tjkubota93
Veteran Member
Buy high a quality used machine
Pull behind leaf vacuum
- Thread starter windcatcher
- Start date
- Views: 19249
OP
windcatcher
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2014
- Messages
- 282
- Location
- North Carolina
- Tractor
- Farmall Cub, John Deere 322 w/ scrape blade & 48" mower, JB JR bucket, Simplicity LandLord DLX, Haban 3 pt hitch Sickle bar Mower, Lemon LS XR3032H
I'm keeping an eye out for one. North Carolina has been an economically depressed area (textiles which are now gone for the most part) for many years. People just don't spend money for leaf collectors. They rake the leaves and burn them.
More than likely, I'll have to bite the bullet and purchase a new unit.
KennyG
Elite Member
I tried this for a while and found only rusted out Agri-Fabs and 20 year old TracVacs. So I bought a new Cyclone Rake. After 8 trouble free years, the initial purchase price is a distant memory.
OP
windcatcher
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2014
- Messages
- 282
- Location
- North Carolina
- Tractor
- Farmall Cub, John Deere 322 w/ scrape blade & 48" mower, JB JR bucket, Simplicity LandLord DLX, Haban 3 pt hitch Sickle bar Mower, Lemon LS XR3032H
I'm perobably going to lean this way too KennyG. So far, the used units I've looked at are either far too small to use my 54" cutting deck or have been run hard and put up wet. Buying new may sting the pocketbook, but at least I'll know what's in the machine, plus I will have a warranty.
BTW KennyG, there was a saxaphone player years ago with your same name. Is there any chance you've picked that name up for your moniker? I do know the guy could play a mean saxaphone.
KennyG
Elite Member
BTW KennyG, there was a saxaphone player years ago with your same name. Is there any chance you've picked that name up for your moniker? I do know the guy could play a mean saxaphone.
Nope. High school name I had before he even existed.
Toomanymaples
Member
Saw this myself, instantly wanted one. I called Steiner and asked how it did with leaves. The sales rep said it didn't do great with leaves and only would pick them up if there was grass.
TMGT
Elite Member
My dad has an older DR, and honestly it's not good. My uncle originally bought it and ended up giving it to my dad a few years ago.
Have had to replace the engine twice, once because the impeller cracked and there was no way to get the impeller off, second time the crank broke internally. The sides are multi peice plastic and because it's so tippy itll fall over if its fairly full, then the side will pop off and dump leaves everywhere. Emptying is an ordeal that can be time consuming and involve more hand work assistance then I think should be necessary.
In 2010 I built my own vac based loosely on the CR, it has had some improvements over the years but basic design is the same, it's not perfect but works well. This year I helped my dad do his yard so we were running both machines at the same time, I would never put up with the DR after that, way too much hassle.
The newer DR seems to have made some improvements, but honestly their engineering in the past left a lot to be desired and I dont think i want to test it with my hard earned money.
My vote is for CR, I would have bought one if I could have afforded it at the time.
Have had to replace the engine twice, once because the impeller cracked and there was no way to get the impeller off, second time the crank broke internally. The sides are multi peice plastic and because it's so tippy itll fall over if its fairly full, then the side will pop off and dump leaves everywhere. Emptying is an ordeal that can be time consuming and involve more hand work assistance then I think should be necessary.
In 2010 I built my own vac based loosely on the CR, it has had some improvements over the years but basic design is the same, it's not perfect but works well. This year I helped my dad do his yard so we were running both machines at the same time, I would never put up with the DR after that, way too much hassle.
The newer DR seems to have made some improvements, but honestly their engineering in the past left a lot to be desired and I dont think i want to test it with my hard earned money.
My vote is for CR, I would have bought one if I could have afforded it at the time.
ChuckT
Gold Member
We had a Cyclone Rake. The rubber/plastic impeller failed. It just came apart. And after warranty, of course. $300.00 for a new impeller (I think they changed the material) so be warned.
Just as clumsy as has been described here. But it really did the job.
Just as clumsy as has been described here. But it really did the job.
OP
windcatcher
Gold Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2014
- Messages
- 282
- Location
- North Carolina
- Tractor
- Farmall Cub, John Deere 322 w/ scrape blade & 48" mower, JB JR bucket, Simplicity LandLord DLX, Haban 3 pt hitch Sickle bar Mower, Lemon LS XR3032H
There has been some great information shared here, and I for one appreciate it a lot. I have checked into two used CR units, and because of prior life experiences, I steered away from both units.
I'm planning of saving up the money to try and purchase a new CR unit. I've been able to see a brand new Dr. Power unit up close, and I really wasn't impressed with the overall quality of the unit. They are improving, but they still aren't up to snuff enough to get me to purchase one.
I'm planning of saving up the money to try and purchase a new CR unit. I've been able to see a brand new Dr. Power unit up close, and I really wasn't impressed with the overall quality of the unit. They are improving, but they still aren't up to snuff enough to get me to purchase one.
keljan11
Bronze Member
I'm sure this post is probably long over, but just wondering if you've checked if there are any of these machines available at a rental company in your area, just to try them out, or even to see how easy they are to start up. For that matter, maybe there is one at a school in your area.