Batwing rotary cutters

[bdog]

I am considering a batwing shredder. They are obviously more complex and have more moving parts than a conventional cutter so I wonder if they are more of a hassle to use and break more often? I currently have a 10' 3 point shredder and have had virtually no issues with it. I am considering a 15' batwing purely to speed up my mowing and make life easier. The area mowed will be about 20 acres of grass and crop stubble. No brush or anything like that. My concern is will the added 5' and faster mowing time outweigh the added maintenance / repairs of a batwing?

 

[Rustyiron]

Well you do have 3 gearboxes, a couple more dirveshafts and some extra cylinders, hoses and tires, wheels and bearings. But nothing is quite as satisfying as making 15' passes
Sounds like you're use is perfectly in line with the intended design of a batwing mower and I wouldn't worry a bit about this buying new. Used, your chances for expensive repairs does go up, but an intelligent inspection along with "sizing up" the seller's farm (fences, fields, buildings, etc.) and other equipment will give you an indication of how he cared for it.

 

[Hay Dude]

I am considering a batwing shredder. They are obviously more complex and have more moving parts than a conventional cutter so I wonder if they are more of a hassle to use and break more often? I currently have a 10' 3 point shredder and have had virtually no issues with it. I am considering a 15' batwing purely to speed up my mowing and make life easier. The area mowed will be about 20 acres of grass and crop stubble. No brush or anything like that. My concern is will the added 5' and faster mowing time outweigh the added maintenance / repairs of a batwing?

If you are talking new, I would think a new 15’ batwing being in the $20,000+ range is a big number to just speed up the time just to cut 20 acres versus a 10’ mower you already own and gives you no issues.
I run (2) JD 15’ batwings in a custom mowing and farming operation, and have considered trading a 15’ for a 20’, but its a big machine to travel over the road with. I don’t know if it’s worth the cost, either.
If you are buying a new piece and only mowing grass, keeping it shedded and maintained properly, it would take 10-15 years before it showed much wear.
I have 8 years on my older of the 2 and it has been used to cut heavy brush and trees up to 3-4” at the base. I have pushed it to the limits. All I have replaced is the main prop shaft. I melted a u joint and took out the shaft in seconds. Cost me about $800.

Yours would likely never break.

 

[BufordBoone]

I have a 12' batwing and find it doesn't need much more maintenance than my 10' offset mower. Attention must be paid, however, to turns. Can't turn as sharply with a pull-behind as with a semi-mount.

One recommendation, I had mine plumbed so that it required three remotes. One controls the up/down of the entire cutter. One controls the right wing and one controls the left wing. Makes cutting around water and/or culverts much easier.

 

[KWentling]

Maintenance wise there are quite a few grease points on them and you will have 3 slip clutches to take care of. I also run mine off of three remotes. Note that the wings need to have a float position on the valves.