Nice deal there!!! I've been casually looking for anything similar to your new toy. You mentioned that old one working with a winch, up/down, etc. The one I have, only is operable when the blade is lowered. The slide action arm (pitman?) won't move back and forth otherwise. I can lift and lower the lift arms to get some angle. Does yours still slide back and forth when angled a lot at the joint?

PS.. possibly when you get real good with the new mower, you'll be able to catch and fillet the fish before they even leave the water!