Bat Wing Mower - Mowing with a Wing Vertical

[Steve in IL]

Have a Rhino SR15 Flex-wing mower. (Batwing seems to be a Woods Equipment brand name) Operator's manual says to only run mower when wings are down. I have seen some local folks use their flex wing mowers to trim hedges, with one wing up (vertical, or near vertical). Any thoughts on that?

 

[Ray,IN]

It's impossible if the blades are belt-driven, and with U-joints I suspect said joints would soon self-destruct. Many things are possible, some have serious and expensive consequences.

 

[Destroked 450]

It’s a safety thing
I have a SR15 myself and have trimmed bushes along to road side with a wing up but it will throw stuff
The chain guards will hang down exposing the blades allowing objects to be thrown towards the tractor and operator, especially if your turning into the cut

It will not cause any damage to the drive line

 

[wh]

My woods batwing will mow/flex from 90 degrees vertical to 15 degrees past flat (or so by manual). Have a few road banks I mow that brings the wing to close to 90 degrees.

 

[m16ty]

I don’t do it because it’s dangerous, but most will work with the wing at 90 deg. Some wing mowers will have driveline binding though.