How to justify the cost of a Cyclone Rake?

[KennyG]

I'm including a picture of mine with the pickup hose. This is the only photo I have now. I took it when I was warming the engine up to change the oil before I put it away for the year, which is why the mower deck is off (and there is snow on the ground.) I have the Commercial Pro because it has the 8 inch mower deck tube and a 5 blade impeller. I figured that was a good match for my 2320 and 62 inch deck. I paid extra for the hardened fan liner (acorns and some stones on the property) but passed on the double wheels. I take it very carefully over rough ground and it seems to be OK with single wheels. The "roof rack" to carry the manual pick up tube might be a good investment if you use that a lot.

I have to clean up around the fence around the swimming pool and the garden and under some trees I can't drive under. Also, I have a basement walkout area that gets several feet deep in leaves because of the wind pattern. That's why I need the pickup tube. I have the standard 17 foot tube and I'm thinking about getting the extension tube for next year to double the reach. They are fairly expensive but it would make some of the cleanup easier. It really pulls well. The only time I was able to plug a tube was the with the mower deck when I was trying to drive through a pile of leaves over a foot deep. Both the deck and the pickup tube handle very wet leaves with no problem. The only negative thing about using the pickup tube is that it doesn't mulch the leaves. The Cyclone Rake doesn't do that, only your mower deck will.

I'm also adding a picture of the unit hanging on the wall. It works just like the advertising shows. Mine is mounted very high because the best spot was over the swimming pool filter. However, it's still easy to put up there.

 

[Tabasco Jack]

Dad bought the CR Commander about 20 years ago. I've had charge of it since he moved 7 years ago and take care of about 4 acres between my house and the neighbor. Just put a new motor on it this year. Had to replace the impeller about 4 years ago. I don't know how, but one of the kids got a large stick up in the tube and totally trashed it. I'm going to have to replace the bag next year since the zippers are giving out. Assuming Dad paid $800 for it 20 years ago, that's $40 a year invested for raking 4 acres of leaves and pine straw.
Typically, I'll use it 2 - 3 times a season depending on how much it rains. This year, I've had it out for two afternoons. I use the mulch around the blackberries & blueberries.
As for the vacuum hose, we've got one and the discharge hose but I rarely use them. They work fine - I just don't use them that much.
I say go for it. Place your order while they're on sale.