Lawn / Leaf Vacuum

[C-Range]

I'm shopping for something to either tow behind or mount onto the 3pt hitch on my JD 2305 SCUT. I have 1 acre of grass with trees and slopes to navigate around.

I am eyeing the Brinly-Hardy and Cyclone Rake systems. I like how the Brinly opens up like a clamshell to dump. I don't like how the Cyclone Rake has a rigid towing mount with caster wheels because of my maze of trees but I do like how it collapses down to almost nothing.

I'd really like something that just goes onto the 3pt hitch like the old MCS systems they made for the 300/400 series lawn tractors.

Note that I do already have the powerflow head and 14 bushel bagging system for my 54" mowing deck, but it fills up too fast for my liking.

Any recommendations are appreciated.

 

[IDIJunkie]

I have a cyclone rake for a craftsman lawn tractor and really like it. I've it for almost 2 years and haven't had any problems with it. The only thing I have noticed is that I can't drive sideways on any hills with it, the mower slides sideways. This is where the weight of a compact tractor will help greatly.

 

[redharley]

I really like my Trac-vac system behind my Kubota BX.I use it hard over 1 1/2 acre's of lawn with plenty of oak and hickory tree's.I don't bother much with grass clipping's unless I get a lot of heavy build up mostly Ton's of leave's in the fall.The steel impellar has never left me down even with driveway stones and a lot of accron's rattling thru it. They also make a 3pt setup

 

[oliver28472]

Anybody ever see one made for a rear-mount mower?

 

[J_J]

Do you mean to mount on top the mower? Most rear mower decks are not designed to suck up grass and leaves. You would need a deck with enclosures for the blades, and a wind tunnel type flow, and the outer edge of the deck sort of low to keep everything inside except to eject it out the chute, and high lift blades.

 

[bjr]

I too am in the market for a vac that'll actually work. I own a 30" Dixon ZTR that just plugs the chute tube at the first sign of grass. I'm thinking of a home built unit to go on a pull behind trailer to be pulled by the Dixon mower. I get heavy thatch and need to suck up lawn clippings. I have two quater acre lawns that need to be mowed once a week. Can I get just the vacuum motor assembly so I can make my own trailer system? bjr

 

[missourithunder]

ensoll,
The short answer is yes but you need to get a hold of Harry at BXpanded. He's in the process of producing 3-pt leaf vacs for SCUT tractors with and without rear finish mowers. Follow the link.

MissouriThunder

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/153123-scut-owners-looking-power-take.html

 

[J_J]

I followed that link and did not find any useful data, except he is working on it. Did he ever finish it?

 

[J_J]

I too am in the market for a vac that'll actually work. I own a 30" Dixon ZTR that just plugs the chute tube at the first sign of grass. I'm thinking of a home built unit to go on a pull behind trailer to be pulled by the Dixon mower. I get heavy thatch and need to suck up lawn clippings. I have two quater acre lawns that need to be mowed once a week. Can I get just the vacuum motor assembly so I can make my own trailer system? bjr

I had the Trac-Vac 462Z on the back of my Dixie Chopper, and it did an excellent job, almost to well. It would fill up the 44 gal container in about 10 min.

Yes, you can build one yourself. You will need a 5 to 8 HP engine with 1 in shaft, and the impeller, and housing. and of course the hose and a container. I went through a bunch of motors, due to the dust, etc, and starting and stopping the engine every 10 min. You can find a smooth bore tube for the grass and leaves to travel to the container.

Trac-Vac Product List

 

[missourithunder]

J_J,
Funny you should ask as I spoke to him on the phone during my lunch break. He says they'll be available in 60 days.

MissouriThunder

 

[Suburban B]

My DR 9.0 Premier works well. I bought it used in 2008, and I had no problems last fall dealing with a lot of trees, mostly ash and maple and a few of my neighbor's pine cones. It takes me about 1.5 hours to clear about 1.25 acres of leaf litter. I keep my speed down for a better pick up. Much of the time is the unloading. I would say that if you don't have a strong back, it is probably best with any of these leaf vacs to (1) fill 1/2 - 3/4; (2) unload some before trying to tip the cart; or (3) tip and pull forward a bit. A fully loaded cart with even dry leaves weighs a ton. I have seen that CR is selling a hydraulic lift for what it's worth.

If my grass gets too long in the summer, I cut my grass and then use the DR to suck up any rows of clippings. I stopped using a bagger that needed to be emptied frequently.

 

[CHDinCT]

I have seen that CR is selling a hydraulic lift for what it's worth.

Actually, they now offer two electric lifts with batteries, but they're expensive. I think the smaller unit is about $250. Makes sense for elderly folks or those with bad backs since, as stated, these vac carts can get very heavy, espcially with wet leaves (like I had last weekend).

To the OP, I'm very happy with my Cyclone Rake - on my 6th fall season with it and no issues. I too thought the no jacknife trailer hookup was weird, but you get use to it and the need to "think" before making turns. I have it hooked to my wheel horse at this point, so the overall length is less than what you'd have with a SCUT with 3PH setup.

 

[Maxfli]

I have a PTO powered TRAC-Vac on my JD2210. I really like the fact there is no extra engine to maintain. Bought it used. A fair amount of my mowing is tight around trees so I am not real fond of Dragging the trailer around. Right now I have a 96 galllon garbage can mounted to the back and it works pretty well. Would like to get some kind of Clam shell Hydraulic auto dump mechanism fabricated for it. Something for the future!!.

 

[SOS]

I have an 8.5 DR vac and do about 3 to 4 acres of oak leafs. It works great and is better than baggers on the back of a mower but it does take up a look of room. I recommend it if you have a mowers to pull it.

I'm not sure if it will fit on a side discharger for a pull behind finishing mower by if you call them they will know.

 

[kernal]

I just picked up a used Trac-vac 462, spent last night getting it mounted to the 3pt. Tonite I should have it hooked to the deck and ready to try out. This model has the single garbage can. It may require more trips to dump but it should be better than raking...