Picking up soggy oak leaves

   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #1  

Haz

Silver Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2002
Messages
104
Location
Northeast PA
Tractor
Kubota L3430cab w/ FEL
I have about an acre of soggy oak leaves which fell just before we started having all that snow this past Fall/Winter. Now that I am mechanized, what kind of attachment could I use to pick up the leaves instead of resorting to a hand rake or leaf blower and footmobile?
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #2  
Haz,
I run a side discharge mower around the perimeter of the lot blowing the leaves to the center. Then I rake the pile of leaves into my loader box (see picture - about $25 and 1 hour time) and drive off to the mulch pile. One acre takes no time at all... Good luck...
 

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   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #3  
The best solution for this problem would be a Leaf-Magnet. This 3-pt attachment has a specially charged metal plate that naturally attracts the leaves up into it's bin. It's hard to find, however, as many dealers don't stock it. The good news is that it's available in a dozen different colors if you special order.

BTW, Happy April 1!! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #4  
Me thinks "Happy April fools Day" to you too. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #5  
I use a leaf blower to windrow them, then use my FEL bucket in the float position with the front edge tipped up about an inch to plow them to a pile in my woods. There they sit until they rot(about a year). Here's a link to a post about it over in the Power Trac forum. There're some pictures, but they were taken at night. You'll still get the idea. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #6  
I use a 38inch leaf sweeper from cub-cadet, it works great, and it picks up more than leaves, sticks, stones, pine needles,
and yes even dog S&@*, saves me a lot of work in the spring and fall. good luck
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #7  
I wait untill they are dry and then use a match. I prefer the "strike any where" kind /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #8  
I prefer the mulching method. At my previous residence I used the 21"mulching mower. I usually had to do it several times over a period of a month as more and more leaves fell. In the end there is almost no trace of leaves, no bending over, no bagging etc, mulching is done. It works best if they are dry and are lifted with the mower suction. If they sit all winter they are stuck to the ground.

At the new "country home" I use the 6 ft finish mower on my 35hp "garden tractor". It has a side discharge, but I keep recutting until there are just small pieces.

From your bio, I see you have a bush hog, that might chop up the leaves or just stir them up to dry better. The bush hog probably does not have a sharp blades to cut up fine leaves.

The one bush hog I used had a rear discharge, maybe you can back into the leaves to move them for easier collection.

A 3-pt blower to move them.

A rototiller and till them into the ground or stir them up?
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #9  
The best thing that we have found living "in the woods" was to buy mulching blades for our zero turn mower. They look like a regular blade but have fingers sticking up on the end. You have to block the discharge chute, so the leaves will stay under the mower and be chopped up. We do not rake or burn anymore, no need to, and the mulch helps fertilize the grass.
 
   / Picking up soggy oak leaves #10  
I mulch all my leaves (mostly maple and hickory) using either my 60" MMM (purchased with mulching kit) and/or the 38" riding mower (retrofitted with mulching kit last fall). I have found mulching is efficient and easy, if you let the leaves dry. A side benefit is it gives one a good excuse for additional seat time.

Bill
 
 
 
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