soundguy

 

[cowski]

i pull a 15 foot 540 bush hog with a 60 pto horsepower tractor.it is capable of cutting about half the acreage i cut.it is very underpowered for the rest of it.i have a 75 pto tractor it is capable of cutting three fourth of the acreage i cut.but it is real slow when you have to go in first gear wide open and hitting the clutch when overloaded.for the rest of it.i have a 150 pto it is never loaded.it depends on your grass how much power you have to have.i would think 60 is enough if you clip small weeds in thin pasture.if your grass is thick with chest high small brush get a 10 ft.

 

[Builder]

Cowski,

That's about what I figured, too. As I said previously, I was just asking if $8,000 was a good deal for the mower, not if my 70 HP tractor would run it under all conditions. A bigger (120HP) tractor is in my future and this mower is more for that tractor.

 

[cowski]

is it a 4 box woods or a three box woods ?540 or 1000?

 

[Builder]

(1) 160 HP divider and (3) 120HP boxes
540 RPM

 

[cowski]

price is dependent on location around here you can buy a nice cutter for 6 or 7000 $.a 540 4 gearbox woods would be their higher priced cutter.i would rather have a bush hog ,john deere or rhino but would not pass a good deal on a woods or landpride.i would look around some more.in the middle of winter last year i saw a nice john deere 1517 auction for $4000.