Batwing PTO angle max in a turn

[Dadnatron]

I just purchased my 1st Batwing. Woods BW 180X HD (15'). It works great, but as I was mowing yesterday, I realized I've never pulled something like this, in a turn, with the PTO moving. Even if I stop the PTO power, it coasts for about 30sec, which is understandable, given the size of the blades.

But I began wondering immediately, How tight of a turn can I make with the PTO engaged? I was pretty shallow yesterday, just out of concern, however, the reality is I was taking far too long and wide of turns, IMO, to be realistic. I made it work, but not in a realistic way.

I have about 80ac to mow, some in long rectangles, other is waterways, etc.

I was cutting everything in about 1/2 and doing the 2-rectangle routine, to minimize turn radius, but I found, that given the size of my pastures, I was traveling a long way on the ends without mowing. If I ran power on the ends, then I had to make a 90deg turn or a 270deg off hand circle to get back in line on the end then again on the straight.

My hope is that I can do a few circuits around the periphery, to give myself a turn radius, then just go back and forth with a slight teardrop turn on the ends. But, I don't know the radius of a turn with the PTO moving. At the most, I didn't pull more than about 40deg yesterday. My tire had a long way before hitting the tongue. There is a CV joint on the PTO shaft connection. I didn't 'notice' any binding in any way, but I didn't push it.

Any ideas on a 'real world' turn with engaged PTO would be? I'm using a 5100e to pull it which does a great job.

I can't find a spec sheet which discusses this issue. And I won't be around the machine until next weekend, to see if anything is in the manual. I forget about manuals.... sometimes.... mostly....

 

[jdtractor]

Hi I own a woods 15' batwing .. same model . I pull it with a J D 5115m ... check ur machine onrs manual... u will find information concerning turning etc.. if ur machine is a new purchase. It tells u what to measure and look for when turning. Have a good 1

 

[rustyshakelford]

If it's newer I'd hope it'll have a cv shaft. That should allow you to turn about as sharp as you can without the tires getting into the shredder. It'll never hurt by taking large sweeping turns but it's made to turn!

Enjoy it and where's the pics?

Brett

 

[Dadnatron]

Enjoy it and where's the pics?

Brett

Here is the only pic I have thus far. During hookup... found out... hammer straps and Woods upgraded rotary hitch are not compatible. Was disappointed, to say the least. Now I have another connector to deal with...

 

[rustyshakelford]

Here is the only pic I have thus far. During hookup... found out... hammer straps and Woods upgraded rotary hitch are not compatible. Was disappointed, to say the least. Now I have another connector to deal with...

View attachment 509688

You have a thing with draw bars! Most of my stuff doesn't go to plan so don't feel bad.

Brett

 

[Dadnatron]

I really think about just cutting off every hitch and making everything thing on the farm a pintle ring.

 

[joeu235]

When I was a teenager, I turned my grandfather's shredder too sharply and walked the spinning thing right up one of the rear tires. I was scared and boy was he pissed.

 

[TheMadOne]

A regular PTO shaft should allow for about 60 degree turns. You'll likely hear it before you get there. CV shafts will let you turn sharper than you probably want to.

 

[weathda]

From the Woods BW-180 Manual

"CV Driveline Turning Limits
NOTICE You must not exceed a turning angle of 80 degrees at the head of the Constant Velocity drive-line or damage will occur.
1. To check for potential excessive turn angle,disconnect the drive line from tractor.
2. Start engine and turn as far right or left as possible.
3. Shut engine off and try to connect CV driveline to tractor. If it cannot be connected, the turn angle is too severe.
4. Restart engine and straighten angle slightly, shutoff engine and try to connect CV driveline to tractor.
5. Repeat the process until the driveline can be connected. The point at which the driveline can be connected is the maximum turn that should be made.

 

[Texasmark]

I just purchased my 1st Batwing. Woods BW 180X HD (15'). It works great, but as I was mowing yesterday, I realized I've never pulled something like this, in a turn, with the PTO moving. Even if I stop the PTO power, it coasts for about 30sec, which is understandable, given the size of the blades.

But I began wondering immediately, How tight of a turn can I make with the PTO engaged? I was pretty shallow yesterday, just out of concern, however, the reality is I was taking far too long and wide of turns, IMO, to be realistic. I made it work, but not in a realistic way.

I have about 80ac to mow, some in long rectangles, other is waterways, etc.

I was cutting everything in about 1/2 and doing the 2-rectangle routine, to minimize turn radius, but I found, that given the size of my pastures, I was traveling a long way on the ends without mowing. If I ran power on the ends, then I had to make a 90deg turn or a 270deg off hand circle to get back in line on the end then again on the straight.

My hope is that I can do a few circuits around the periphery, to give myself a turn radius, then just go back and forth with a slight teardrop turn on the ends. But, I don't know the radius of a turn with the PTO moving. At the most, I didn't pull more than about 40deg yesterday. My tire had a long way before hitting the tongue. There is a CV joint on the PTO shaft connection. I didn't 'notice' any binding in any way, but I didn't push it.

Any ideas on a 'real world' turn with engaged PTO would be? I'm using a 5100e to pull it which does a great job.

I can't find a spec sheet which discusses this issue. And I won't be around the machine until next weekend, to see if anything is in the manual. I forget about manuals.... sometimes.... mostly....

Any PTO shaft will talk to you when not aligned perfectly. The amount depends on several things including wear of the U joints, bent shafts, sloppy sliding fits and all.

However, for the new machine the kicker is "equal distance". Google "constant velocity joint" and they explain what I mean. The closer you are to having matching lengths, other things being in working order, the tighter the turn without it talking to you.