I've been looking into various leaf/debris collection systems for use with my Ford 1220, particularly the Cyclone Rake from Woodland Power Products in West Haven, CT. In general, I haven't found a great deal of discussion about them in the archives here, or on the CTB (slightly more at the GardenWeb Forums). Two primary questions:
1. Has anyone used a Cyclone Rake on a tractor having a 3-point hitch? (Unlike other vacuum systems which are towed from a hitch, the Cyclone Rake is apparently designed to attach rigidly on the flat rear plate of smaller lawn and garden tractors. While the rigid attachment helps the unit's maneuverability, especially when backing up, it's not clear how you'd attach it to a compact. Unfortunately, the Cyclone factory rep I talked to had no idea what a compact tractor or a 3-point hitch are. Because the 3-point arms will move as I raise and lower my mid-mount mower deck, the Cyclone Rake would need some other way to attach.)
2. Has anyone had any experience with the Cyclone Rake, or other vacuum systems (e.g., Trac-Vac, EZ-Vac (BlueBird International), Goossens, Giant Vac, or Agri-Fab)? Worth the price? How effective are they when using an intake hose to vacuum planting beds, as opposed to open lawn areas where the intake is attached to your mower deck?
Thanks for any or all feedback.
Andy
1. Has anyone used a Cyclone Rake on a tractor having a 3-point hitch? (Unlike other vacuum systems which are towed from a hitch, the Cyclone Rake is apparently designed to attach rigidly on the flat rear plate of smaller lawn and garden tractors. While the rigid attachment helps the unit's maneuverability, especially when backing up, it's not clear how you'd attach it to a compact. Unfortunately, the Cyclone factory rep I talked to had no idea what a compact tractor or a 3-point hitch are. Because the 3-point arms will move as I raise and lower my mid-mount mower deck, the Cyclone Rake would need some other way to attach.)
2. Has anyone had any experience with the Cyclone Rake, or other vacuum systems (e.g., Trac-Vac, EZ-Vac (BlueBird International), Goossens, Giant Vac, or Agri-Fab)? Worth the price? How effective are they when using an intake hose to vacuum planting beds, as opposed to open lawn areas where the intake is attached to your mower deck?
Thanks for any or all feedback.
Andy