trac vac 662

texblonigan · Nov 21, 2002

Does anybody have any experience with a TRAC VAC and a B7500 (or similar model)? I have steep slopes, so the TRAC VAC 662 (or 662-K with the Kohler engine) that mounts on the 3-point lift arms seems like it would work great. Are these better implements than the Kubota baggers for the B7500? (Note, I have LOTS of oak trees, so I need the bagger for leaves in the fall)

JackIL · Nov 21, 2002

Tex,

I have owned 3 Trac-Vacs over the years and think highly of them. However, I have no experience with the 662. From looking at the specs on the Trac-Vac website, it appears the 662 has a capacity of only 20 cubic feet or about 16 bushels. If you have lots of oak leaves that isn't much. I would suggest you consider a larger model.

If you are seeking a unit without a trailer to avoid maneuvering problems, then you might also want to look into the Cyclone Rake (www.cyclonerake.com). The vacuum is mounted behind the tractor on 2 caster wheels. If you go to the website under the customer comments section, you will see the larger of their 2 models on a Kubota. Order the free video and catalog to see a lot more of the details. I think you will be impressed with the innovative technology that has been built into this system. My neighbor has the smaller version and operates on a steep hill covered with oaks. It is very impressive.

Jack

drcollie · Nov 23, 2002

I've got a Hasty Vac, 5HP model which is similar to a Trac Vac except it's a bit sturdier (and more expensive). I bought it for use with my Cub Cadet 2000 series garden tractor to get the leaves on my 2 acres of lawn that is surrounded by 3 acres of woods. It did an excellent job with the Cub Cadet and it's 48" deck.

http://www.haminc.com/products/hastyvac2.htm

When I moved up to the Kubota BX22, I changed the chute adaptor for the 60" MMM Deck and it hooked up just fine. However, I'm finding that the 5HP unit with the 6" diameter hose is not capable of keeping up with the tractor's volume of leaf movement using that size deck. Hasty Vac makes a larger 8HP model which is the ticket for these larger tractor decks, and they come with a larger diameter intake hose as well. All your clogs come in the connector hose between the deck and the mulcher/blower, mostly when damp or wet. The end result is a SLOW trip around the yard with the smaller units.

Having said that, go for capacity! My Hasty Vac holds 32 bushels and in one sweep of the yard in the fall, I have to dump it four times. Don't be tempted to go with the small 'three-point' units that go on back the tractor, you'll go mad emptying them all the time!

Hasty Vac's are a little harder to locate than Trac Vac's, but they are heavier steel, have a better and more durable dumping system and only cost about 15% - 20% more than the Trac Vacs.

-Duane C

Winejon · Nov 25, 2002

I want to echo Duane's advice re size. I've been using the largest Trac Vac (the 880) on my 18 HP Model 1811 Cub Cadet, for a 2.5 acre lot in town, and it's none too big. So when I finally buy a B series Kubota for a recently acquired farm, I'll purchase the appropriate bonnet for the deck.As Duane says, a good mower deck tends to put out leaves and grass faster than any but the largest vacs can handle. The diameter of the hose is even more important than the throughput, because twigs get stuck and then gather a choking amount of debris.

texblonigan · Nov 25, 2002

Thanks for all the input. My major concern with the larger models and other brands is that I am constantly operating on hills. It seems like the trailer-style models would be unstable, especially when empty. Maybe this isn't the case, but it seems like they would be tippy??

Jeff396 · Nov 25, 2002

Sounds like I was in the same situation as you. My 2.25 acre lot is all hills with lots of forward and reversing both up and down hills. I figured the trailer systems would be more trouble than they were worth. I ended up getting the Kubota collection system for my B7500. It works great but the 10 bushel capacity is ridiculously small. It seems to be more sized for your avarage .5 acre sub lot. It gets a little old with the number of trips to and from the dumping spots. It's still better than raking though!!!!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Jeff

texblonigan · Nov 25, 2002

Exactly-- anything to avoid raking! I have a call into the local Trac-Vac dealer. The 662-K mounts on the 3-pt, and the capacity capacity is 16 bushels, a little better than the 10 bushels for the Kubota. Plus, it shreds it prior to bagging. Like you, I am doing a lot of forward and reverse to go up and down the hills.

Anonymous Poster · Nov 26, 2002

TexB,

I don't think you have come to grips yet with how very small 16 bushels is when you are talking about vacuuming leaves. My father-in-law has a trailer with over 40 bushels capacity on his vacuum and complains about how often it has to be emptied when collecting leaves. Is there a way for you to have your dealer let you demo this 16 bushel unit before you commit to purchasing? It might help with your decision.

You have expressed a concern about not wanting to use a trailer on your hills. One of the other responders suggested consideration of the Cyclone Rake. Even though it may look like a trailer, it is not of the usual type. It is connected to the tractor with 2 pins and has 2 rear caster wheels. It follows the tractor around as though it wer just an extension of the tractor. This makes it very easy to maneuver. The only thing you need to watch out for is when mowing closely around buildings so that the rear doesn't contact when you steer. It is like having a rear finish mower in that way. The cyclone rakes have much more capacity than 16 bushels and also shreds the leaves as the Trac-Vac does.

It is worth a look in my opinion.

Kyle

FABEATS · Nov 26, 2002

I have the Agri-Fab system and modified it to fit my B-7500. I found a post with a photo where someone else modified theres to fit a BX2200. It works very well and holds 32 cubic foot. I have just a hair over two acres with lots of maple trees. The entire yard is covered when they start coming down. The only place I cant use the system is on the roofs of the garage, house and sheds. Even then I blow the leaves off the house and run them through the vac system. Its a trailer system that cost me about $850.00 at Quality Farm and Fleet when they were open. Tractor Supply Co. also have them now. The machine does not mulch, the mower deck does that. When using the machine and the leaves are really heavy I have to dump twice with a full load and then a third time if they are wet.