Boots for Leaf Vacuums

[Suburban B]

What do you like for mower deck adapter boots for leaf and lawn vacuums? I have a DR 9.0 Premier Leaf Vac, which I picked up last year on Craigs List. After a full year, I have been very happy with its ability.

I currently have a plastic boot sized for a 38" JD STX 38. Today, I bought JD Garden Tractor with a 48" deck to replace my smaller riding mower. Since I hope to keep this newer machine for a long time, I would like to get the right boot for the job. Specifically, I would like to hear from folks on what boot/deck adapter works best for them and why. The plastic type that you cut to fit? Trac Vac's welded and pricey boot. Agri Fab? TSC? Others?

Has anyone figured out a way to just keep the OEM, spring-loaded chute cover on their lawn or garden tractor and just slip an adaptor for a vacuum on when needed? That would be a great set up.

Currently, on my STX 38, I just slide the pin back onto the deck chute flap when I am just cutting the grass. Once I took the spring load off the flap, I couldn't easily put it back on again. So, I go back and forth that way.

 

[Just2quickz28]

Agri Fab sells a universal boot and mounting kit, you cut it to fit your deck... I use one on my trac vac, works ok.

I welded 2 mounting points under the flap for the mower made it so the flap can close when the boots not in place then using the Argi Fab boot and some flat stock I made it so that the flap gets lifted up and the boot goes under and gets a pin through the mounting points. The spring on the flap helps hold the boot in place.

 

[Suburban B]

Just2Quick,

The welding points are a good idea and what I was hoping to hear. I can picture what it might look like, but any chance you would show off your ingenuity with a photo? I imagine that the points come down about an inch from the underside of the deck and then stick out from the end of the deck chute about 1.25 to 1.5 inches. Does that sound about right?


SB

 

[Just2quickz28]

I will take a picture tonight when I get home from work.

 

[Bolens1700]

Check out this site. They have a chute that should attach to your deck.

Lawn Tractor Leaf Bag- Making Yard Clean-Up and Easy Ride

 

[budlite]

I know DR sells a plastic boot for their vacuum (I have one) but you have to cut it to fit your mower deck. It's not hard to put on or off it's not real quick. You can order from their website but its $80!

http://www.drpower.com/twostepaccessoriesalt.aspx?name=leaflawnvac2step&page=llvacc

 

[Just2quickz28]

Heres some shots of my set up, pretty easy on and off. Pull the pin and its off and the flap closes down all the way for mowing with out the vac system.

Boots pretty beat up for 4 years of use (might be time for a replacement)

Just realized my dog is always getting in my way

NOTE: the stick is not part of the system

 

[Suburban B]

Just2quickz28, thanks for posting the photos. That makes it clearer to me that you are just moving the flap back about 1.5". I can't see how that could cause any problems

My DR MDA is similar to your AgriFab. The only difference that I can tell is that instead of a tapered end, there is a cone adapter that can be used. I expect to take possession of my JD GT245 this weekend, and I will be on it immediately to see if your set up will work for me.

I recently learned that Cyclone Rake has started selling its MDAs to other users. That could be another option for a lower profile boot.

 

[Just2quickz28]

Actually the flap wasn't moved. the original mounts for the factory flap wasn't touched. I just welded on the angle iron for the boot mounts under the flap. This allows the flap to be pulled up and the boot put on under the flap. Things may be different on your mowing deck. If you look closely at the flap picture you can see where I trimmed off the plastic to get it to sit correctly.