How to pick up pine needles?

[len10]

I also have a Cyclone rake. We used to have so many white pines, but the Cyclone Rake made it a breeze to clean up the needles. I had to make some modifications to the rake as it was a pain to empty. I think they made some improvements to the newer version. Mine is at least 13 years old.

 

[gizmo111]

Thanks to all for the information

 

[sd455dan]

Around here, in preparation for the high fire risk season, we are required to clear all loose pine needles and other combustibles for a distance of 100' around any structures. Living in a forest with lots of pine trees, that results in quite a lot, and we have to get rid of them somehow. I don't have enough to sell commercially but on the other hand they charge me $5/yd to dispose of them. in any event, I am looking for an easier way to load them into a trailer to cart them away.

This is how We did it on a field to be a replanted pasture. first raked it with an old servis landscape rake

Then angled the manure bucket /grapple and squeeze... then it can be dumped in a trailer or whatever... it worked for me:thumbsup:

 

[xzcVAbc5]

Without reading the entire thread...

Why not just burn them before they become a problem? Is there a burn ban?

 

[gizmo111]

The area I live in is a mecca for the environmentalists and only allow a few days in a year to burn...after obtaining a burn permit. They are trying to do away will all burning.

 

[NCMau]

I have both pine and assorted leafed trees with woods on two sides. Bought a Cyclone rake, it does great on any loose debris. Pulls behind tractor. They can attach to just about any contraption out there. I just converted mine to a x758 for this year's Foliage.
Cyclone Rake Lawn Vacuum Systems call them good bunch of people.

Jim, doesn't the pine needle vacuum get cluttered with just pine straw? I have an old 5HP Sears system modified similar to the Cyclone, but not that powerful. If I vacuum just pine straw, it will get clogged every time. My assumption is that the Cyclone has a lot more vacuum power than mine. Mine works great with leaves and maybe with a combination, but not with just pine needles.

 

[gizmo111]

The only problem with the vacuum system is a lot of dust...unless you are removing pine needles from lawns.

 

[lsd]

does any one know how to make a stand for a 3pt post hole digger, or how do you store yours?

 

[bcp]

I never had much luck picking up pine needles with a post hole digger. What's your method?



Bruce

 

[NCMau]

I never had much luck picking up pine needles with a post hole digger. What's your method?



Bruce

Neither did I.

 

[gizmo111]

How much do the Cyclone rakes sell for?

 

[len10]

How much do the Cyclone rakes sell for?

I have the "classic" which is the smallest model. It sells for $1045. The largest model sells for $1945.

 

[Jimh4662]

Because the mower is cutting/mulching as you go the suction is extremely powerful. Mine is middle of the road size. 8 inch with 9 hp motor. Some dust involved depending on the debris. When the trailer is full it produces dust out the vent. So you empty and start again. They make a screw drive or hydraulic type lift to assist. If you lower your deck will vacuum more debris. It is trial and error. But the machine works its not one of them smoke and mirror miracle devices as seen on TV buy one get one free plus separate S&H. It is one of the real get what you pay for. I think they have a try and buy. Call them. You will talk to a person and not asked to press one for English.

 

[gizmo111]

I can't quite see in the photo how you clamped them to the bucket. How did you do it?

 

[sd455dan]

I can't quite see in the photo how you clamped them to the bucket. How did you do it?

With the Grapple???

 

[gizmo111]

With the Grapple???


View attachment 326125

How much did it cost you? How long to attach to bucket?

 

[sd455dan]

How much did it cost you? How long to attach to bucket?

Well it's not really a standard bucket the category it fits in would be- a tined manure bucket/grapple this one is used
New would be close to $1000 I would think...
As far as (attaching to bucket ) this whole assembly pins on to the loader arms.
I have a standard bucket for normal loader uses...

 

[gizmo111]

That is an interesting bucket and it looks like you can pick up a lot of needles that way. Thanks for the photo and info. It is appreciated.

 

[RedDirt]

The photos here are for a fairly easy and cheap-to-build front loader brush forks. The "L" tine support is 3x3x3/8 and the fork rebar is 3/4", doubled every other fork the back guard is 1/2" and 3/8" rebar alternated. All stock was in the scrap pile so it just cost me fabrication time and a bit of welding stick. I live in the forest too and this moves A LOT of pine needles effortlessly on my BX 23.







See the painted photo. The bottom 3x3x3/8 "L" deflected under big loads (green, leafed out logging branches, not pine needles) so I boxed the "L" with another piece of 3x3x3/8...no problems since with loads to max loader capacity...granted it's a small tractor.

 

[gizmo111]

Excellent needle rake...Thank you for being so kind to post the photos and information. It will make it easy for me to build one for my small JD 2210.