Mow, vacuum leaves, and load - ideal machine?

[davesisk]

Hey guys:

I haven't posted here in a while, but figured this might be worth a question. I absolutely hate cleaning up wet leaves, don't mind mowing too bad if I can just get grass to actually grow consistently in my yard, and occasionally find a loader quite useful for moving material or light digging (I actually *like* doing landscaping projects at my house!)

I had told my wife that I'd really like to have a leaf vacuum for Christmas this year...but considering they are $500-600 and I would use it 1 month out of the year, I'm not sure that's money well-spent given the limited versatility. Plus, I'm not crazy about adding another gasoline engine to maintain (now I have a push mower, weed-trimmer, backpack blower, and generator).

So, I'm wondering if perhaps a simple riding mower with a good bagger system might do the trick. My property now is only 1/4 acre, but I'm lazy and want to get mowing done quickly, and in the fall that entire 1/4 acre is ankle deep in leaves. (I spent 6 hours this Sat cleaning up leaves, and I'm still not finished.)

Anyway, I'd imagine that even one of the small riding mowers with a decent bagging system would do almost as well on leaf cleanup as a $500-600 walk-behind lawn vac, and it would do well for mowing during the spring and summer too. That's probably $1000-1200, but then I'm adding versatility (mow and leaf cleanup) plus I can get rid of the pushmower (assuming the riding mower is small enough to get into some of the tight areas, which 38-40" would be...I really don't need a larger 50-60" mower). What do you think about this idea? Main question: Should I expect a small riding mower w/ bagger to pickup leaves as well as a 24" walk-behind lawn vac? I believe the answer is "yes", but worth asking.

Now, the other thought is that I've had two tractors with loaders over the past couple years, an old Power-Trac PT-1418 (absolutely loved it EXCEPT it was quite old and I had to work on it too much) and a Massey-Ferguson 1220 w/loader (nice and reliable, but just too darned big and un-manueverable for my yard). As long as it's not too large to work with, having a loader available sure is convenient...you can always find a use for it (moving mulch, building pathways, moving landscape materials...supports the creative stuff that I actually enjoy doing!). So, I'm wondering if maybe looking for a "one machine that does everything I need" would be a good idea. While I'm at it, might as well considering something that can pull at least a small overseeder, aerator, etc.

So, 2nd main question: do any garden tractors come to mind that might fit the bill as one "do it all" machine (three main functions being mowing, leaf cleanup, and light loader work)? I would consider another Power-trac EXCEPT there's no factory bagger (I'd have to build one, and I'd rather not spend the time on it). I don't have any sort of brand loyalty, so feel free to throw out any odd-ball brands or machines.

Back when I had the Power-trac (Versatile Tractors,Compact Tractors,Trailer Packages,Landscaping,Utility Vehicle Rentals,Mowers-Power Trac) I had tossed around the idea of perhaps building a leaf collection/shredding attachment. I was thinking a very large sheetmetal bucket/hopper with either a 48" vacuum slot or a some sort of rotating sweeper/rake assembly to get leaves in, then some sort of shredding mechanism (could have been the vacuum impeller), and one additional hydraulic cylinder to open the hopper for dumping. Since the PT had a 8gpm 2500 PSI auxillary hydraulic connection on the front, that would have been an easy source of power for the attachment. However, hydraulic motors, valves, and hoses can get expensive quick, and since I didn't have time to build it I canned the idea. Sure would have made for easy leaf cleanup though!

TIA!
Dave

 

[jeffinsgf]

My answer would be a John Deere 455. You can get the Model 40 loader for it, as well as several collection options. The collection options range from a double bagger to the MC-519, which holds 19 bushels of leaves and grass. The 455 had a wide range of decks available. If you find one, but the deck is too large, I have a 48 inch deck that I am planning to put on eBay when I get around to it....

The 455 is powered by a 3 cylinder Yanmar diesel that is just about the finest small engine I have ever worked with. If diesel bothers you, the same attachment options and capacities are available in gasoline twin cylinder liquid-cooled models. The 425 is carbureted and the 445 is fuel injected.

These models were discontinued about 5 years ago, but their replacements weren't better, just more expensive.

For a complete (almost) history of John Deere garden tractors and an active forum of users, collectors, and restorers, check out http://www.weekendfreedommachines.org You may find other models more suited to your budget and needs. A 455 in good shape won't be cheap, but I would (and did) take one over just about any new garden tractor you can find -- even a new Deere. I don't have a loader for mine, since it is the baby tractor on our ten acres and I have a loader for my big Deere. I do have the MC-519 collection cart and PowerFlo bagger and have been very pleased with it. The lawn cut from my 455 with either the 48 or 60 deck is nothing short of fantastic. Very even and no chicken grass (ducks when the mower comes around, then pops back up after it leaves). It does everything you asked for, and much, much more if you want it to.

 

[deereguy]

Maybe I got lost somewhere...did you consider a MMM (mid mount mower) on the Fergy with mounted Trac Vac type attachment (I have seen them that mount to the 3pt). If you drop the loader that will add to manuverability and the 3pt will track wherever you drive and then dump where you desire.

Trac Vac Quality Commercial and Residential  Lawn / Leaf Vacuum 's , Attachment 's and Accessories Mfg. by Palmor Products Inc. , Come Visit us at trac-vac.com to see other attachment 's we offer such as our, Aerator, Thatcher, and Snow Blade Front Mount model 662 ?

 

[davesisk]

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

 

[bontai_Joe]

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.

 

[davesisk]

Actually, a 42" - 48" mower would probably work fine...smaller is better in this case though. The bagger is definitely a hard requirement (preferably easy to dump). The loader is a definite nicety, and I already know I'd get quite a bit of use out of it.

Dave

 

[exNCite]

You might look at the Simplicity Legacy XL too. Extremely manueverable with power steering and a tight turning radius. 2WD or 4WD. Has a convenient loader and plenty of attachments.

No matter what you get, it's going to be tough to find a small garden tractor that has FEL capability for 1/4 acre.

But I hear what you're saying about the leaves!!!

 

[2deeskip]

Here is my 2 cents worth on using a mower with rear bagger for leave pickup. Too much emptying. A mower doesn't really chop up the leaves, just blows them into the bags, therfore the bags fill quickly. I have a small Deere with a rear bagger that doesn't bag grass very well, clogs very easily, but bags leaves efficiently. The capacity however creates the problem with leaves, I sometimes can only go 50' and the bags are full of "whole" leaves. A dedicated leaf machine chops the leaves, using less space in the bags or hopper.

 

[MossRoad]

Hi, Dave!

I miss the gnarly beast!

You may want to look into those little snapper riders with the collection system. Several neighbors had them and they really do well on a piece of land under an acre. They mow great, take up a small footprint in your garage and bag grass and leaves very well. Heck, they are designed to be stood up on the rear end for storage to take up less room. Here's a couple links.

Snapper Rear-Engine Riding Mowers

Snapper: Accessories for Rear-Engine Riding Mowers

As far as the walk behind leaf vacuums, I'd stay away from them. I know a couple people that have them and really don't like them. Most of them got them as gifts from spouses or parents. They wouldn't buy another one. The snapper owners wouldn't part with theirs.

 

[davesisk]

Hey MR...nice to hear from ya!

Yeah, I too miss the gnarley beast...but, it's current owner probably still hangs out on this board (and I'll bet the old PT-1418 is still running strong too).

I think I've seen another comment about those Snapper Hi-Vac mowers...it doesn't meet the loader requirement, but maybe I could rig something up.

Dave