Cyclone Rake Models and Hose Diameter

[savaytse66]

I finally decided to drop the cash on a Cyclone Rake. My first cut of the season left me with unmanageable piles of grass clippings. My MO last summer was to create windrows, essentially, with every pass of the mower and use the bucket to pick it up. It was very time consuming and divots in my lawn from the bucket teeth were common!

So now I am left with a choice of the XL or the Z-10. The XL has a smaller engine than the Z-10, but also has a smaller 8" vs 10" hose. I am wondering if the larger diameter hose of the Z-10 doesn't offset the sucking power of the larger engine? There is a $200 difference between the two. I have no problem spending the extra $ on the larger engine if I will see a performance difference; I am almost always an advocate is bigger is better and you get what you pay for. My ultimate plan is for easy dumping into the compost pile and yearly cleanout of the chicken coup. I have some, but not many leaves to deal with; one oak and 3 maples. Usually the winds on top of the hill take care of the leaves for me, but being able to capture them before they blow away will be nice.

In addition to the CR itself, I think I am opting for the electric start option on the engine, as well as the power vac (17 foot hose) and 3-pt hitch adapter, unless anyone advises otherwise. I will be pulling it around on a Kubota BX25.

Thanks for any insight.

 

[leonz]

Soggy spring greetings Savaytse66,

The larger the engine the greater pressure gradient HG (water column pressure)(vacuum) will be created for you.
Don't hesitate to invest in the larger size due to your mower size as it will help you with a greater air velocity when
discharging materials and especially when shredding the grass and leaves before they are blown into the collection bag.

If you have the electric start that will save your back and your arms and forgetting to always pull the starter cord to top dead center to reduce the kickback(don't ask how I know that along with how much it hurts).

Having the Z-10 will only help you in your pursuit of a clean lawn and dealing with poultry litter.
Be sure to use a mask when cleaning poultry litter if you do not already as it will prevent any chance of inhaling
airborne debris and bedding litter dust as well as chicken manure dust.

Does the Z-10 still have the dual pnuematic casters as standard equipment?

Buying larger power is always a plus as it take less effort to do the work and the engines always last longer.

I still have my fathers 37 year old Mathews company 48 inch lawn genie pick up mower and I have always maintained it since new
with new B+S throttle parts, flail mower rotor bearings 9 years ago, engine coils, oil changes, new wheels and wheel bearings etc.

I have to separate the frame from the upper body to have the frame repaired as the landing gear has sagged and needs to be braced
with more welding to stiffen it back to square.

 

[oldballs]

I've had the Z-10 for two seasons now, using it on the Kubota B2620. I found it to be all they advertise it to be. The pull start is easy for me at 84 YO and 150 lbs....and i didn't buy the dump assist gadget. When the Collector unit is stuffed full, it is necessary to rake some of the load out before I'm able to lift for dumping.

Their hitch adapter connects directly to the tractor draw bar and works better (IMO) than hooking it to my three point trailer hitch adapter. So far I've not used the Power Vacuum or the Unloader unit. Most of my use is for Fall and Spring leaf cleanup and I have plenty of uses for the mulch and a place for dumping. My unit has the double wheels and I store the whole thing assembled in my out building.

Their Customer Service is outstanding. Note that my B2620 has greater ground clearance if that makes any difference. The deck height selector cam needs to be tight or the weight of the deck adapter plus the 10 inch hose may put some serious wear on that cam that holds the mowing height in place...in my opinion.

I did make a few of my own modifications to the MDA (Mower Deck Adapter) for fitting to my satisfaction.

 

[IXLR8]

How big is your mower deck? I have the XL on the 54" deck on my John Deere mower and it works great. But I think if the deck was much wider (60"+), then I would want the Z-10.

 

[savaytse66]

How big is your mower deck? I have the XL on the 54" deck on my John Deere mower and it works great. But I think if the deck was much wider (60"+), then I would want the Z-10.

It's a 54" deck.

Having the Z-10 will only help you in your pursuit of a clean lawn and dealing with poultry litter.
Be sure to use a mask when cleaning poultry litter if you do not already as it will prevent any chance of inhaling
airborne debris and bedding litter dust as well as chicken manure dust.

I hear you. We just cleaned out the coup this past weekend, and we'd be in the hospital if we hadn't worn masks!

I decided to just get the bigger Z-10. That way, if I ever upgrade the tractor, we'll be good to go. I'm looking forward to getting it though, as the rain this past week has my lawn growing out of control!

 

[leonz]

It's a 54" deck.



I hear you. We just cleaned out the coup this past weekend, and we'd be in the hospital if we hadn't worn masks!

I decided to just get the bigger Z-10. That way, if I ever upgrade the tractor, we'll be good to go. I'm looking forward to getting it though, as the rain this past week has my lawn growing out of control!

I guess the only thing you have to decide is whether to invest in the shredder impeller or not now as you will not have too much to worry about other than clearances while mowing. (don't ask how I know that haha.

 

[ttener]

I have the z10 and would never get anything smaller. It has great sucking power. I rarely use the hose, except around 1 filthy tree that sheds all winter long over some shrubs. It works great to vac the leaves out of the shrubs. Most of the time, I just rake stuff out onto the lawn and drive over it. The hose will tire you out in no time flat, plus you seem to have to move the equipment constantly. It definitely works, but I tend to go for the path of least resistance.