Mow, vacuum leaves, and load - ideal machine?

[Bedlam]

i visited the local LOWES, and I see they have a vac thats a canvas trailer, with vac engine mounted on the hitch, (standard arrangement). all fro $799.
I was wondering if anyone had one, or any thoughts as to its workability.
i like the looks of the Cyclone Rake, especially the maneuverability of it, but the price is up there.
Oh Ya., While browsing Lowes, I had two people ask if I need help
that was impressive.
Thanks all
Al

 

[exNCite]

i visited the local LOWES, and I see they have a vac thats a canvas trailer, with vac engine mounted on the hitch, (standard arrangement). all fro $799.
I was wondering if anyone had one, or any thoughts as to its workability.
i like the looks of the Cyclone Rake, especially the maneuverability of it, but the price is up there.
Oh Ya., While browsing Lowes, I had two people ask if I need help
that was impressive.
Thanks all
Al

I think this is the one you were looking at. Yes?

Agri-Fab

 

[Bedlam]

well It was similar. except the "trailer' wasn't really a trailer. it was a heavy canvas matériel and metal frame.and the motor sat low to the frame .(tongue). They were quite a bit alike. I just assumed that all Lowe's would have the same stock, but its possible I guess that different areas have different makes. Just a thought. I would think that if one item was made in , say Boston area , it might make sense to market it in the eastern part of us as opposed to the cross country shipping.
But yes its much like this one.
i also notice a ride on tractor mower, at a hardware, that has its own small motor vac thing attached to the discharge shoot, and run by a belt to the deck. Looks like a great idea to me..
Al

 

[davesisk]

Allan: Which hardware store and what machine is that?

Dave

 

[exNCite]

well It was similar. except the "trailer' wasn't really a trailer. it was a heavy canvas matériel and metal frame.and the motor sat low to the frame .(tongue). They were quite a bit alike. I just assumed that all Lowe's would have the same stock, but its possible I guess that different areas have different makes. Just a thought. I would think that if one item was made in , say Boston area , it might make sense to market it in the eastern part of us as opposed to the cross country shipping.
But yes its much like this one.
i also notice a ride on tractor mower, at a hardware, that has its own small motor vac thing attached to the discharge shoot, and run by a belt to the deck. Looks like a great idea to me..
Al

I have been looking at the one that Simplicity markets for the Legacy series. This is the way their's works. You add a double spindle to the blade closest to the discharge chute. A belt is then attached to this which drives a blower. Sort of like turbo-charging the discharge that the deck makes. I've heard it works OK but for some reason wonder if it's as good as a separate motor driven unit. Probably less maintenance.

 

[Bedlam]

ex I am guessing that the separate motor would maybe give it more mulching , and take less space. But It would depend on the task.The trailer one would be a bit bulky in tight areas, but an aux pickup hose could solve some of those troubles.
The best solution for me would to have my kid think it was a video game and get out here and rake them..

 

[ChuckinNH]

I've used the Simplicity system for nearly 20 years on a couple of different tractors. It's worked fine for me and will pick up anything but very wet, and packed leaves. I love the ease of attachment! You do get some "blowout" at the front of the deck if you have the deck raised much, but not as much as the John Deere system which I also used briefly. JD now has a couple of add on plates to reduce that blowout when picking up leaves, but recommends that you not use them in heavy grass. Other systems work as well of course, and some perhaps better, but the Simplicity is pretty hard to beat overall. I've used both the pull behind cart, and the three bag system that I currently have on my old Legacy, and both work well. Hope this helps....
Chuckin_NH

 

[exNCite]

I've used the Simplicity system for nearly 20 years on a couple of different tractors. It's worked fine for me and will pick up anything but very wet, and packed leaves. I love the ease of attachment! You do get some "blowout" at the front of the deck if you have the deck raised much, but not as much as the John Deere system which I also used briefly. JD now has a couple of add on plates to reduce that blowout when picking up leaves, but recommends that you not use them in heavy grass. Other systems work as well of course, and some perhaps better, but the Simplicity is pretty hard to beat overall. I've used both the pull behind cart, and the three bag system that I currently have on my old Legacy, and both work well. Hope this helps....
Chuckin_NH

Thanks Chuck. Very glad to hear this. Time to go shopping now.

 

[davesisk]

Hey guys:

So, there are two power-bagger systems available that are powered by the mower rather than a seperate engine, right? The John Deere power-bagger and the Simplicity power-bagger. Do either of those allow you to attach a suction hose that let's you reach spots where you can't drive the mower?

I scored an old Snapper Hi-Vac over the weekend (very old...has a Tecumseh 8hp engine)...it isn't running, the guy just gave it to me free since we couldn't get it started. It needs some work (welding some patches onto the mower deck, getting the engine running, etc.). I'm pretty handy at everything except engine work, so we'll see...this might work out well (or not).

Dave

 

[ddonnell]

Dave,

You might want to look at a Walker. It's designed with a front mount mower, and integral rear hopper for grass and leaves. You can also get attachments including a small loader/scoop bucket.

 

[LBrown59]

Oh...I don't own the MF1220 anymore, I sold it recently. It was a really nice machine, but it's just too big for my needs. Something that's roughly garden tractor size would suit my needs much better, so I'll check out the JD 425/455's. Any other brands that are similar that I should look at?

Dave

* C.C.

 

[davesisk]

LBrown...I don't follow ya?

Dave

 

[LBrown59]

LBrown...I don't follow ya?

Dave

Cub Cadet

When I was looking for a Garden Tractor
I checked out
New Holland
Simplicity
Toro
Cub Cadet.
I bought a new Cub Cadet as it was for me the best bang for the buck of the 4 .
A used John Deere 445 or 455 would have set me back hundreds more than the price of the new Cub.

 

[LBrown59]

If I understand correctly, you want a very manuverable tractor to get into tight areas with a 38"-42" mowing deck AND it has to be able to operate a loader? Hmmmmm..... I'm thinking the Deere 400 series tractor is gonna be too big for the mowing job, but an excellent machine for the loader. Someplace you are gonna have to compromise one of the functions. I'm thinking since the mowing is the primary job, a smaller Deere, or a 2500 series Cub Cadet could be had with a smaller mower deck, and bagging system and adding an aftermarket
"Johnny Bucket" to the front. The Johnny Bucket is not a fulll function loader but a scoop bucket that will dig and carry loose materials, but has no high lift capability. That kind of set up would focus on mowing and bagging and compromise the loader part of your plan.

The CC will probably cost less than the JD.
This is the Johnny item I'd like to have for my CC GL2554 since I have a loader on my BX23 http://www.johnnyproducts.com/images/Johnny-Plow-Jr/Movies/plow.gif

 

[LBrown59]

If I understand correctly, you want a very manuverable tractor to get into tight areas with a 38"-42" mowing deck AND it has to be able to operate a loader? Hmmmmm..... I'm thinking the Deere 400 series tractor is gonna be too big for the mowing job, but an excellent machine for the loader. Someplace you are gonna have to compromise one of the functions. I'm thinking since the mowing is the primary job, a smaller Deere, or a 2500 series Cub Cadet could be had with a smaller mower deck, and bagging system and adding an aftermarket "Johnny Bucket" to the front. The Johnny Bucket is not a fulll function loader but a scoop bucket that will dig and carry loose materials, but has no high lift capability. That kind of set up would focus on mowing and bagging and compromise the loader part of your plan.

Another option
A bx1500 with a FEL and 48''MMM
or the BX 1500 & FEL and A Cub Cadet with a smaller mower deck.
AS far as Bagging check into : http://www.mytractorforum.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=178277

 

[LBrown59]

Oh...I don't own the MF1220 anymore, I sold it recently. It was a really nice machine, but it's just too big for my needs. Something that's roughly garden tractor size would suit my needs much better, so I'll check out the JD 425/455's. Any other brands that are similar that I should look at?

Dave

Cub Cadet 3000 series
I also liked the Simplicity, And looked at the Toro and New Holland.
Don't forget Kubota.

 

[davesisk]

Well, figured I'd update this thread. I accumulated 3 Snapper Hi-Vac rear-engine riders, all of which needed some repairs, etc. Looked like I could get 2 working mowers out of the 3 machines. I got hold of two of the bagger parts but was missing a couple pieces. After thinking it over, I decided this was probably just too much work and would require quite a bit of maintenance to keep them working well. So, I posted all three on Craigslist and someone picked them up from me for more than I paid for 'em. (Of course, I did put some work into them...had them all running, and had mowed with two of them).

OK, so...well positioned for a re-start. I spotted a very new looking Stanley (rebranded Murray) 17.5HP 42" Hydro with bagger on Craigslist for a good price, so I snagged that. The manual says it' s not designed for any ground-engaging attachments (fairly light-duty HST tranny I gather), but it cuts and bags quite well, comfortable to operate, runs well, and looks practically brand new...the owner kept it garaged. So, I'll probably just pick up a dump-cart rather than messing with adding any sort of loader capabilites...I was thinking one of the front scoops (like a Johnny Bucket type deal), but a simple dump-cart might be a better choice in terms of not putting the lawn tractor through more than it's capable of.

I'll probably still keep my eyes open for a garden tractor at a really good price or a something like one of the little Kanga mini-skid steer loaders. Or maybe I'll get a wild project hair and build something!

Dave

 

[qni51]

Cheaper dump for MC-519.

See

Question on 2305 MCS - Page 4 - TractorByNet.com

 

[beenthere]

Cheaper dump for MC-519.

See

Question on 2305 MCS - Page 4 - TractorByNet.com

Does this actuator work on the MC519? Interested, as it is cheaper than the hydraulic ram I use now. Have my doubts that it is strong enough to dump a load of wet, green grass and wet leaves.