Tow Behind Leaf Mulcher/Vacumm

[plowhog]

I never have understood the need for such

I just finished doing the front yard only. The front is the smallest, then the side is about 50% bigger, then the back is twice the size. For the front, three trips in the 44 bushel hopper of accumulated leaves.

My Husqvarna GT48DXLS was pushing through about 1 foot of leaves, making it 2 feet in front of the mower. I had to stop once because the accumulated leaves were starting to get into the engine and catch fire. They were that deep. Did I neglect the lawn? Nope-- did it last week as well. Lawn isn't growing, but the leaves are sure falling. My normal process is to take a "half bite" to the right side of the blades, moving very slowly, and even then I need to back up once in a while.

If you don't understand it-- you don't have leaves like me!!

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I never have understood the need for such unless you want to collect the stuff for your compost.

Kinda depends on how many trees you have dotted throughout your lawn. And as 4570 Man said, oak leaves don't mulch very well with just a mower; they are tough. And as Plowhog said, there comes a point in fall when even if you mow weekly, suddenly you've got almost a foot of the stuff down. The garden tractor does just what he describes...so many passes required it seems endless and you feel like your GT is drowning in leaves/leaf dust....and so are you.

And don't underestimate the value of collecting the material for compost. Mulched leaves make excellent compost!

All that being said, it is important IMO as RalphVA said to put some of it into your lawn to improve the soil. The first couple of months of fall, it just gets mowed/mulched. Then when the heavy falls happen, the DR comes into play. Believe me, when all's said and done, there's still a nice sprinkling of finely mulched leaf-stuff on the lawn. And a nice big compost pile as well.

Finally, ticks overwinter in dead leaves. 'Nuff said, at least anywhere near the house.

 

[kevinwak]

I never have understood the need for such unless you want to collect the stuff for your compost.

Ralph

On the low area of my lawn I use it to collect the grass during mowing. Or sometimes I run it over the next day to suck up the clippings. This area I mow every three days In The summer and the clipping just build up and start rotting and killing the grass. Grows way to fast Across the fence the native slough grass was about ten feet tall mid July.

 

[aczlan]

I never have understood the need for such unless you want to collect the stuff for your compost.

We collect it to feed to the cows, this time of year we can't cut hay and expect it to dry, so we feed them fresh cut grass clippings from the hayfield.

Aaron Z

 

[4570Man]

I just finished doing the front yard only. The front is the smallest, then the side is about 50% bigger, then the back is twice the size. For the front, three trips in the 44 bushel hopper of accumulated leaves.

My Husqvarna GT48DXLS was pushing through about 1 foot of leaves, making it 2 feet in front of the mower. I had to stop once because the accumulated leaves were starting to get into the engine and catch fire. They were that deep. Did I neglect the lawn? Nope-- did it last week as well. Lawn isn't growing, but the leaves are sure falling. My normal process is to take a "half bite" to the right side of the blades, moving very slowly, and even then I need to back up once in a while.

If you don't understand it-- you don't have leaves like me!!

I prefer to mow through the leafs without a bagger first. It really cuts down on the loads with the bagger and makes things feed smoother. It also makes the pickup less efficient which leaves some leaf material on the yard which I consider a win win. It’s less work for me and is better for the yard. I don’t don’t do very much with the leafs at my house. I cut the grass short and most of them blow away. The remaining few are easily collected in one run at the end of the year or mulched. My grandpa has a lot more. If I mulch everyday it looks alright. Since I don’t usually get that done in the reduced daylight picking them up is required to look decent.

 

[mpham]

Can’t mulch mine. By the end of the season I have a pile bigger then my tractor. I vac them up every couple days.

 

[standup616]

I bought a 6' Lawn Genie for $200. Works awesome for leaves.

I wish I could find a 6 foot one, Ive got a couple 3ft lawn genies at my shop and gave one to father inlaw. Ive been modifying repairing my abused lawn genie for 25 years

 

[crazyal]

If it was me (and I have been telling the wife she needs to buy me one) I would take a ride over to Vergennes and talk with the DR people in person. They should be able to set you up and I'm guessing they must have some sort of return policy. They offer free shipping so maybe they will discount the price if you pick it up.

 

[RoyJackson]

If it was me (and I have been telling the wife she needs to buy me one) I would take a ride over to Vergennes and talk with the DR people in person. They should be able to set you up and I'm guessing they must have some sort of return policy. They offer free shipping so maybe they will discount the price if you pick it up.

Yeah, DR does haves some deals...I'm pretty much done with this season's leaves...but one of these is on my wish list for later this year or early 2019.
I do keep an eye on the DR site for sales and refurbished equipment.

 

[papachaz]

when I was doing commercial lawn service, I had a cyclone rake I used with my Toro ZTR, man it was the bomb!!!! at the time I sold it, we lived in a subdivision with very few trees, and it just didn't merit keeping it. Now that we're out in the country on a couple acres though.....:duh: