Batwing mower

[Gomer pyle]

I have a three point 8' bushhog that covers my tracks(I plan to keep it) but I'm ready to upgrade to a batwing. I think I want a 15'. My finances decided it will be used, lol. I have 20 acres at home, 300 next county over(can't clip all of it) and hope to pick up 75-100 in the next year or two. Are there any certain brands to run from or to? Is there a big blade tip speed difference between brands?

 

[5030]

Have both a Landpride 8 foot flat back shredder and a 15 foot foldable batwing. Both are well built and blade tip speed seems quite adequate.

 

[leonz]

I have a three point 8' bushhog that covers my tracks(I plan to keep it) but I'm ready to upgrade to a batwing. I think I want a 15'. My finances decided it will be used, lol. I have 20 acres at home, 300 next county over(can't clip all of it) and hope to pick up 75-100 in the next year or two. Are there any certain brands to run from or to? Is there a big blade tip speed difference between brands?

If you have that much acreage and plan to buy more a towed 15 foot Hiniker flail shredder that
will let you tow the flail mower within the traffic lane with its tow hitch would
be better suited for this.

 

[Gomer pyle]

I have a good relationship with the local Kubota dealer but I seldom see used landpride batwings. I'll continue to look.

 

[Gomer pyle]

I have never used a flail shredder but what videos I've watched, I believe all the rocks on my place would be a no go?

 

[K5lwq]

I really like my flail but I just sharpened the hammer blades for the first time last weekend. That took a while and only 26 flails. Can not imagine doing a 15’ one.

I have quite a few rocks on my place as well but still has done pretty good with three seasons without sharpening. Next time I am just going to replace them.

 

[Gomer pyle]

What is the benefits of a flail over a bushhog?

 

[K5lwq]

A nicer cut for the most part. It also mulches the clippings a little better. I would want the batwing bushhog for a larger field myself.

 

[oldnslo]

What is the benefits of a flail over a bushhog?

Flail less chance of throwing objects any distance and cuts the clippings finer. Flail has far more moving parts with all the chains and hammers or knives.

 

[jaxs]

IMO you get what you pay for in new mowers so keep that in mind when shopping for used. Used mowers are even more challenging to analyze than used tractors so buying one you know the past history of can really help prevent buying a pig in a poke. Since you are here asking,it's safe to assume you aren't capable of judging overall condition to compare used mowers. With those considerations coupled with the fact you will be mowing for hire (if that's what you mean by "picking up" more land) I suggest you talk to the dealer who sold you your tractor. That's a nice tractor that will look best to clients with a Deere mower behind it. After spending that much the dealer should make their mechanic available to look at a mower. If no joy with dealer,$200 spent to have a trusted mechanic go over a mower is well spent. Right of way mowers can wear inner mechanicals out before paint fades.

 

[leonz]

If you are cropping this land and have that many glacial rocks from frost heaving you should rent
or buy a rock picker to dig them out and rent out the rock picker for extra income.

 

[Gomer pyle]

My intention is to buy more land. All bushhogging is for myself or my dad. I am capable of working on/rebuilding, as I have multiple times. Although I really don't want to start out with reattaching a deck first thing, been there done that. I know bladetip makes a huge difference in cut quality. I do plan to stay away from Titan, etc.. but each brand has good/bad models. Also, I know JD, Landpride, Bushhog, Schulte are all good brands but what about Rhino, Alamo, and so forth. Mechanical soundness about build quality are different.

 

[Gomer pyle]

I do not intend to crop any of it. Pasture clipping and my dad owns a rough hillside farm

 

[K5lwq]

My brother only buys Rhino mowers and swears by them. I have always used BushHog brand. There are plenty of good brands out there but at some point it is personal preference based on what your experience has been or what is commonly seen in your market. I would not be afraid of any of those brands.

 

[diesel85]

My brother only buys Rhino mowers and swears by them. I have always used BushHog brand. There are plenty of good brands out there but at some point it is personal preference based on what your experience has been or what is commonly seen in your market. I would not be afraid of any of those brands.

I tend to go by what I've had better/easier luck repairing.

 

[jaxs]

I am capable of working on/rebuilding, as I have multiple times. Although I really don't want to start out with reattaching a deck first thing, been there done that.

i would never guessed it simply based on questions you asked. i was born on a farm almost 80 years ago and been involved since. The ONLY people I know that can say they have rebuilt multiple rotary mowers are mechanics working in shops for corporate operations. Outside of replacing u-joints,blades,stump jumpers and seals I think I've overhauled 2 mowers in my entire life and that's par for neighbors. We primarily have used FMC and Service which I cand tell from feeling gear lash while turning by hand if gears are worn or loose. I can't say the same for others which I have less experience. With your extensive experience rebuilding mowers I think you only need to know what a mower sells for new to judge remaining life and value of used units. I'd like having you with me if I were looking at used mowers.

 

[Gomer pyle]

i would never guessed it simply based on questions you asked. i was born on a farm almost 80 years ago and been involved since. The ONLY people I know that can say they have rebuilt multiple rotary mowers are mechanics working in shops for corporate operations. Outside of replacing u-joints,blades,stump jumpers and seals I think I've overhauled 2 mowers in my entire life and that's par for neighbors. We primarily have used FMC and Service which I cand tell from feeling gear lash while turning by hand if gears are worn or loose. I can't say the same for others which I have less experience. With your extensive experience rebuilding mowers I think you only need to know what a mower sells for new to judge remaining life and value of used units. I'd like having you with me if I were looking at used mowers.

I've only been around a few brands. I try not to tie myself to only my knowledge. Older hands with more experience have saved me in the past. Parts availability is a huge problem with some brands. A notorious problem on a certain brand that is covered up or currently correct is not something I can know about.
My post was intended to start conversation about positive experiences with XYZ brand or notorious problems with ABC brand

 

[jaxs]

I don't have extensive experience other the two mentioned earlier. Both met my expectations other than FMC parts becoming hard to find. About all I can add that might help you is weigh your sources carefully before hanging you hat and wallet on their reviews and recommendations. For instance, I don't put a lot of stock in reviews by people who sing praises for Harbor Freight.

 

[workinonit]

My cousin has a road maintenance mowing service that does highway grass cutting for the state. He has literally tried all the brands and he says the JD 15 foot cutters hold up the best of any of them. All of them wear out after a while. He has a graveyard of them at his equipment shed.

 

[McCaskey]

The downside of my batwing mower is the turning radius of the tractor. A spinning PTO with universal joints can't be turned in less than a 100' radius without blowing up the universal joints on the driveshaft or tractor PTO bearings.