Leaf Collection

[KennedyDiesel]

I picked up a JD PowerFlow for my 62C deck along with a MC519 material collection cart. These are used on the X series and the 4xx series JD's. I had a "hitch" frame welded up that attaches to my 3-point - this raises and lowers the MC519 and secures it so it trails my JD 2305.

I bought the powerflow and the MC519 used - works great. Paid ~$200 to have the hitch made including a set of 3-point pins.

Picks up leaves very well, raises the MC519 for dumping, no extra motor to make noise or maintain. And, it's JD green.

Good luck - there are options! I think ProTero makes a unit too. TracVac PTO is nice, but $2500 is a chunk of change.

Scott

I have the Powerflo and MC519 as well. Your setup sounds even better than mine. I love the way this setup chops the leaves, but the hitch on the MC519 leaves a lot to be desired. Also my 519 is starting to rot pretty bad. Once the rust gets started under powercoat...

 

[cast_and_blast]

My brother has one on his X5xx series JD - I know what you mean about the hitch.

Good news is that used MC519's aren't hard to find in nice shape for a few hundred bucks.

Scott

 

[TBDonnelly]

All, any ideas on how to speed the composting?

About a month before leaf season starts I super preheat the compost pile with lots of grass clippings, thoroughly blending them into some existing compost. The clippings starts 'cooking' almost immediately. Now I have a head start when the leaves come down. The leaves come in large volumes so I like to blend/turn them into the pile same day that I pick them up, thoroughly mixing them with the existing compost. I repeat this all through fall leaf season and then turn/flip the pile about every 30 days thereafter.

Don

 

[rjgogo]

About a month before leaf season starts I super preheat the compost pile with lots of grass clippings, thoroughly blending them into some existing compost. The clippings starts 'cooking' almost immediately. Now I have a head start when the leaves come down. The leaves come in large volumes so I like to blend/turn them into the pile same day that I pick them up, thoroughly mixing them with the existing compost. I repeat this all through fall leaf season and then turn/flip the pile about every 30 days thereafter.

Don

Thanks, This even works in the winter?

 

[TBDonnelly]

Thanks, This even works in the winter?

Can't tell where you're located but in Michigan I've turned the compost pile in January and it was still cooking. You can tell it's cooking by the melted snow spots on the pile.

Don

 

[billb3]

I have a DR Commercial Tow-Behind 13.74
Hooked to Husqvarna Rider Mower, though.

Wished I had bought it 30 years ago.
I'll clean up My 2 acres of oak leaves, my neighbor's 1/2 acre of oak leaves and my sister's 2 acres down the street. All in one weekend, all in one day if I start early enough. All chewed up ready to put in the compost or use as mulch. I pile up one huge pile and use it during the year to add to lawn clippings and use some for under fruit trees. I no longer have lawn in the orchard because I have so many chewed leaves to use as mulch.
I use 25 foot rings of fence for compost piles, too.

Would spend October and Novemeber raking up just my own yard and a leaf chewer to chew up the oak leaves and be sore at the end of the day.
No more.

 

[rjgogo]

Can't tell where you're located but in Michigan I've turned the compost pile in January and it was still cooking. You can tell it's cooking by the melted snow spots on the pile.

Don

Changed my profile. North Central IL, in other words, a bit nearer to Chicago then Bloomington.

 

[rjgogo]

BTW, had a chance to work the new Trac Vac and it rocks. Saves us many hours every weekend. In the same time I can mow the yard plus 25% more I can also collect the leaves. May not be for everyone but for us it is a good tool.

Last year consisted of blowing piles into the woods, blowing piles into a tarp to burn and more blowing piles. much easier to vac it all up. still working out what to do with the big pile in the woods. Figure I can wet it and let it mulch over the winter I hope.