Cyclone Rake or DR Power for leaf removal?

[iptman]

Bumping this old thread of mine. I had my used Cyclone Rake for 2 leaf seasons but the 200 gallon bag was way too small for my lawn. I ended up selling it for about what I had in to it at the end of last fall. Now I need a replacement tow behind leaf vacuum. In researching I found the DR products leaf vac has been updated so I'm posing the same questions again. Doing the math the Pro model DR with the 8hp RATO engine and 315 gallon bag would be the same price as the Cyclone Rake Commercial Pro with the 6.5 HP B&S Vangaurd with a 415 gallon bag (about $1940 each, including shipping on the Cyclone Rake and tax on the DR picked up locally). Does anyone on here have experience with the new DR unit or the RATO engines? I've heard the RATOs are Chinese knock offs of the Honda GX series engines but don't know if there's truth to that.

I did have me Cyclone Rake hooked up to my Craftsman 42" lawn mower but have since bought a Scag zero turn. The DR uses a hitch pin and the Cyclone Rake uses a bracket and 2 pins to essentially extend the frame of their unit behind the tractor. Would one or the other of these setups work better on the zero turn? I haven't decided whether I'll continue using the Craftsman for leaf duties or start using the Scag. The scag doesn't have a hitch so I'll need to do some fabbing either way if I choose to use it.

Here's a links to both products. All opinions welcome.

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Tow-Behind Leaf and Lawn Vacuum: PRO 13.28 ft lbs torque | DR Power Equipment

 

[Code54]

I looked at both about 1.5 months ago and ended up buying the 10" cyclone rake and have NO regrets. It holds a LOT of grass (or leaves) and I have yet to have it clog even in in 1' high grass with a 60" Kubota deck.
I decided against the DR because I was not a fan of the engine and find it more difficult to get parts for (at least locally) and figure Briggs will be around for a while where as I am not sure about Rato.

 

[oldballs]

I too considered both, but just bought the Z-10 model that has a 10 HP B & S engine and holds 44 bushel/ 415 gallons in the hopper. I like Briggs engines and have some that have faithfully run for past 40 years. Some folks make disparaging remarks about B & S engine and maybe they have made some clunkers, but mine have always been good workers.

The customer service (CR ) has been responsive to the few queries that I've had.

Last week we had a severe storm that knocked down a lot of large and small branches plus a zillion white pine cones. I ran the Kubota MMM over the small stuff and then attached the Z-10. It sucked up and shredded most of the debris. That made my day. So far I'm happy.

I don't know if your tractor could pull the Z-10 model....just wondering.

Mine will be stored outdoors, year 'round....tarp covered.

 

[iptman]

I am a little concerned the 17hp Craftsman will have a tough time with the larger bag full of leaves. I think it will do fine everywhere except up hill when full. We'll see. I might have to use the Scag.

 

[Code54]

I can see that - Not sure how much of a "hill" you have but we are pretty steep in spots here in WV and when I am about ½ full of grass I can feel my BX slip (spin) for a second now and then - I normally run in 4x4 Low and dump it when I feel the extra weight (only takes a minute or so and a ½ bag is still a LOT of grass clippings)
I would think 17hp on a light lawn tractor will be challenged with a full load of leaves on a hill and a full load of grass maybe tough for a smaller/lighter 2x4 machine.