In Trouble w/ wife -- Bee - cus a leaves......

[JackIL]

Paul,

I'm having a bit of trouble understanding your reluctance to mulch the leaves into powder. If you go over them several times in several different directions with just your mower running to top speed, you can grind them into very fine particles. I have several neighbors that do this and they don't have any trouble with the fine particles killing the grass.

This is, by far, the least expensive solution. Given the large volumes of leaves you have, tow-behind sweepers and most tractor-mounted vacuum systems will run you ragged hauling them to the dump pile. Larger powered units such as Trac-Vac, Bluebird, Cyclone Rake, and maybe the new DR commercial duty vac are more in line with what you need to vacuum. These will cost somewhat above $2000 at least.

I suggest you start a savings account to be able to get one next year. For now, just buy some extra cans of Diesel fuel and mow, remow, remow, remow, etc. until there are only sawdust sized particles.

Good Luck.

JackIL

 

[shvl73]

I agree completely. A large amount of leaves will end up as a small amount of ground up particles. I'm having great luck with my Craftsman rider with the mulch plate & Gator blades. First year doing so & I wonder what took me so long do try it. They all but disappear when mowed at the same height as I would for regular mowing. I even do it down the driveway.

 

[bczoom]

I hadn't mentioned it in my previous post, but I'm pretty much in line with what JackIL and shvl73 are doing.

I just keep mowing inwards so the clippings are repeatedly cut. When I get to the end, whatever's left gets picked up with one of those $2-300 tow behind baggers. The volume is significantly less than when started. I put mine in a compost type pile I have but if you're not taking away, being all ground up, the wind can't pick them back up and spread around.

 

[ByronBob]

I'm with Jack. Your options are get them into a big pile in the yard to burn them which won't work while wet or pulverize them multiple times with the mower until they're gone. Makes for good mulch.

 

[beenthere]

Sorry to hear of your woes. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Turn the leaf problem over to the dear wife. See how she solves it. Tell her you have some ideas, but want her to take a crack at the problem first and will go along with her ideas (as long as you don't lose the BH in the interim).

I don't have the problem, fortunately. What goes on outside, I decide. In her sewing room, she decides. Works great. (And I don't have a 'honey-do' list either, which works great too). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bczoom]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I don't have the problem, fortunately. What goes on outside, I decide. In her sewing room, she decides. Works great. (And I don't have a 'honey-do' list either, which works great too). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif )</font>

Huh?? No honey-do list? Don't mean to change the subject at hand but how do you pull that off? Personally, I get pretty scared when I see "her" toolbox open. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[bigpete]

With 1+ acres I'd buy a $200-$400 lawn sweeper if I didn't want to mulch.

 

[beenthere]

When I retired almost 7 years ago, I put together a tool box just for my dear wife (was always getting this thing about not being able to find anything in my shop), and said at the same time "I don't want to see any list of things for me to do". So far so good. There are subtle ways that I find out things that need doing, but ususally I see them too and take care of them when I am ready, on my own time. As I said, so far so good.
I did hear the other day that she wanted the top cut out of a spruce tree that was obstructing her view. I let her know where the tree loppers were, and so far the top is still in the tree (but it's not written down).
I don't know if this will work for another 7 years, but will give it a go and see.
I don't like it much when she hires it(like painting) done, because its not done the way I think it should be. But I don't complain as that wouldn't be fair, would it. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[bczoom]

beenthere,
Got it. Thanks. I can give details/horror stories on this, but again, I don't want to hijack the thread.

 

[BRIGUY]

Dutch445,
The BX23 does come standard with a 3 point hitch, You just remove the back hoe and install it. Takes about 15 minutes.