Sub compact leaf/grass bagger, what are you guys using?

[piercedtiger]

I've really been thinking about getting one of these myself. We spend a bit of time in the fall gathering leaves, taking multiple trips with an extension on the small wagon and bucket expander to get each layer of leaves off before they get too thick and kill the grass, unhook everything and put it back in the shed, then repeat until the trees are bare. I keep thinking if I could vacuum them up (along with grass clippings from the lawn) it would be so much easier to drive into my small goat pasture and dump the load in a feed bin for them. Or in a pile to save for later. Clear the lawn AND cut down on feed costs for the animals since the chickens would eat the grass and dig through the leaves too. I really like that Protero as there's not another gas engine to maintain.

 

[Fiziksgeek]

I did some research on both, is it me or these things way overpriced? I know fiziks you just your protera a lil bit ago i remember the post when you got it. But code54 how long have you had the rake for? I dont store my tractor inside so whatever i get will be outside 24/7 and im worried about The elements drestroying the plasticss and cover.

Just a quick clarification, I've had the Protero unit since Oct 2013, so one fall leaf season (2013), then 3 full years (2014-15-16) of weekly mowing and fall leaf collection. Seems to be holding up pretty well. Though I keep mine inside. If stored outside, I'd probably tarp it to keep the metal parts dry.

 

[Jonohio]

Cyclone Rake all the way for me. Commercial pro and I'll never use anything else.

 

[KennyG]

I did some research on both, is it me or these things way overpriced? I know fiziks you just your protera a lil bit ago i remember the post when you got it. But code54 how long have you had the rake for? I dont store my tractor inside so whatever i get will be outside 24/7 and im worried about The elements drestroying the plasticss and cover.

Because the Cyclone rake folds up and hangs, you only need about 4 feet of wall space and a couple of square feet of floor space for the engine/blower.

 

[piercedtiger]

Protero PV-18-PTO

View attachment 500181

I'm looking into this again, but can't find the PV-18-PTO sold anywhere. Where did you get it, how much, and do you like it? Seems like nothing but bad reviews online, and I can't even find purchase info on their own website.

 

[Code54]

If you have hills be careful with rear mounted baggers. Around here you almost have to cut with the front loader on to keep the front wheels planted when it gets full.

 

[plowhog]

I ordered the Cyclone Rake XL and should get delivery in about a week. Just in time for leaf season!!

 

[Code54]

We purchased one about 2 or so years ago and it has been great! The Cyclone rake has been the best way to clean up the yard quickly that we found. Enjoy!

 

[JWR]

I use a 3pt mounted PTO driven 3 bag bagger on my Kubota BX2200. Kubota brand. Probably similar one is made for Massey (??) Actually I would guess that the Kubota unit would fit your Massey. Mates to 3pt and PTO which SHOULD be about the same.

I'll make a couple of comments as generic as I can & not brand-specific:
-- A type that is PTO driven and involves NO belts is very desireable. The reasons being mostly obvious -- no belts to wear, nothing to adjust, etc. and maybe not so obvious is serious OOMPH. The thing will pull you in too if you get in the way... about an 18" steel impeller and lots of vacuum. I've seen a few Deere baggers that are inferior because of lack of this feature.
-- The bigger the bags the better -- esp for leaves. I could not handle our leaves each fall without the thing. Essential tool.
-- They WILL clog at times. Not often but all of them will clog. About 70% of the time kicking the tube that runs from the deck outlet to the blower clears the clog.
-- Cheap? Afraid not. Around $1500 and that was 10 years ago. But I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of it.
-- Leave it outdoors ? No way. I think that begs for trouble regardless of brand. Of course you can get by, sort of, with a tarp. If you have covered garage or shed space for the tractor then you probably have space to leave a good PTO driven bagger on it inside the storage area. Much better than chances of having space for a pull-behind sweeper. Even stand-alone on it's own feet the footprint is much smaller than that of a pull-behind.
-- I disagree sorta-kinda with Code 54. I cannot imagine a bagger load of leaves or grass or anything else that would significantly affect my front end getting light on a steep slope. The rear bagger I have keeps the bags very close in to the rear wheels for one thing. And full bags are just not THAT heavy.

 

[Code54]

I use a 3pt mounted PTO driven 3 bag bagger on my Kubota BX2200. Kubota brand. Probably similar one is made for Massey (??) Actually I would guess that the Kubota unit would fit your Massey. Mates to 3pt and PTO which SHOULD be about the same.

I'll make a couple of comments as generic as I can & not brand-specific:
-- A type that is PTO driven and involves NO belts is very desireable. The reasons being mostly obvious -- no belts to wear, nothing to adjust, etc. and maybe not so obvious is serious OOMPH. The thing will pull you in too if you get in the way... about an 18" steel impeller and lots of vacuum. I've seen a few Deere baggers that are inferior because of lack of this feature.
-- The bigger the bags the better -- esp for leaves. I could not handle our leaves each fall without the thing. Essential tool.
-- They WILL clog at times. Not often but all of them will clog. About 70% of the time kicking the tube that runs from the deck outlet to the blower clears the clog.
-- Cheap? Afraid not. Around $1500 and that was 10 years ago. But I have certainly gotten my money's worth out of it.
-- Leave it outdoors ? No way. I think that begs for trouble regardless of brand. Of course you can get by, sort of, with a tarp. If you have covered garage or shed space for the tractor then you probably have space to leave a good PTO driven bagger on it inside the storage area. Much better than chances of having space for a pull-behind sweeper. Even stand-alone on it's own feet the footprint is much smaller than that of a pull-behind.
-- I disagree sorta-kinda with Code 54. I cannot imagine a bagger load of leaves or grass or anything else that would significantly affect my front end getting light on a steep slope. The rear bagger I have keeps the bags very close in to the rear wheels for one thing. And full bags are just not THAT heavy.

I really should have been clearer in that statement - my apologies. Let me try that again -
I only found it to be an issue when I was bagging grass with my rear mounted bagger on my BX25. Leaves were not an issue but with grass and coming up my steep hills you would commonly lose the ability to steer. I also personally feel the 3 bags didn't hold enough when I was doing leaves. I would empty it about 10 times, now with my cyclone rake I empty 2 times (one about 1/2 through then when I'm all done). Now I do have a lot bigger turning radius over the rear mounted unit (do miss that) but the weight is all on the ground so that really helps. If you are not on STEEP hills the rear mounted units won't cause you a problem like JWR said.
I also found my Cyclone almost never clogs. Had one clog ever and I was cutting while it was raining and the grass was about 8" high so I was not too shocked. I feel the 10" vacuum hose helps with that issue a LOT.
I do think the Kubota branded bagger is a good one and is well made! I use their bagger deck adapter for my rake as it fits perfect and works great!