Cyclone rake

[Kubota Rich]

The bigger the hose and HP, the less chance you have of clogging. If you get into taller clippings (green) or wet leaves, it will pick them up in big clumps. When these clumps go thru the impeller, the engine will slow some, thus lower suction. If you are driving too fast in these conditions, it can plug. I have only plugged mine once and only at the boot. If you want to go real fast, then go bigger. I average 5-6 MPH with it, slowing in real thick stuff and faster in real light stuff. Hope this helps.

 

[yankeerider]

I bought the big DR machine last fall when my ancient Giant Vac finally bit the dust and i got tired of repairing it. i strongly considered the Cyclone, but didn't like the rigid mount/swivel casters arrangement, and too many people reported issues with the cyclone rake bag. My 8 hp Giant Vac used to have trouble keeping up with all the leaves from my 60" deck, and every session involved at least one or two episodes of clearing a clogged hose, sometimes just because the leaf bin filled and airflow stopped. Having only one season with the DR I cannot attest to its long term reliability, but it never clogged on me last season, making my cleanup much more productive. My 59 year old shoulder was certainly grateful for the electric start too. I did have to order the extension hose because the vac sits well behind my mower discharge. I am certainly pleased with its performance.

 

[Code54]

Thank you all.
I bit the bullet today and ordered the Z10 rake, duel wheels, liner, and the 17' power sucker up hose thing.... Think this is really going to do the trick. I was planning on just blowing the leaves but after looking into this a bit more and taking with everyone, reading reviews, etc I really think this is the way to go. Heck between the new Stihl blower I bought and this thing I am almost looking forward to leaf season!

 

[oldballs]

Ditto here Code54. Ordered mine yesterday....Z-10 with the trimmings. As long as the Global Gravity stays the same, those leaves ought to be comin' down pretty soon. Gonna hook it up to the B2620.

Thanks, TBN'er for helping with the discussion.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Code54]

Watch your Email Mike, I got my FedEx tracking numbers already - I was impressed with the speed of their shipping!

 

[Oldironken]

I've had the commander for 9 seasons and it is a life saver. I have been using it behind a 42" Husqvarna, i bought a BX 2370 in the spring and will be buying the parts i need to hook it up in the next week or so. I'll bet it saves me 80 hours every year. I have a 1-acre lot that is surrounded by a 6' privacy fence, there are lots of trees in my area so anything that falls in my yard stays there. I use the leaves as the next years compost for the garden.

 

[Code54]

I've had the commander for 9 seasons and it is a life saver. I have been using it behind a 42" Husqvarna, i bought a BX 2370 in the spring and will be buying the parts i need to hook it up in the next week or so. I'll bet it saves me 80 hours every year. I have a 1-acre lot that is surrounded by a 6' privacy fence, there are lots of trees in my area so anything that falls in my yard stays there. I use the leaves as the next years compost for the garden.

That is what I am hoping to do, save time!
We have about 3 acres we mow that are surrounded by 100's of acres of trees so the leaves just keep coming all season long!