Bagging grass with low cost bagger/tractor

[jeffmazz]

Does anyone have any feedback on the bagging systems used on the cheaper lawn tractors? I'm talking about the ones that don't have the blower attached to the bagging system. The type the cheaper JD's, Cubs, and Craftsman tractors use.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

Does anyone have any feedback on the bagging systems used on the cheaper lawn tractors? I'm talking about the ones that don't have the blower attached to the bagging system. The type the cheaper JD's, Cubs, and Craftsman tractors use.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Jeff

 

[dholly]

Jeff -

I once owned a JD 185 48" w/ the JD 2-bag collector system that hangs off the rear. The 3-blade deck generated sufficient airflow to push most clippings up and thru the hard chute into the bags so long as I was being reasonable with ground speed. Get going too fast and it would clog (particularly with wet grass) but, after a a little trial and error, you soon get a feel for it's capabilities. I used it mostly for picking up the windrows when cutting after the grass got higher than normal (as opposed to missing a mowing /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif). That worked better than mowing high grass with the bagger on; the bags seemed to hold a little more after the 'double' chopping. Well, probably doesn't hold any more, but the finer clippings extended time between trips to the dump pile. Same with Fall leave pickup, best to go over 'em once or twice without the bagger, then put it on for pickup.

My take is pretty simple, they do what they are designed for generally, but I think it is more a question of how big your jobs are. I quickly realized the limitations when I was spending more time going back and forth to the compost pile to empty the small bags than 'collecting'. My first 'solution' was to park a trailer nearby on the lawn and dump onto that, then take one big trip back to the compost pile 3 acres away. Saved time and gas, but that meant handling the clippings twice. Took me a few years to see the light and save the buck$ but I finally ponied up for a pull behind 8hp vac trailer. Worth every penny IMO and I never used the bagger setup after (though I kept it when I traded the mower, any locals PM me if interested).

Long story short... if you have a lot of leaves and maintain a larger lawn, I would skip the bagger and go right to a lawn vac if you can afford it. Of course there is an expense to operate and maintain the vac but, aside from that, the only downside I see is storage space.

 

[dholly]

Jeff -

I once owned a JD 185 48" w/ the JD 2-bag collector system that hangs off the rear. The 3-blade deck generated sufficient airflow to push most clippings up and thru the hard chute into the bags so long as I was being reasonable with ground speed. Get going too fast and it would clog (particularly with wet grass) but, after a a little trial and error, you soon get a feel for it's capabilities. I used it mostly for picking up the windrows when cutting after the grass got higher than normal (as opposed to missing a mowing /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif). That worked better than mowing high grass with the bagger on; the bags seemed to hold a little more after the 'double' chopping. Well, probably doesn't hold any more, but the finer clippings extended time between trips to the dump pile. Same with Fall leave pickup, best to go over 'em once or twice without the bagger, then put it on for pickup.

My take is pretty simple, they do what they are designed for generally, but I think it is more a question of how big your jobs are. I quickly realized the limitations when I was spending more time going back and forth to the compost pile to empty the small bags than 'collecting'. My first 'solution' was to park a trailer nearby on the lawn and dump onto that, then take one big trip back to the compost pile 3 acres away. Saved time and gas, but that meant handling the clippings twice. Took me a few years to see the light and save the buck$ but I finally ponied up for a pull behind 8hp vac trailer. Worth every penny IMO and I never used the bagger setup after (though I kept it when I traded the mower, any locals PM me if interested).

Long story short... if you have a lot of leaves and maintain a larger lawn, I would skip the bagger and go right to a lawn vac if you can afford it. Of course there is an expense to operate and maintain the vac but, aside from that, the only downside I see is storage space.

 

[jeffmazz]

Thanks for the feedback dholly. It's very much appreciated. I didn't consider a tow behind lawn vac. That is a good idea because I have 2 acres to maintain and sometimes the grass gets long and sometimes it's on the wet side when I need to cut it. A lawn vac might be the best solution. Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

Thanks for the feedback dholly. It's very much appreciated. I didn't consider a tow behind lawn vac. That is a good idea because I have 2 acres to maintain and sometimes the grass gets long and sometimes it's on the wet side when I need to cut it. A lawn vac might be the best solution. Thanks again.

Jeff

 

[awlchu]

jeffmazz,

Check out

http://www.cyclonerake.com/index.htm

It has received many high marks from end users.

Usual disclaimers,

Brian

 

[awlchu]

jeffmazz,

Check out

http://www.cyclonerake.com/index.htm

It has received many high marks from end users.

Usual disclaimers,

Brian

 

[jeffmazz]

Thanks Brian,

Thats the unit I think I'm going to go with.

Jeff

 

[jeffmazz]

Thanks Brian,

Thats the unit I think I'm going to go with.

Jeff

 

[dholly]

I looked at the Cyclone Rakes but decided against, in part, because I wanted hard sides and an articulating hitch. I also ended up with higher HP and a built-in chipper with an AgriFab vac for le$$. A few of the negatives Cyclone owners report are the bagger exhaust doesn't direct dust to the rear and, in spite of the supposedly superior tilt design, they still have to manually remove clippings at dump time (don't have personal experience to verify). No probs with the AgriFab unit in 3 years, knock on wood...

 

[dholly]

I looked at the Cyclone Rakes but decided against, in part, because I wanted hard sides and an articulating hitch. I also ended up with higher HP and a built-in chipper with an AgriFab vac for le$$. A few of the negatives Cyclone owners report are the bagger exhaust doesn't direct dust to the rear and, in spite of the supposedly superior tilt design, they still have to manually remove clippings at dump time (don't have personal experience to verify). No probs with the AgriFab unit in 3 years, knock on wood...

 

[Syncro]

<font color="blue">....... I also ended up with higher HP and a built-in chipper with an AgriFab vac for le$$... </font>

Roger that. I also bought the Agri-Fab for the same reasons and have been happy with it. It worked wonders on the lawn last fall with leaves, actually made it fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (well sorta) I now find myself using it during summer for picking up clippings and keeping the lawn looking much nicer. I usually mow a couple times without it, then about every third cutting I use the lawn vac, sure makes a difference.

Truth is tho, probably any of the top brands would do you well, I'd look at the different products and one will jump up at you as the 'one' Have fun!

 

[Syncro]

<font color="blue">....... I also ended up with higher HP and a built-in chipper with an AgriFab vac for le$$... </font>

Roger that. I also bought the Agri-Fab for the same reasons and have been happy with it. It worked wonders on the lawn last fall with leaves, actually made it fun /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif (well sorta) I now find myself using it during summer for picking up clippings and keeping the lawn looking much nicer. I usually mow a couple times without it, then about every third cutting I use the lawn vac, sure makes a difference.

Truth is tho, probably any of the top brands would do you well, I'd look at the different products and one will jump up at you as the 'one' Have fun!