Agri-fab mow-n-vac on a X500

[crazyal]

I picked up one of these new for about 2/3 of the regular price (the store had it marked at the wrong price and I had a 10% off coupon). With lots of leaves to deal with I had thought about the powerflo but with everything needed for something I was only going to use once or twice a year it just seamed like too much money to bother with. The Agri-Fab was kind of an impulse buy so I didn't do as much review as I normally would but figured it's mostly steel so I could always beef it up.

Does anyone else have one? I have read some of the reviews so I know the issues I need to pay attention to. The tilt function seams to be pointless so I'm thinking of replacing the tongue with something thicker and maybe the engine mounts as well to handle the vibrations. Just wondering if anyone else has one and what advice they might have as well as how well the adapter fits to the deck.

 

[Shaneard]

I have one just like it, while the tongue is cheap it works as does the tilt. Keep a hard rake near where you dump and use it to get the leaves out. I wouldn't repair or replace the tongue unless you have problems.

Ours came with 2 adapters for the deck, plastic and had to cut the hole to fit the deck, they work good but one got a hole rubbed in it and I repaired it with some metal.

The only problems I've had with mine I sucked a rock up the tube and bent the impeller and broke the plastic cover the tube attaches too. I also replaced the plastic boot the top hose goes on, once you get used to it you'll love it.

Don't try and get up wet leaves with it, you'll spend more time unclogging the hose than getting leaves up.

 

[ruffdog]

I have one. I made a strap that goes from the blower housing to the front left corner of the trailer to triangulate the wimpy twisting tongue. I did lose the tipping ability but I just use a rake to unload. One item that wears out is the chute flex cloth. With my mod, I have never had a issue. Be sure to keep checking the engine oil until it is broken in as they will go through oil...it is good now though. It has worked good for me.

 

[crazyal]

One of the things people complained about was the cloth piece at the end of the chute not lasting. I figured it was in part due to the tongue being kind of weak and the motor moving. But I figured hardware cloth would work with a little work. I figured making a way to hold a rake on the side for emptying it was a must. I haven't measured it but it seams kind fo narrow (and tall). Since my deck is 48" wide I thought it would be worth while to widen the axle and give it more support to where it attaches to the actual body (cracking metal where the axle bracket attaches to the body) seamed like another complaint. My yard is hilly and while I'll try to go up and down there could be some crossing sideways. I was also thinking of converting th hitch to a ball like a regular trailer so I could move it with my side by side when needed.

I did see where a guy put a tarp down inside it and had a rope tied to the front edge. To empty it he would just pull on the rope and the tarp would come out with most the leaves. But it really doesn't look too hard to empty. Others had said the plastic door on the back can flex so they made a way to support the middle of it. I was raining and dark last night so I really didn't look too closely. I just got tired of making multiple passes to blow leaves into the woods. I saw the hose and mover adapter in the back but didn't even look closely to see what else was in there. As I said it was kind of an impulse buy so I didn't do the usual looking into it before hand.

 

[Shaneard]

Oh yeah the back door. The first year or two the door stayed on fine, the past couple years I've had trouble with it falling down with half a load in it, I need to come up with something to keep it on until it gets full. I drilled new holes further forward for the 2 short door bungies, that helped for a little while.

 

[crazyal]

Mine just has four metal tabs that rotate to hold it in place at each corner. The most commonly used solution is to add a couple eye bolts and a ratchet strap across the middle.

 

[KennyG]

I looked at the Agri-Fab and others before I bought my Cyclone Rake and noticed the same concerns you have. The frame seemed light. I would be prepared to add bracing if it seems to be moving. The older ones I see seem to have rust issues, so I would suggest keeping an eye on and touching up as needed, especially if you store it outside. I went with the CR to avoid potential maintenance problems, but it sounds like you got a good enough deal to deal with that.

 

[ray66v]

My dad has had one for 10 years.

The first thing I would do is make a "sled" to put inside the hopper, consisting of a vertical section going up the front wall, and a bottom section covering the floor.

With a rope attached to the "sled", you can tie the other end to a tree, and by driving the towing unit forward you will pull the "sled" out, and thusly, unload it with little effort.

You can use wood, or steel for the "sled". Both have worked as my dad prototype'd the idea. It will also of course, require some diagonal bracing to strengthen it.

Regardless of how you use it, be sure to unload it before the unit gets full. The slope of the roof (which is backwards from the way it should have been made), will cause the collected debris to have to compress to slide out. And, if it is full, it has already compressed substantially, making it very difficult to unload.

Other than the unit is a chore to start due to the size of the engine, it works well.

 

[crazyal]

Years ago I looked at these. Mainly the Cyclone, the DR, and the Agrifab. With the Cyclone attaching to the tractor I didn't think it would work well with my yard. I figured sooner or later I would turn too sharp and smack it on a tree. I figured sooner or later I would end up at the DR store near me and find a deal on a refurbished or demo one. I also didn't like the idea of a fabric one. I have the tools and can repair steel but I'm worthless at sewing nor do I have a heavy duty sewing machine. I did like the compactness for storing though. While it's not wide the Mow-n-vac is a good 7 feet long and 5 feet tall. I have lots of land to store things but it would be nice to get it under something when not in use.

I was actually thinking of cutting a hole in the front of the hopper so i can see how full it is. I was thinking hardware cloth would do the job to keep the leaves from coming out but not get covered in dust. Before i do I want to run it once to see how dusty it is. I don't want to create a hole that throws dust at me and the engine. The engine on this one is a Briggs that sort of looks like a Honda clone. It's pretty small, I'm guessing 5hp so it shouldn't be hard to start.

 

[ruffdog]

The blower fan has some weight to it so it helps starting. Pull slow to get the "flywheel" spinning...I never had a problem it starting. I always use my unit when the grass is dry and I clean it out when done. Being that I store mine inside, there is zero rust on it. I can tell it is full when dust starts blowing forward from the chute. No problem, just go empty it.