Cyclone Rake Hitch for BX

[BrianW]

I did not like the idea of using the 3-point hitch for the Cyclone Rake because it makes the package too long. I had the Cyclone Rake on a previous ride mower and the hose would be too short with the three point hitch. I did not want to buy the longer hose so this is what I made. You have to take off the three point arms and bolt on the hitch (2 bolts). The left and right angle brackets stay on the tractor and do not interfere with anything.

[URL=http://s173.photobucket.com/albums/w80/BrNaCa/Cyclone%20Rake%20Hitch/?action=view&current=P1010037.jpg][/URL]

 

[actionaj]

Nice job. I just got done adapting my Cyclone Rake to my 2350. I modified my draw bar to mount up to the hitch. Then I moved the hitch back on the the frame of the rake 4" worked out really well. Doing this I didn't have to buy a longer hose I just had to buy their mower deck boot. What boot did you go with? When I have a chance to I will post some pics..

 

[CHDinCT]

Brian,

Did you fab up the new hitch plate? I have a cyclone rake I run behind my wheel horse and haven't put it on the BX yet 'cause I'm concerned it will be too long using the 3PH mount. My property requires lots of manuvering. This looks like a good solution, and maybe I can use my existing hose and just get a new boot for the BX.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

just curious on how it preforms? Can the cyclone rake keep up with a BX?

 

[BrianW]

What boot did you go with?

I used the Cyclone Rake boot. It fits well

Did you fab up the new hitch plate?

The hitch plate is a piece of 2x3 angle iron.

just curious on how it preforms? Can the cyclone rake keep up with a BX?

Stays right behind it all of the time. I use it mostly for leaves and I try to pick up the leaves after they are brittle so that I get the most mulching. I am sure I could clog it with heavy wet grass. I can always slow down to prevent overwhelming it.

 

[CHDinCT]

just curious on how it preforms? Can the cyclone rake keep up with a BX?

Well it keeps up with my Wheel Horse with a 48" deck just fine. Never had an issue with it clogging other than a stick getting wedged sideways once in a while. I would expect about the same performance with my BX with the 54" deck. Like Brian says, you can just slow down when in the deep stuff (sometimes I'm literally plowing leaves it seems).

If you go to their web site, they show it running behind small craftsman and MTD type lawn tractors. I think that's to make it appealing to the typical homeowner. But, when the trailer is full of leaves, especially if wet, and you're pulling it up a slight slope, I really don' see how those tractors could handle it adequately over the longer run. I'm sure it will cause some premature transmission failures on those units. I always thought they should provide some minimum spec's for the tractor you plan on hitching it to.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I'm surprised it can keep up with how fast a BX can mow given that they really target it towards lawn tractors.

 

[Ken_CT]

Which Cyclone Rake is everyone using? There are four models on their website.

Ken

 

[Volfandt]

The Cyclone Rake is a good match to the BX. I'm on my 3rd season using the smallest model for both grass clippings and leaf pickup and it's worked well with my BX23 & 60" MMM.

Good idea on the modified hitch. I'm using the 3ph bracket for mine and I've added a hitchball to it to make it more useful. Hookup of the CR takes under 3 minutes and requires no tools.

 

[actionaj]

I have the Cyclone Rake Commander I wish I had bought the bigger one for more capacity. It keeps up with my BX with no problems the extra length doesn't seem to be a problem. The only thing I worry about is ripping a caster off if it gets caught on something or bending the frame. The BX has plenty of power to do this with and you probably would not even feel it happening.