Leaf Vacuum/ grass catcher

[Iron Brew]

So for the first time, I'm disappointed with a Kubota product. The grass catcher for my Z411 is junk. It plugs consistently, and after it's 2/3 full (three bag system) it definitely plugs. So... I'm considering building a gas powered stand alone trailer/vacuum. What I haven't found (and none regionally that I'm aware of) is whether the blowers used on leaf vacuums are just standard centrifugal blowers or if there is something special about them? Sadly, I don't have the option of a Harbor Freight nearby to go get cheap stuff and just build it. I need to confirm stuff cause building gets real expensive around here.

I'll take whatever information can be thrown my way please.

 

[Richard001]

You might try one of these. NO, I do not have any afflation with the company:

https://www.drpower.com/power-equipment/leaf-blowers-vacuums/tow-behind-leaf-vacs

 

[Iron Brew]

You might try one of these. NO, I do not have any afflation with the company:

https://www.drpower.com/power-equipment/leaf-blowers-vacuums/tow-behind-leaf-vacs

Wish I'd gone this route from the beginning.

 

[oldnslo]

Sweep all is another brand of tow behind vacuum that I have seen excellent reviews on. No personal experience with them though nor no idea on price tag.

 

[Carl_NH]

Look up Trac Vac in Indiana - the 580 model is a nice hard sided vac with angled body and dumps easily, Also there is Cyclone Rake in CT that make a soft sided vac like the DR Power unit.

For your zero turn does your deck have a powered fan? Also have you tried different blades- high lift or mulching blades? They make a difference in the velocity of the air and ability to vac things up.

 

[RjCorazza]

When I last researched vacuum / mulchers, I decided on the Cyclone Rake brand, with DR Power a close second. I never pulled the trigger though.

 

[TMGT]

I built one years ago, nothing special about the blower, but honestly I would just buy a cyclone rake. I can't speak to the newer DR vacs, but the older one I have experience with I was not impressed.

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a cyclone rake, and its amazing. However it takes abit of room to maneuver. If you have lots of tight spaces and trees, not the best option.

8hp elect start motor, large, heavy plastic impeller. It eats pinecones for breakfast.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I have (had) a TracVac and a Cyclone. I used both and liked the Cyclone better so sold TracVac. The Cyclone is easier to handle. I have lots of leaves to get up this year used a back pack blower for ones in hard to reach areas then Cyclone to pick those up as well.
I pile leaves in a ravine and plant pumpkin seeds in that area, they really grow well there.

 

[Fuddyduddy1952]

I have a cyclone rake, and its amazing. However it takes abit of room to maneuver. If you have lots of tight spaces and trees, not the best option.

8hp elect start motor, large, heavy plastic impeller. It eats pinecones for breakfast.

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Yes. As he said the Cyclone wants to "scoot" around when turning which I have to keep in mind going around sheds & buildings. The TracVac blew out mulched leaf bits which Cyclone doesn't do much.

 

[DJ54]

What seemed to be a problem with my Agri-Fab lawn vac was the volume and speed of material exiting the deck, mostly leaves not grass would cause it to plug. Simply too much material for the blower to handle. CFM of air and material was greater than the CFM blower had in vacuum. I slowed the deck speed and ground speed a bit, and it handled it very well. Small twigs from Walnut trees didn't help anything.

 

[nyone]

I also bagged until I mulched one year..and saw no difference in the spring once the grass started growing. I have lots of maple trees.

However I do blow my white pine needles back up under the tree.