Leaf Vacuum

[Syncro]

I'm getting ready to buy a leaf vac attachment for my 18hp riding mower, any suggestions? I tried a search but didn't come up with much. Dr makes one, and so does Cyclone Rake, so far I've not seen any real reviews, but the Cyclone Rake seems to have an edge. Price is less than the Dr too, about $975 for the 6hp model. I have about 1/2 acre thats loaded with BIG trees around the lawn to clean up after each year, not a field, but still a lot of raking by hand. Anybody have hands on exp with the Cyclone Rake? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[mark1]

Years ago when I bought this property,Wife and I spent a week raking and hauling leaves that fall. I went out and got a 5HP "Trac-Vac" model 580 Best investment I've made.The only raking we do now is to pull the leaves out a bit to where I can drive the mower over em, I do a load or two whenever needed.Just like cutting the lawn..Trac-Vac is real similar to cyclone,but has a solid metal trailer, with removable rear cover and it dumps nice. I've seen a few on ebay.I do others yards for 100.00 includes up to 3 loads and 25.00/ load after that. And the best part is now doing leaves is fun! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DmansPadge]

Not sure if you've looked into walk behinds.. but, Snapper makes one that lists for $729 and I'm sure you could get one a bit cheaper than that. It has a 6.5hp B&S and a 25" intake. More work than a pull behind but a bit cheaper. Might be something to think about it you don't have to use it that often.

 

[Syncro]

Thanks for the input. I looked at Trac Vac on line and they seem like a quality machine, priced above CR. Sears carries Agri-Fab whch appears similar to the Trac Vac with a hard storage bin and looks like a better deal than CR. I may get the pull behind Agri-Fab 8hp chipper/shredder/leaf vac $1519. at Sears, plus tax but no shipping.

The walk behind is a good idea too, but for as much leaf pickup we have I really think the stand alone self powered unit will be better.

 

[Bellville]

Frank, I have had a cyclone rake for the last three years and found it to be a well engineered and well built product. It has performed as advertised and I would recommend it to others.

 

[coveredbridge]

Check out this thread for a couple more choices.
leaf vac selections

I'm looking for one also. Been researching for a couple weeks now. If I had to buy today, I would probably go with the DR, mainly because I have one of their wheeled trimmers and am very satisfied with it. but, I also like the cyclone rake, especially the way it stores so compactly.

I don't like the prices on these machines, however, so I've been trying to locate one on ebay. There are a few out there, but none near me, and the prices seem pretty high as well.

Good luck in your search, let us know what you decide to do.

 

[Syncro]

Thanks all for a lot if very useful info. I'm sure all the machines discussed do a good job. For me it kinda came down to price. I also liked the metal trailer type, as used by Trac-Vac, Agri-Fab, etc, though I've heard nothing but good about CR and other soft tops.

The best price I could find absolutely anywhere was at TSC, 5.5 hp Briggs engine, hard top, $997 + tax, and NO shipping. That price was unbeatable anywhere and about $400 cheaper than the same machine at Sears, thats substantial, so I ordered one from TSC. Will have it in a couple weeks at which time I'll let you all know how things went and how it works.

 

[vetteman]

We have a vac from TSC. It works very well but, The leaves and grass has to be dry, Try and always turn left if you are vacuuming ( the hose will plug turning right if material is being vacuumed) It is a little big physically but it does hold a lot of leaves and believe me if you have a large yard it will seem like it is always full. We bought ours 3 years ago from TSC and I think we paid $950 for it . Very good investment, we now have lots of compost.

 

[eaf]

I have the 6hp CR, we purchased 5 years ago. Our front yard is covered with large oak trees, every fall the CR gets a work-out. No problems to speak of, it picks up everything, wet or dry, mulches as advertised.

 

[Syncro]

Thanks vetteman, how big is your riding mower? I wonder if the suction power is related to mower hp. I have an 18hp machine. Also, how does the trailer type hitch work going around trees, and is it easy to dump? I've heard various reports on this. Have you had to make any repairs? thanks

I was also considering the CR, but the price is quite a bit higher. I wonder if there is a major difference in quality or performance.

Has anybody actually tried both machines?