My first Batwing

[Soundguy]

I run a rubber strap across the 3 point ends to ensure hoses stay off the driveshaft..

Great minds must think alike. I stretch a black rubber bunji between my 3pt links, and have them lifted al the way up. As you said.. it makes a great catch/cradle for the hyd hoses from the rear remotes.

Soundguy

 

[meadowlarkponds]

Here's a couple of views of the "beast". I wish I had a "before" shot to also show. It's painted with a couple of coats of leftover Rustoleum so the color isn't stylish but the coverage/rust protection is good.

It cuts really nice but is very noisy, probably a characteristic of such an old and well used machine. When I get more familiar with it, I'll wear hearing protection. I was surprised at how easy it is to operate, just as some of you mentioned...but I haven't gotten into really heavy stuff yet.

 

[Glowplug]

That thing looks to be in great shape! I think you may have gotten a bargain! Do you know if it's a FR-15? That seems to be their most popular 15-foot batwing. If it is, you're talking about a $13,000 mower new! Now all you need to do is put some Rhino orange on it and get some replacement decals. I am green with envy.

 

[meadowlarkponds]

Chuck,

Its so old I haven't been able to find the model number.....where are they usually located on the Rhino? Also, any idea on where I could find that paint and those decals?

 

[Grrrr]

Great minds must think alike. I stretch a black rubber bunji between my 3pt links, and have them lifted al the way up. As you said.. it makes a great catch/cradle for the hyd hoses from the rear remotes.

Soundguy

We do a similar thing, except using a bar that goes through the lower links. It came with a JD Baler. Does a great job of keeping stuff of the drawbar and shaft.

We also have some heavy duty velcro wraps to bundle pipes and cables together as the go over the bar.

 

[Glowplug]

Chuck,

Its so old I haven't been able to find the model number.....where are they usually located on the Rhino? Also, any idea on where I could find that paint and those decals?

I really don't know. I don't own a Rhino batwing; I just wish I did. I will try to go by the local dealer here soon and check it out. I do have a Rhino Turbo 120 pull-type 10' rotary cutter. I'll go check it out and see if I may be able to give you some pointers on where to look for the model number. You would probably be able to get some paint at least from a dealer. Check out their website at Rhino : Home. They have e-mails for parts and such. Be sure to check out the photo of the FR-15 too. I actually downloaded and read the manual for the FR-15 when my mower aspirations were bigger than my budget. Keep us posted.

 

[meadowlarkponds]

I checked out that site and the FR-15...sure looks like my mower may have looked like that many years ago. Thanks.

 

[mlauk]

It looks like you have the FS-15 model based on the gearbox. If you look on the Rhino website under manuals, master parts book, you will find the FS-15 manual. The F series batwing is the heavy duty model and the S series batwing is the medium duty model. I think the F series model came out in this order FS, FL, FM then FR. I need to check mine, but I think the model plate is on the gear box divider.

 

[Glowplug]

It looks like you have the FS-15 model based on the gearbox. If you look on the Rhino website under manuals, master parts book, you will find the FS-15 manual. The F series batwing is the heavy duty model and the S series batwing is the medium duty model. I think the F series model came out in this order FS, FL, FM then FR. I need to check mine, but I think the model plate is on the gear box divider.

In other words, sounds like you've probably got one of the older but heavy duty cutters.

 

[3238dpw]

The best advice I ever got when I first got on a Batwing was DON'T EVER FORGET THAT THING IS BEHIND YOU! It is alot wider than your tractor and if you are used to running tractor width attachments, you don't want to forget about it when encountering obstacles. I have seen some pretty good disasters. Even complete total of a mower. If the grass isn't that high and you start zipping along, you could imagine the results.