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WCIL | Our first batwing was a 1508 on a gas IH 686 with 540 pto. We had quite a bit of center gearbox trouble and know we were in it a few times. We used it on several acres of corn stalks, grass road sides, levees and pastures. Obviously not overpowered by the tractor but worked it several hours a year. Drawbacks were the front drive shaft had a carrier bearing and regular u joints instead of cv joints. Took a few out, but have yet to lose a cv joint on the Bush Hogs we run now. Also it has 2 spring loaded levers for the wings to lock them up and when unfolded only lets wings up a little ways. You must unhook the wing shaft and put it on a "storage" shaft in order to fold wing up and run it (if you were mowing a narrow road for instance and needed it folded up). Have to flip levers to fold or unfold, so must leave tractor seat. We had ours 10 years, but it was not trouble free. Turned us towards BushHog and have had very little trouble. I would not recommend a 1508 but I have no experience with the newer ones.
Edit to add: 100hp is fine. Used 686 for 10 years in 2nd and 3rd gears then 4020, 4230, 4240, and now a 4440. No problems with any of them handling it from fescue to 6 ft high canarygrass. Mower usually slipped before tractor bogged. Your 4040 would be ideal I would think.
Edited by BFarm 1/29/2019 20:11
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JD 15 ft. mower specs + a PTO question.
