3-Point Hitch GC1705 Cyclone Rake leaf vacuum.. ready for Fall/Spring cleanups!

[bartjoebob]

Picked up this Cyclone Rake for $250 on Craigslist. Motor is a 6.5hp Tecumseh Enduro, the kind that used to be on gokarts when I was a kid and it runs like a champ. I ordered new bag, mower boot, and longer hose from Cyclone Rake--- they were excellent to deal with. Used a 2x4 and drawbar to make it quickhich compatible. Used a 2x3 to mount the boot to the mower deck via the deflector bracket... No drilling through mower deck required to do this and if wood splits, I have 6 more feet of it.

All in all with extra parts it came to about $650. Not bad compared to spending a couple grand on something PTO driven. One cool thing about these cyclone rakes is the vacuum attachment. All I need now is a 6" hose and I can suck out mulch beds and around the foundation too

 

[WranglerX]

Even though C Rake seems to be on pivoting wheels I would have also pivoted it at drawbar (ball type trailer hitcH) if it were me....

Dale

 

[bartjoebob]

Even though C Rake seems to be on pivoting wheels I would have also pivoted it at drawbar (ball type trailer hitcH) if it were me....

Dale

I considered that but I didn't want to introduce stress from the hose pivoting on the mower boot and collars. I think these mounted to a standard lawn tractor are meant to be pulled by these two bars

 

[Code54]

Even though C Rake seems to be on pivoting wheels I would have also pivoted it at drawbar (ball type trailer hitcH) if it were me....

Dale

It would make it about impossible to back up. The wheels on the rake spin and allow the rake to follow you and back up very easily.

 

[irvingj]

I'd say you got a deal!! I have a similar machine by DR, and it works exceptionally well. You'll love it.

 

[KennyG]

That has to be the deal of the week. It's a great machine.

 

[WranglerX]

It would make it about impossible to back up. The wheels on the rake spin and allow the rake to follow you and back up very easily.

I tow a fix wheel trailer (Crapsman) version of lawn vac with single point hitch and in several years of operation have yet found need to backup unit (though it can be done)... It's just my take (opinion) on work to be done, your results will vary....

Dale

 

[oldballs]

That has to be the deal of the week. It's a great machine.

X2...................................X2

 

[atsah]

Yes that was a steal..

 

[JWR]

That has to be the deal of the week. It's a great machine.

Agree that was a good deal. With your $650 total in it, I spent around $1K more than that for a 3pt PTO-driven Kubota 3 bagger. No way I could handle our leaf problem each fall without it. Not to disparage your deal -- obviously a good one -- but I find the "up close and in tight" design of the 3pt bagger better for me because I have room to store it and would not for the pull-behind. Also, I agree with Dale I would want it pivoted at the draw bar -- not for backing up but for maneuverability. Being an unintentional bull in a china shop anyway, I know I would break or bend something with it swinging out that far behind and trying to make turns, etc. I would find it easier to limit my turns and not over stretch the slinky hose than to avoid the very long fishtail issue. I'm guessing you have a large lawn/lot to deal with and enough storage space too. Should be a very effective tool.