Pulled the trigger on a Cyclone rake

[Mustangous]

Well after going back and forth between the DR Power and the cyclone rake, I decided to order the Cyclone Rake XL yesterday. DR has some serious deals that are ending very soon and I was almost stupid not to go with them, but i decided the cyclone rake because it would be better for me.

The main reasons i went with the cyclone rake was that it holds 415 gal over the 245(fixed hitch) dr, and the huge 8" deck discharge tube would be good with a 54" deck, and the size is much smaller then the dr. But i would think that the DR would be much less dustier during dry leaf pick up because of the top intake on the container area, which makes it much taller, but a benifit in that area.

Well I ordered their new XL series rake and it has a 9 hp engine and is supposed to have a much bigger impeller/housing, therefore making the suction much better. Well I should get it some time next week and will give everyone an update on it.

 

[Rara Avis]

Well after going back and forth between the DR Power and the cyclone rake, I decided to order the Cyclone Rake XL yesterday. DR has some serious deals that are ending very soon and I was almost stupid not to go with them, but i decided the cyclone rake because it would be better for me.

The main reasons i went with the cyclone rake was that it holds 415 gal over the 245(fixed hitch) dr, and the huge 8" deck discharge tube would be good with a 54" deck, and the size is much smaller then the dr. But i would think that the DR would be much less dustier during dry leaf pick up because of the top intake on the container area, which makes it much taller, but a benifit in that area.

Well I ordered their new XL series rake and it has a 9 hp engine and is supposed to have a much bigger impeller/housing, therefore making the suction much better. Well I should get it some time next week and will give everyone an update on it.

Well the one difference that I see between the two units is the Cyclone impellor doesn't seem to chop the leaves up as the DR is designed to do (10 to 1 reduction)...If that obeservation is true, then the DR 245 gals are really something like 2450 gallons of unchopped leaves...To confirm this I've sent off questions to both DR and Cyclone....

 

[Mustangous]

Well the one difference that I see between the two units is the Cyclone impellor doesn't seem to chop the leaves up as the DR is designed to do (10 to 1 reduction)...If that obeservation is true, then the DR 245 gals are really something like 2450 gallons of unchopped leaves...To confirm this I've sent off questions to both DR and Cyclone....

If you ever mowed over leaves before you would see that the deck greatly reduces leaves to tiny little pieces. I believe with both units, most of the mulching and choping is done with the mower deck and very little with the impeller. The cyclone rake says it has great mulching power that reduces many times its volume. It just doenst throw out any claims. Again i believe the majority is done by the deck.

Let me know what is the out come of that answer. I really didnt hear anyone on here that owned a DR, just some people saying that they should of got a DR. You do know that dr's big big sale is ending very soon? I would call and not wait for email responces...

 

[Rara Avis]

If you ever mowed over leaves before you would see that the deck greatly reduces leaves to tiny little pieces. I believe with both units, most of the mulching and choping is done with the mower deck and very little with the impeller. The cyclone rake says it has great mulching power that reduces many times its volume. It just doenst throw out any claims. Again i believe the majority is done by the deck.

Let me know what is the out come of that answer. I really didnt hear anyone on here that owned a DR, just some people saying that they should of got a DR. You do know that dr's big big sale is ending very soon? I would call and not wait for email responces...

DR is always having sales...

 

[SkunkWerX]

I built my own unit using a 10HP Cyclone Rake Impeller housing.

Forget about lack of chopping, that big impeller spinning around at 3000 rpm destroys dry leaves. I had contemplated cutting Vee grooves in the top edge of the impeller for some shredding action, but, it's not needed. To truly shred and get a big ratio reduction you would need flails, hammers and a grate they move through.
Honestly, I don't get the reduction I would with my leaf shredder, but it's pretty good.

If you are concerned with doing some drastic leaf reduction, do a pre-grind:

Make a blocking plate for your mower deck discharge.
On a dry day mow, using the blocking plate. This will grind leaves at about a 5:1 reduction. Set deck high enough that it doesn't clog if grass is still tall and green.

If the grass was green and tall, and you cut more than 1 inch off, then wait one day for the grass to dry a bit.
Install your vac Unit, and go back over the area, the unit will vac up all the stuff you grinded the day before, and will go 2 to 3 times the distance before needing to be unloaded, since you did the Pre-grind chore a day or two prior.

As dry as it has been around here, I'm not even going to bother with the pre-grind. The dry leaves will self-destuct inside the impeller housing just like you crushed them with your hand.

That 9HP unit will be plenty powerful, my 10HP unit is quite powerful, as it was able to lift my plywood box up several inches. I repalced the entire top with 1/2" x 1/2" mesh and run the unit at 3/4 speed.

Good luck, sounds like you got a nice machine there!

 

[Rara Avis]

I built my own unit using a 10HP Cyclone Rake Impeller housing.

Okay...so when are you going to start marketing it?...



Mustangous
Cyclone just called...between the mower and the impeller...they're leaning towards between 8 to 10 to 1...so they're the same...and Cyclone is way cheaper in price...

 

[BrianW]

I like my Cyclone because it folds flat and hangs on the wall when I am not using it!

 

[Mustangous]

Okay...so when are you going to start marketing it?...



Mustangous
Cyclone just called...between the mower and the impeller...they're leaning towards between 8 to 10 to 1...so they're the same...and Cyclone is way cheaper in price...

I have not been following dr, but iI never seen them have free shipping on everything, extra year warranty, and discounted price on theunits. It brought the 2 very simular in price. Again I had their literature from the summer than they sent me a sale paper, same prices on the net now. But I liked the cyclone rake better.

I ended up getting the dual wheels upgrade(figured a lot of weight, 415 gal worth on a swivel wheels), and the bagger system. So I can't wait to suck up some leaves....

Good luck on your decision and let us know how you make out....

 

[Rara Avis]

I have not been following dr, but iI never seen them have free shipping on everything, extra year warranty, and discounted price on theunits. It brought the 2 very simular in price. Again I had their literature from the summer than they sent me a sale paper, same prices on the net now. But I liked the cyclone rake better.

I ended up getting the dual wheels upgrade(figured a lot of weight, 415 gal worth on a swivel wheels), and the bagger system. So I can't wait to suck up some leaves....

Good luck on your decision and let us know how you make out....

So did you get the super hoses or the regular?

Also, after you use post how much dust you experienced?

Turns out after full pricing...its a coin-flip...

Cyclone DR
$1595 $1619
Dual wheels 99 0
Vacuum 179 179
Power unload 174 169
Mower Adapter 74.50 74.50
jack stand 69.50 0 included

Total 1942 2041.50
Pickup travel 270 miles 20 miles

 

[Mustangous]

So did you get the super hoses or the regular?

The XL comes with the Tuff-Pro Urethane Hose for the mower deck free.

Would you have to pay tax @ Dr if you picked it up? because with CR you do and the shipping would be almost the same, so it doesnt pay to pick it up.

Also the DR you are looking at MAY have the Chipper too....

 

[Volfandt]

I'm on my 3rd season on a cyclone rake and so far so good.
Since I run gator blades I don't have to worry about the space age plastic impeller not slice'n & dice'n as the debris is cut up pretty good before it even gets to the impeller.
Those occasional twigs and walnuts haven't damaged it either.

 

[Mustangous]

I'm on my 3rd season on a cyclone rake and so far so good.
Since I run gator blades I don't have to worry about the space age plastic impeller not slice'n & dice'n as the debris is cut up pretty good before it even gets to the impeller.
Those occasional twigs and walnuts haven't damaged it either.

So whats the deal on those gator blades, are they mulching blades?

How is the fabric bagger and zipper holding up? any complaints yet?

Thanks for the pics.... Tuesday is delivery day and can wait to try it out....

 

[Rara Avis]

I'm on my 3rd season on a cyclone rake and so far so good.
Since I run gator blades I don't have to worry about the space age plastic impeller not slice'n & dice'n as the debris is cut up pretty good before it even gets to the impeller.
Those occasional twigs and walnuts haven't damaged it either.

Do you encounter any leaf dust?

 

[TRCKR]

You will love the Cyclone Rake.* My dad, brother-in-law, and myself went in on one and I can't say enough good things about it.* It is possibly the best engineering I have seen.* The fabric is thick and should hold up for years.* Being able to totally take it apart for storage is quite nice to.* Ours in hooked up on my John Deere 277AWS and is a very good combo.* Ours came with a B&S 6.0 horsepower engine and that is more than enough for it.* I honestly don't think one could feed it enough debris to stall it.* We went with the larger hose.* I have only plugged it twice and it was my fault because I was trying to suck up leaves when it was still wet out.* I wouldn't say that it does the best job of shredding the leaves, but if you slow down it will help with this.* It will be dusty just to let you know.* It has a vent on the top of the holding area and the dust and tiny leaf debris fly out of there. Any other questions, please ask.

 

[coveredbridge]

So whats the deal on those gator blades, are they mulching blades?

How is the fabric bagger and zipper holding up? any complaints yet?

Thanks for the pics.... Tuesday is delivery day and can wait to try it out....

I can't comment on the gator blades, but I am on my third year with the CR as well (Commercial Pro, 7HP). Attached is a photo of the first two years work, taken 11/12/06. (Note to ROPS police - don't bother) Mainly Oak leaves. I recently mixed the year one compost with a load of topsoil and spread it in some low areas of my yard/field and seeded. I am very pleased with the results! I also attached some photos of the CR in action from 2005.

The fabric bagger and zipper are holding up well (about 36 hrs use). The zippers don't really get used much. The bag has flaps that are secured with velcro and latching clips. The only problem I've had so far is with the plastic guards inside the bag - they are attached in the line of the intake air flow, to protect the fabric. One is attached with snaps and it is replacable, but the other is sewn in to the vent/screen. When I emptied a load last fall, I found a 1 1/2" x 4" piece of dead oak branch impaled in the fixed guard. I repaired it with a generous amount of duct tape, and it's holding up so far.

Be advised, it is LOUD! Hearing protection is highly recommended, as well as eye protection (CR included goggles with my rake). Also, it creates copious amounts of dust, especially in dry conditions. Vacuuming in windy conditions is a challenge due to the blowing debris in the air. However, I consider the CR one of the best purchases I have ever made. I could never manage the leaves without it.

 

[Mustangous]

Thanks all, for all your replys. I recieved it today late afternoon, but had to run to work(2nd shift) so didnt get to play with any thing yet.... Cant wait to check it out....

 

[hvac1]

I purchased the cyclone rake about 3 weeks ago. This thing is great. You do have to pay attention due to the added length when mowing close to obsticles and when its full it can be tough to move. So far it's been money well spent.

 

[BobQ]

I got a CR three years ago, it is the pro model, it is excelent! Dusty yes, but they all are, just the nature of the beast, or the screens would clog too fast.

You will like it!

 

[exNCite]

Just curious if anyone knows anything about Swisher. Seems to be very similar to CR in design but less $$$. Clean about an acre but LOTS of trees. I use a sweeper now but is a p..poor way of doing it. Also have a LH discharge which neither CR or DR will address. In fact when you tell them you have a LH discharge they won't even sell you one.

Swisher Lawn Vacuum and Wagon — 5.5 HP, 500-Lb. Capacity, Model# LV5537 | Mower Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[elalexander]

This is my 4th year for a cyclone rake. 200 gal 6hp. Love it. It can be dusty but put a hooded shift on. Load too, but well worth wearing ear muffs to get the leaves sucked up. It does make your tractor/mower longer with the drawbar but that is what makes it great backing up. Since I got mine 4 or 5 co-workers have got one to. Everyone likes the amount of space it can be stored in when not in use.
Overall a great tool if you have a lot of leaves to deal with.