TimBuck2
Bronze Member
I have a machine basically the same as the Trac Vacs and Cyclone Rake etc. and it was perhaps my best tool purchase ever. Anything that is loose enough for a mower deck to lift off the ground and shot through the shoot of the deck will be captured by these machines.
They are not perfect. They will not pick up pine needles that have settled to the ground amongst the blades of grass (if you vac often while the needles are held up by the grass, you can get most of them). They also do not get up matted grass in the spring.
Something other than a mower blade would be required to get the needles and matted grass. There are machines call power rakes, never seen one work but I suspect that is what they are for. Combining a power rake and a lawn vacum would be the ticket, but I have never seen it - if anyone else has, let us know.
If you lawn is of any size (half acre or more), I would spend the extra money to get the biggest and most powerful machine you can find (within reason of course) ...
My machine used 6-inch diameter hoses, and they do clog up. 8-inch would be better
You will pick up small rocks, acorns, hickory nuts, etc. The elbow going from the blower to the collection box takes a **** of a beating from these projectiles. Find a machine with a heavy gauge steel hose connecting the blower to the collection box. (Trac Vac uses a flexible steel hose that looks pretty stout).
My machine is an EasyVac, made by a small company called EasyRake, which was bought up by BlueBird International. The blower is make with heavy gauge steel, and is a servicable 3" chipper as well. BlueBird still makes these machines, but not as chipper-vacs, just as vaccum/blowers. My guess is that a BlueBird machine will be among the best. Their phone is 800-808-2473. I think you can also find them on the web.
They are not perfect. They will not pick up pine needles that have settled to the ground amongst the blades of grass (if you vac often while the needles are held up by the grass, you can get most of them). They also do not get up matted grass in the spring.
Something other than a mower blade would be required to get the needles and matted grass. There are machines call power rakes, never seen one work but I suspect that is what they are for. Combining a power rake and a lawn vacum would be the ticket, but I have never seen it - if anyone else has, let us know.
If you lawn is of any size (half acre or more), I would spend the extra money to get the biggest and most powerful machine you can find (within reason of course) ...
My machine used 6-inch diameter hoses, and they do clog up. 8-inch would be better
You will pick up small rocks, acorns, hickory nuts, etc. The elbow going from the blower to the collection box takes a **** of a beating from these projectiles. Find a machine with a heavy gauge steel hose connecting the blower to the collection box. (Trac Vac uses a flexible steel hose that looks pretty stout).
My machine is an EasyVac, made by a small company called EasyRake, which was bought up by BlueBird International. The blower is make with heavy gauge steel, and is a servicable 3" chipper as well. BlueBird still makes these machines, but not as chipper-vacs, just as vaccum/blowers. My guess is that a BlueBird machine will be among the best. Their phone is 800-808-2473. I think you can also find them on the web.
