Pull behind leaf vacuum

[windcatcher]

Hi folks. It's been a long time since I had any time to post here.

After doing a lot of leaf raking this past year, I've finally decided to get a leaf vacuum system for me to work with. Quite frankly, I'm getting too old to try to rake all those leaves around here.

I live on almost 3 acres of land, but most of what has to be raked up is about an acre of land. There are some slopes - though none are really bad.

I've looked at the DR. leaf vacuum systems, Agrifab and Cyclone. Though I've watched many youtube videos on each of them, there are times where a person needs to hear real life user experiences.

So, I'm wanting to lean on those of you who already have and use any of these units. I'd like to hear the pros and cons of each unit if you have time to explain. Constructive criticism is very much appreciated.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about each of the units, and if there are other units out there, I'd like to hear about them too.

I'd like to get my unit approaching the leaf fall season this coming Fall.

Thanks in advance.

 

[KennyG]

You are looking at the "Big 3". Differences to consider are that the Cyclone Rake is rigid mount while the others, I think, are actually trailers. This means the CR swings out left when you turn right, etc. But backing up is a no-brainer. If storage is an issue, the CR wins, hands down. It comes apart in minutes and hangs on the wall.

I have used a Cyclone Rake for 8 years now and continue to be impressed with the quality. No complaints at all. However, others seem to like DR and AgriFab. Like any piece of equipment, there will be options. Larger engines and larger vacuum tubes will work better.

 

[ruffdog]

I have a Agrifab unit like this one:

Agri-Fab Tow Behind Mow N' Vac Lawn Vacuum

It will really pack in the leaves and clippings and I can tell it is full because it starts blowing back some. Pretty simple and tough unit. You have to custom trim the chute to your deck so take your time with that and use some ingenuity. It does make your mowing machine LONG so you have to plan your paths differently than just mowing. It is loud so wear your ear protection. I would buy again.

 

[aczlan]

I have a cyclone "semi mount" (mounts with 2 hitches at the tractor and has large casters in the back). We use it on the B7500 and it works fairly well, but it plugs easily, probably need to fuss with the mount for the "boot" to get it lined up better (it's a little too high, so grass gets wadded up under it and we use it to mow a hayfield in the fall, so there is a lot of grass).
We have a 3 point dumping cargo box that I plan to modify to replace the current "trailer" and I think that will help with our capacity issues.

Aaron Z

 

[joecoin]

Steiner makes a pull behind sweeper that I would love to have:

Lawn Sweeper Tractor Attachment - Steiner Turf

 

[windcatcher]

Thanks guys for chiming in. It is very much appreciated. I do like the looks of the Cyclone and especially since it can be collapsed into a much smaller footprint.

I've seen an agrifab unit similar to the one ruffdog posted. Lowes has their current model at $1299.99. I expect come leaf gathering season or inventory time, the price will come down some.

I'd still like to hear from some of the DR. leaf vacuum owners, especially those with the electric start option. I know it's another $200.00 on top of the other stuff, but I'm not getting any younger either.

Oh, I do want to ask you what size vacuum tube you're using. Agrifab I think uses a 6 inch diameter tube, I'm not sure about Cyclone or Dr. How does that diameter work out for you?

Thanks again.

Rick

 

[ruffdog]

I have never plugged my Agrifab and the hose seems high quality and heavy duty. I vac anything I can run over with the cub cadet like pine cones, pine needles, twigs, acorns, dog crap, and mulch. If I windrow leaves too deep, I will start pushing a pile in front of the deck. That is not the fault of the vac though. It does get heavy when full and it saves a ton of time raking.:cool2:

 

[TvJab]

I used to use a pull behind leaf sweeper that worked great for a couple of years. I would dump it all in an area with no trees then mow it down till nothing was left. I now just let the leaves fall and just mulch it with my zero turn where it sits. It has worked out very well and better than collecting them all. :drool::drool::drool::thumbsup:

 

[windcatcher]

Ruffdog: that's really good to know. Some of the reviews I've read or seen on youtube complained about the hose getting clogged up. I try to take things like that with a grain of salt as you never know the conditions the unit is getting used in. Question: I'm sure you have the B&S engine. How is it on trying the get it started with the pull rope? I've had both shoulders repaired for torn rotator cuff, and those things are a bit touchy when trying to pull start an engine.

TVjab: I don't actually have a lot of trees on my property. The tree leaves are coming from trees adjacent to my property. Yeah, I get all the fun......I try to get the leaves up and then put them into the garden for growing mulch. So far, it has worked but as I get older, things are going to have to change.

 

[LouNY]

I have the Agri-fab unit and it works fairly well.
I have had the hoses plug up with small sticks.
The extra hose for the hand vacuum is very nice.
I did pick up a chunk of metal one day with the hand hose, I had to do some hammer work and hole repair after that.

 

[ruffdog]

My agrifab starts good as I too have had 2 shoulder surgeries. You don't pull it fast like a chainsaw, you pull slow because the blower fan acts as a big flywheel. You have time to tinker with the choke/throttle as the engine is rolling over. I wish my tiller engine had this flywheel action. For the rest of the year, I store the hose, hose support arm, and chute adapter in the box, drain the gas, run it dry, then park it.

 

[windcatcher]

"I did pick up a chunk of metal one day with the hand hose, I had to do some hammer work and hole repair after that."

I don't mean to laugh, but that sounds like something I'd do. You picked up a chunk of metal? That thing must have some real suction power.

I may have to check into the Agrifab a bit closer. There is a Lowes about 10 miles from me, and I know I can pay about $65.00 to have the unit delivered to my door. That's a big consideration for me.

 

[windcatcher]

Ruffdog, that's very interesting that you should mention a flywheel effect. I've been there with another engine, and it was a breeze to start that engine. I sure wish I had someone close by that had one of these units so I could start it up and see how it feels. Too bad you can just walk up to one at the store and pull on the rope.

 

[texas42]

I've had a CR for 8 years. It's the XL model with 8HP B&S. I cleanup about 3.5 acres with around 80 trees. Mostly pecan. I average around 14 CR loads a year. I use it with a 2320 JD and 60 inch MMM so it's a 3pt hookup. I'm very happy with mine and recommend CR. They also have great customer service.

 

[KennyG]

My CR is a Commercial Pro and has an 8" pickup tube. I think all the models except the very smallest have at least 8" tubes. I have a lot of sticks that get picked up and I usually plug the tube about once a year. I would not recommend getting a unit with less than an 8" vacuum tube.

If you get a CR and have any fabrication tools/skills at all, you may want to build your own 3 point attachment rather than buy theirs. The standard one is designed for small Category 0 machines. It's pretty easy to fab your own from scratch. I had a 3 point trailer mover/drawbar that I used. You can also fabricate a single point drawbar hitch if you prefer a conventional trailer attachment.

 

[oldballs]

If your shoulders/health is really that bad, I'd look for an electric start machine. Of course, then you have to deal with replacement battery now and then. My 10 HP B/S CR model starts quite easily using the pull start.

This year was a puzzle however. It snowed three times early in November. It was time to take the leaf machine off and mount up the snow attachments. So, it is mild now and leaves are all over the place ..............and no snow??%^&*!!

The size of your selection probably depends on the size of your tractor. The CR company makes a good product with good customer service. IMO.

Keep on truckin' windcatcher

Mike

 

[aczlan]

If your shoulders/health is really that bad, I'd look for an electric start machine. Of course, then you have to deal with replacement battery now and then. My 10 HP B/S CR model starts quite easily using the pull start.

Or setup your tow machine with a set of Anderson Power Pole quick disconnects at the rear and skip the battery altogether.

Aaron Z

 

[plowhog]

My CR is a Commercial Pro and has an 8" pickup tube. .I would not recommend getting a unit with less than an 8" vacuum tube.

I have this same unit and it works very well. I have about a dozen 200 year old oak trees near my residence. 125ft high, full of leaves. They are so deep when mowing I've had them push over the hood of the riding mower and into the engine compartment where they tried to catch on fire on the exhaust. A *lot* of leaves.

My lawn is about half acre. Before mowing and vacuuming up the leaves, I use a leaf blower and blow all the surrounding leaves from the driveways and walkways onto the lawn first. During leaf season I can fill the 44 bushel bagger 3 or 4 times with each mowing. Trying to do this with the factory 7 bushel bagger would not work.

My CR usually starts on the first pull. Not hard to start. I bought the 44 bushel bagger and am glad I did. And when it full you can really feel it-- as you lose much steering authority on the front of the mower. I've ingested some gravel off the driveway-- not much-- but it hasn't caused any damage. Very pleased with the CR unit. I think I paid about $1,800.

 

[MossRoad]

Or setup your tow machine with a set of Anderson Power Pole quick disconnects at the rear and skip the battery altogether.

Aaron Z

And put a set of those connectors on your battery charger, too. And all of your vehicles/machines. Works great! :thumbsup:

 

[dalola]

I used to use a pull behind leaf sweeper that worked great for a couple of years. I would dump it all in an area with no trees then mow it down till nothing was left. I now just let the leaves fall and just mulch it with my zero turn where it sits. It has worked out very well and better than collecting them all. :drool::drool::drool::thumbsup:

+1 on this!

The benefits of mulching leaves back into the soil goes much deeper than just ease & time savings.

I prefer Gator blades on an open deck (no mulch kit needed).

I live on 3 acres of sycamores, so this is a must for me, if I'm to have any grass the following spring.