ORLO-your just the guy I needed to hear from. I'm in the market for a leaf collection system. I was considering the Cyclone Rake or the MC519 cart. It's good to hear from someone who has used both. What cyclone model do you have? I'm considering the commander to use with my John Deere X530. I was at the Cyclone factory yesterday and heading to my local John Deere dealer today to look at the MC519. I'm leaning towards the Cyclone right now. Both are about the same price to connect to my machine. I like the Cyclone because it folds up for storage which is good for me. I also can use the cyclone on my fathers machine at his house without hauling my John Deere here as well. I just need to get an extra hitch plate and a boot for his machine. Any other comments are welcome to help with my decision.
Worthwhile grass collection system?
- Thread starter camillit
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orlo
Platinum Member
Josie:
Just to clarify I've used the PowerFlow collection System on my 2305 (Not sure the model #), and the Cyclone rake Commercial (Circa 2004). It has a 6hp Tecumseh engine on it and a huge fabric hopper. I got the dual casters.
The only possible advantage I'd say for the power flow system is it's more compact since it's mounted on the tractor but I wouldn't buy it again. It also empties very, very easily - The CR Doesn't - (Don't believe the videos). Again, a pain to unclog, clogs often, doesn't hold much compared to the CR, etc. Also, on the 2305 the mounts BOLT on, making using the 3pt a pain. These days I typically only use my Power flow system on the 2305 for leaf collection in the fall, I mulch all other times. I have used the CR on the 2305, a 3320 and 3820 with a 72" deck and it kept up will all of them no problem.
One other note on the PF system. It sucks a LOT of power from your mower. On the 2305 I didn't so much notice the power loss as the just about doubling (maybe more) of fuel consumption. Not sure how much HP it takes but it takes that HP all the time whether you are cutting a lot of material or not - As long as the deck is engaged it's using a lot of HP. Note that the fuel consumption on the CR isn't great either but at least it doesn't take any power away from the mower/deck.
If I was considering guying a cyclone rake (again) I think I'd get a DR model instead.The fabric bags clump the material. Unless it's dry leaves it isn't going to slide out like the video shows. You'll be digging it out since the sides 'pucker' outward and stop it from sliding. The DR has hard plastic sides which I think would really be slick to slide the material out.
I would also get fixed wheels instead of casters if possible. If you are used to a trailer and don't mind do it. The casters are really a pain in the *****. Also if you are trying to get close to a house, car, or obstacle you need to turn away very, very, very slowly to avoid whacking anything, you don't have that problem with a trailer type setup. I know DR offers that, not sure about CR. Also the caster tires wear out quickly since they oscillate from side to side.
The DR's have a lifetime guaranteed metal impeller that looks like it would do a good job (I know folks with it and they like it). I will say the impeller on the CR which they claim is pretty much indestructible is. Mine doesn't show much wear after all the use I've put it through and I don't think I have any chips or anything on it. You could blow crushed rocks with it all day and the impeller would hold up (You'd shoot a hole in the chute though...
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Just to clarify I've used the PowerFlow collection System on my 2305 (Not sure the model #), and the Cyclone rake Commercial (Circa 2004). It has a 6hp Tecumseh engine on it and a huge fabric hopper. I got the dual casters.
The only possible advantage I'd say for the power flow system is it's more compact since it's mounted on the tractor but I wouldn't buy it again. It also empties very, very easily - The CR Doesn't - (Don't believe the videos). Again, a pain to unclog, clogs often, doesn't hold much compared to the CR, etc. Also, on the 2305 the mounts BOLT on, making using the 3pt a pain. These days I typically only use my Power flow system on the 2305 for leaf collection in the fall, I mulch all other times. I have used the CR on the 2305, a 3320 and 3820 with a 72" deck and it kept up will all of them no problem.
One other note on the PF system. It sucks a LOT of power from your mower. On the 2305 I didn't so much notice the power loss as the just about doubling (maybe more) of fuel consumption. Not sure how much HP it takes but it takes that HP all the time whether you are cutting a lot of material or not - As long as the deck is engaged it's using a lot of HP. Note that the fuel consumption on the CR isn't great either but at least it doesn't take any power away from the mower/deck.
If I was considering guying a cyclone rake (again) I think I'd get a DR model instead.The fabric bags clump the material. Unless it's dry leaves it isn't going to slide out like the video shows. You'll be digging it out since the sides 'pucker' outward and stop it from sliding. The DR has hard plastic sides which I think would really be slick to slide the material out.
I would also get fixed wheels instead of casters if possible. If you are used to a trailer and don't mind do it. The casters are really a pain in the *****. Also if you are trying to get close to a house, car, or obstacle you need to turn away very, very, very slowly to avoid whacking anything, you don't have that problem with a trailer type setup. I know DR offers that, not sure about CR. Also the caster tires wear out quickly since they oscillate from side to side.
The DR's have a lifetime guaranteed metal impeller that looks like it would do a good job (I know folks with it and they like it). I will say the impeller on the CR which they claim is pretty much indestructible is. Mine doesn't show much wear after all the use I've put it through and I don't think I have any chips or anything on it. You could blow crushed rocks with it all day and the impeller would hold up (You'd shoot a hole in the chute though...
.Thanks for the input. I've pretty much decided on the Cyclone Rake. I looked at the JD powerflow with the cart. Not really impressed considering it's about the same price as the CR and doesn't have it's own engine. I was quoted $1473 for the CR with dual casters and $1486 for the JD PF with the MC519 cart. I watched a video at the JD dealer of a machine using the powerflow. At one point in the video it looked like the PF unit weighed down the deck on the side where the PF unit mounted. I'm not too worried about having to "assist" the material when I dump it. I realize I'm not going to eliminate all manual labor with whatever system I go with. I have been told that the newer CR units have been redesigned to dump better than older models. Not sure how much "improved" means but I'll find out. Anyway I also looked at the Trac Vac set up. The Trac Vac was over $2000 for a similar in size set up. I decided to go with the CR set up for a few reasons.
1) The CR unit folds up and requires little storage space. This is probably the best feature for me since I don't have a lot of space to store a seasonal piece of equipment this size.
2) In choosing the CR over the JD PF system the JD cart is a 19 bushel unit. The CR Commander (the model I am looking at buying) is a 32 bushel unit. Also I believe the CR will actually do a better job at leaf clean up which will be my primary use.
3) If I ever get a different brand tractor (not that I'm planning on it) I can still use the CR with it. I will just have to buy a new boot to attach to whatever mower deck I get. Unlike the PF unit that will only adapt to a JD without a lot of fabrication.
4) I can let my father borrow the CR for his yard if he buys a hitch plate and a boot for his craftsmen without having to haul my JD to his house also (about 35 miles). With the ability to quickly collapse and dismantle the CR he can easily haul the whole thing back and forth in his mini van if he wanted.
1) The CR unit folds up and requires little storage space. This is probably the best feature for me since I don't have a lot of space to store a seasonal piece of equipment this size.
2) In choosing the CR over the JD PF system the JD cart is a 19 bushel unit. The CR Commander (the model I am looking at buying) is a 32 bushel unit. Also I believe the CR will actually do a better job at leaf clean up which will be my primary use.
3) If I ever get a different brand tractor (not that I'm planning on it) I can still use the CR with it. I will just have to buy a new boot to attach to whatever mower deck I get. Unlike the PF unit that will only adapt to a JD without a lot of fabrication.
4) I can let my father borrow the CR for his yard if he buys a hitch plate and a boot for his craftsmen without having to haul my JD to his house also (about 35 miles). With the ability to quickly collapse and dismantle the CR he can easily haul the whole thing back and forth in his mini van if he wanted.
orlo
Platinum Member
Josie: You won't be disappointed, and I didn't mention that the CR does come apart nicely and hangs up on the wall - That's the way I store mine. I agree with all your points. If you have 'nooks and crannies' it's worth getting the hose extension although it's pricey. Also, the urethane hoses upgrade is pricey but I've never cut or punctured my hoses yet and I've had it since 2004. They are pretty tough.
