Cyclone Rake Z-10 On Order

[CompactTractorFan]

Today we placed an order for a Cyclone Rake Z-10 with the mower deck adapter, 3-point hitch adapter, "blue diamond" impeller housing liner, Tuff-PRO mower deck hose, Duel-PRO wheels, 32' estate vacuum with Tuff-PRO hose, power unloader with Tuff-PRO hose, roof rack, wall mounting kit, and 3rd wheel jack stand.

Delivery will be in about a week.

 

[boomer1025]

kyle if you don't mine telling, what is the total cost.

 

[CHDinCT]

Wow! Congrat's. Are there any options you didn't get? I think you'll be very happy with your CR. Had mine since 2004 and still going strong.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

kyle if you don't mine telling, what is the total cost.

List price for the package is $3,017 + $189 shipping...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Wow! Congrat's. Are there any options you didn't get? I think you'll be very happy with your CR. Had mine since 2004 and still going strong.

Thanks. Aside from the power bagger and the outdoor cover which we did not need, we did not get the "power lifter" power dump. We thought about it, but with the "power unloader" blower, we figured it was not necessary.

Which model CR do you have?

 

[bigtiller]

Was there any reason why the Trac-Vac lost out?

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Was there any reason why the Trac-Vac lost out?

After comparing them, we felt the Cyclone Rake would be a better fit.

More options, lower base price, rigid frame, longer vacuum hose, bigger diameter hose, fold-up frame, and plenty of good reviews.

 

[CHDinCT]

Which model CR do you have?

Well, when I bought it in 2004 they only offered three sizes - small, medium and large - and I don't recall what they called them, but I bought the smallest one (think it's called the "classic" now). After getting the BX, I called CR to get the new boot and found out I could upgrade to the Commander model for $125. That got me a new, almost 50% bigger bad and the hardware to mount it (it's wider at the back than my old one). Funny thing is within a year or two of buying my CR, two of my closest neighbors also bought them.

Here's a couple pic's from last year when I used it with my old BX1860.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Well, when I bought it in 2004 they only offered three sizes - small, medium and large - and I don't recall what they called them, but I bought the smallest one (think it's called the "classic" now). After getting the BX, I called CR to get the new boot and found out I could upgrade to the Commander model for $125. That got me a new, almost 50% bigger bad and the hardware to mount it (it's wider at the back than my old one). Funny thing is within a year or two of buying my CR, two of my closest neighbors also bought them.

Here's a couple pic's from last year when I used it with my old BX1860.

Hmmm...so the models share the same frame?

Thanks for the pics. Can't wait till ours arrives!

One question, when you are collecting leaves with the CR, you have the mower deck engaged so you are essentially mowing the leaves first? Right?

 

[texas42]

One question, when you are collecting leaves with the CR, you have the mower deck engaged so you are essentially mowing the leaves first? Right?


Yes, you have the mower deck engaged just as you would if you were mowing.
Because I have sandy soil I run mine a little below recommended speed to keep from sucking up so much grit when it's dry. You will just need to experment to see what works best in your conditions.

 

[CHDinCT]

Hmmm...so the models share the same frame?

I don't think they're all the same frame size. I think the larger units have a larger frame. For the classic and commander at least, the frame is the same and when you order the commander you get some "wings" that bolt on to the back corners of the frame to accommodate the wider bag. The frame rails mount out on the wings to gain the extra width.

And, yes, like texas42 said, you want to mow and vac at the same time. The mower will shoot the leaves and grass toward the boot and the vac will pull it all into the bagger. Of course you'll get some mulching / shredding of the leaves from both the mower and the CR vac blades. I use gator mulchers on my old Wheel Horse and when the leaves are dry, they're almost powder by the time they get to the bag.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Yes, you have the mower deck engaged just as you would if you were mowing.
Because I have sandy soil I run mine a little below recommended speed to keep from sucking up so much grit when it's dry. You will just need to experment to see what works best in your conditions.

And, yes, like texas42 said, you want to mow and vac at the same time. The mower will shoot the leaves and grass toward the boot and the vac will pull it all into the bagger. Of course you'll get some mulching / shredding of the leaves from both the mower and the CR vac blades. I use gator mulchers on my old Wheel Horse and when the leaves are dry, they're almost power by the time they get to the bag.

OK, that's what I figured. Thanks.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Good news!

The Cyclone Rake will arrive tomorrow morning.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Well........The CR is here. Wasn't a real fun experience. First of all, it has been raining all day. We get the call that the motor freight driver (BTW, who also has a tractor, an old International) is almost here. We go down to the road to meet him and he gets here, and of course he can't back up the driveway (UPS truck is about the biggest that can fit, and this was a tractor trailer). So, I bring the BX down to load up some of the boxes. Turn off the tractor and put on the 4-ways since I'm down at the road. Get everything unloaded and put in the FEL and on to the carryall. Go to start up the tractor and the battery is dead...The 4-ways were on for all of 5 minutes. :confused3: So...my dad had to drive our SUV down the drive way and on to wet grass so he could get close enough to use our "short" jumper cables (our long ones were in the trunk of my dad's car that is in the shop for repairs, but that is a different story). :confused2: I pull the battery and we give it a jump and it starts right up. Start to back up the driveway and all the boxes fall off the carryall! So, we had to get a hand cart and move the biggest ones to the garage manually...

So, all 11 boxes are now sitting in the garage. Looked over the manual and DVD, so that is a start.

 

[CHDinCT]

Hang in there. The sun will come out tomorrow (hey, I feel a song coming on!). You'll be sucking up leaves by the weekend.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Hang in there. The sun will come out tomorrow (hey, I feel a song coming on!). You'll be sucking up leaves by the weekend.

Hopefully!

 

[kday64]

CTF and CHD,

I bought the XL and series. It appears that the MDA (boot) is significantly deeper then the actual mowing deck. I think I am going to make an engineering modification to the MDA to allow for me to have the boot flush with the bottom of the mowing deck. I will take a picture in a little bit once I get out to my Truck.

For now I need to get back to CT before the snow storm hits... *akward thought based on it being October...

I will post pictures soon! I am so going to love my cyclone rake and so is my neighbor hood.

~Kevin

 

[kday64]

Any thought?

 

[CHDinCT]

I don't have a close up pic of mine mounted and I won't be able to take one until tomorrow - snowing like crazy here right now. Kevin, let me know if you still need one. My boot looks just like CTF except it's green. I have the 54" deck.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

CTF and CHD,

I bought the XL and series. It appears that the MDA (boot) is significantly deeper then the actual mowing deck. I think I am going to make an engineering modification to the MDA to allow for me to have the boot flush with the bottom of the mowing deck. I will take a picture in a little bit once I get out to my Truck.

For now I need to get back to CT before the snow storm hits... *akward thought based on it being October...

I will post pictures soon! I am so going to love my cyclone rake and so is my neighbor hood.

~Kevin

Sorry, I can't help you just yet, maybe in a while. I'm still unpacking the boxes.