Shopping for a Bat Wing

[SDT]

I'm shopping for my first bat wing mower.

I plan to use it with a Kubota M9960, 90 PTO HP FWA ROPS tractor (do not use cab tractors due to propensity to drive beneath tree limbs).

I mow only my own property, and the parcels are relatively flat to rolling with a couple of exceptions of steep ground that are relatively small. All parcels are clean so I will not hit rocks, stumps, etc., though I will likely scalp occasionally until I get used to the BW mower. I cut things in first with a 53 HP Kubota L6060 hydrostat tractor and 6' cutter so should never snag a tree at the perimeters.

I've done lots of mowing but only with fully mounted cutters, 5, 6, 7, and 10.5 foot. I've never used a bat wing or any type of trailer mower so am asking advise from those of you who do.

I've shopped Woods, Land Pride and Bush Hog, all of which are available at my local CNH/Kubota dealer.

The largest parcel that I will mow is less than 20 acres. I am looking at both 15' and 12' BW models.

I really like the compact size of the relatively new 12' BW cutters but the 15' cutters do not cost much more so seem to be a better deal, especially as I expect a 15' cutter would be easier to sell at some time in the future. I'm getting up there, so will not be doing this too much longer. Moreover, a 12' BW should follow the ground a bit better than a 15' as it is a combination of 3, 5' cutters as opposed to a combination of 3, 6' cutters.

I initially favored Woods, as I have 6, 7, and 10.5' (recently sold) Woods cutters and all have served me well. I like the Woods blade change system, but at my age will likely not change blades again.

After recently reading the latest Bush Hog literature, I now favor Bush Hog as their 12 and 15 foot BWs appear to be of more recent design, and have bushings and grease fittings on the tail wheel pivots, lacking on the similar Woods and Land Pride BWs. Prices of similar BH and Woods models at my dealer are similar with BH being a bit lower due to greater BH sales volume. LP prices are noticeably lower than Woods or BH as the dealer is a Kubota dealer and sells more LP mowers than either Woods or LP.

Final thought: Due to age, I will downsize in the foreseeable future. The first thing to go will likely be the 90 HP M9960 Kubota, as I can do without it if necessary. The last thing to go will be my 53 PTO HP L6060 Kubota hydro, as it is so very convenient and versatile for what I do. It is also easy on me. My 6060 could handle a 12' BW in my conditions but a 15' is too much.

Decisions, decisions.

Thoughts, anyone?

SDT

 

[BubbaJr]

I think you answered your question in your last paragraph.

 

[SDT]

I think you answered your question in your last paragraph.

Well said, BubbaJr, and I do not disagree.

That said, still looking for feedback from batwing users as I have never used a trailer mower.

SDT

 

[EddieWalker]

I've learned that every prediction that I've made for my future plans has been wrong. I expect this to continue. I would buy the 15 foot and spend less time mowing. If you actually downsize, it will be easy to sell, and then you can look at getting a brand new smaller one if that's what you really want. 9 times out of ten, most people wish they had gone bigger. I rarely see anybody commenting that they wish they had gotten the smaller mower, or the tractor with less HP.

 

[SDT]

I've learned that every prediction that I've made for my future plans has been wrong. I expect this to continue. I would buy the 15 foot and spend less time mowing. If you actually downsize, it will be easy to sell, and then you can look at getting a brand new smaller one if that's what you really want. 9 times out of ten, most people wish they had gone bigger. I rarely see anybody commenting that they wish they had gotten the smaller mower, or the tractor with less HP.

Well said, Eddie.

Thank you.

SDT

 

[Herkypilot]

I have a 12' BH but have only mowed with it for one season. So far so good. I use it behind an M7060, but I've read others have used it with the M6060. I would think an L6060 would have pretty close to the same capability minus the hp robbed by the HST. The minimum PTO requirement for BH 1812 is 50 hp. The 1812 is not a heavy duty cutter - capable of cutting brush up to 1 1/2" thick. It weighs 3,278 lbs with a 1,086 lb tongue wt. The decking is 10 gauge steel with the transfer gear box rated at 160 hp and the wings at 65 hp. Slip clutches are on each shaft.


HP

 

[Old Red]

So I have the Land Pride 3615 batwing I bought new 3 years ago. Make my last $126 payment in a few months. Anyway.....that isn't what you were asking. I am a huge fan of hydro drive train..... I have a Kubota M6800 (today's M7060 but with no emissions stuff) and it pulls my batwing fine. I mostly mow foodplots and not shoulder high Johnson grass. So I do not know what that is like. Anyway, I wish I had the largest hydro cab Kubota tractor and the 12 foot. I like the 15 foot just fine, but giving up 3 feet and getting in a hydro 60+hp tractor would be heaven. My 2 cents.

 

[KenBike]

I have a Progressive 18' finish mower. I cut about 6" high and it has three 72" decks that float on a carriage. It cuts as good as any normal large mower and is very heavy duty. The deck are rear discharge and do a nice job of making a even layer of clippings.
Pull it with M7060 at 4.5 mph. I can mow 10 acres of cut up pasture in about one hour.
Land price also makes a nice mower in smaller widths. Wish I would have picked up a 14' so it would fit between trees better.

 

[cold1313]

Rhino has a nice 15' bat wing if they are available near you.

 

[SDT]

Rhino has a nice 15' bat wing if they are available near you.

I've looked at Rhino on the internet and they have attractive pricing but there is no dealer near me.

My local dealer sells Land Price, Bush Hog and Woods.

SDT