Cyclone Rake Screen Problems

[CompactTractorFan]

We purchased a Cyclone Rake Z-10 last season. We did not get to use it much due to a major problem:

The screen keeps clogging up with grass clippings. I have tried both the "leaf screen" and the "grass screen" with no luck. Even if the grass is already mowed and I am just trying to collect leaves, the screen gets clogged up right away. This results in the the bag filling up with air and the whole screen blowing off. Then the contents of the bag escape out the top making a big mess.

Does anyone have any suggestions to fix this problem???

 

[rrrkkk]

Don't know mine has worked perfectly for 3 years I do change from grass to leaf screen depending on what I am picking up. Call them they are very helpful

 

[leonz]

The two things that come to my mind are either that
the travel speed is too fast or the length of the clippings
are too long.

Do you really need the screen at the moment?

 

[Baby Grand]

If I remember correctly, there's a fabric "deflector shield" inside of the bag, near where the flex hose attaches, that knocks the stuff down into the pile. If that were missing or detached, that might explain some of the "bypass" you are experiencing.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Well, it looks like Facebook might just be a good thing after all... I posted the same thing I posted here on their Facebook page, and they want to set up a time when we can talk on the phone to discuss the problems we have been having.

Hopefully they can help...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

If I remember correctly, there's a fabric "deflector shield" inside of the bag, near where the flex hose attaches, that knocks the stuff down into the pile. If that were missing or detached, that might explain some of the "bypass" you are experiencing.

No, it's there...

 

[CompactTractorFan]

The two things that come to my mind are either that
the travel speed is too fast or the length of the clippings
are too long.

Do you really need the screen at the moment?

Yeah, or else all the contents shoot out the top...

 

[CHDinCT]

Sorry CTF - can't give you any suggestions. Mine has worked fine for the 8 years I've had it. But as you've found out, they're a great company to deal with. Great support. Case in point, I had a contractor out to my house a few weeks back and we got to talking tractors. We both have Wheel Horses that we've used with the Cyclone Rake. He made an improved mounting system for hooking up the CR to his Wheel Horse and called CR to tell them about it. Their head engineer actually came to his house to see it and take pictures for possible production changes. It did help he lives in CT where they're located. I'm sure they'll do what they need to make it work or at least make you happy.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Well, I talked to them on the phone...

They said to use Pam spray on the screens, and they also sent me some sort of wire screen device to install. Will have to see how that works out...I'll keep you updated.

 

[Dapolksjj]

I've had the same problem with 2 Cyclones. As you I was advised to spray with PAM. So far I have not. Please advise your success with the screen Cyclone is sending. If it works I intend to order one too.

 

[texas42]

Any thing new on this issue?

 

[BrianW]

I have had the screen ice up. This happens when the temperatures are in the high 30s to low 40s. I haven't found a solution to this.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

UPDATE:

Followed all their instructions, and the screen still clogs...BUT...it's not as bad as it used to be, so the screen doesn't "blow off" like it used too. The vacuum seems to work fine like this since there are auxiliary vents in the discharge tube on the shredder.

Vacuumed up about 2 acres of long grass, and after running multiple loads through it, everything seemed to be working fine even though the screen was clogged.

 

[Baby Grand]

If I get the bag much over 3/4 full it starts bypassing stuff out the top.
So I reach back and whack the bag from time to time as I'm picking stuff up.
When it make a sound like a thump ripe mellon, I know it's time to empty the bag.

 

[coveredbridge]

I've had my Cyclone Rake for about 5 years, and the only time I've had the screen get clogged is when the clippings or leaves are wet. If the material you're picking up is wet, the screen is going to clog.

I received a brush with my CR for cleaning the screen (kind of looks like a toilet brush to me). I've never found it to be particularly effective for cleaning the screen, but I don't use it much because I really try to avoid picking up leaves when they are wet.

I don't know what I would do without my Cyclone Rake.