I have rigged my new Ronin-M to my crane and am operating it like a remote head from the standard wireless controller.
In this mode, with the motors obvioulsy working harder, how long can I expect the battery to last?

Also is it ok to use the Ronin-M in this way? Does it damage the motors doing that much work?

If you have a good balance then it wont be hard for the motors, add some smoothtrack to it, so it doesnt accelerate fast and then brake instantly, that way it will be a fluid motion

Set deadband for controller to 0 if you want it to be really responsive, set smoothness to 20 or so till you feel it right, and speed to 70, it's an advice, do it the way you want, i set those settings for mine (and sorry, i said smoothtrack and i mean the smoothness setting on controller menu)