Pull behind leaf vacuum

[ruffdog]

My agrifab starts good as I too have had 2 shoulder surgeries. You don't pull it fast like a chainsaw, you pull slow because the blower fan acts as a big flywheel. You have time to tinker with the choke/throttle as the engine is rolling over. I wish my tiller engine had this flywheel action. For the rest of the year, I store the hose, hose support arm, and chute adapter in the box, drain the gas, run it dry, then park it.

 

[windcatcher]

"I did pick up a chunk of metal one day with the hand hose, I had to do some hammer work and hole repair after that."

I don't mean to laugh, but that sounds like something I'd do. You picked up a chunk of metal? That thing must have some real suction power.

I may have to check into the Agrifab a bit closer. There is a Lowes about 10 miles from me, and I know I can pay about $65.00 to have the unit delivered to my door. That's a big consideration for me.

 

[windcatcher]

Ruffdog, that's very interesting that you should mention a flywheel effect. I've been there with another engine, and it was a breeze to start that engine. I sure wish I had someone close by that had one of these units so I could start it up and see how it feels. Too bad you can just walk up to one at the store and pull on the rope.

 

[texas42]

I've had a CR for 8 years. It's the XL model with 8HP B&S. I cleanup about 3.5 acres with around 80 trees. Mostly pecan. I average around 14 CR loads a year. I use it with a 2320 JD and 60 inch MMM so it's a 3pt hookup. I'm very happy with mine and recommend CR. They also have great customer service.

 

[KennyG]

My CR is a Commercial Pro and has an 8" pickup tube. I think all the models except the very smallest have at least 8" tubes. I have a lot of sticks that get picked up and I usually plug the tube about once a year. I would not recommend getting a unit with less than an 8" vacuum tube.

If you get a CR and have any fabrication tools/skills at all, you may want to build your own 3 point attachment rather than buy theirs. The standard one is designed for small Category 0 machines. It's pretty easy to fab your own from scratch. I had a 3 point trailer mover/drawbar that I used. You can also fabricate a single point drawbar hitch if you prefer a conventional trailer attachment.

 

[oldballs]

If your shoulders/health is really that bad, I'd look for an electric start machine. Of course, then you have to deal with replacement battery now and then. My 10 HP B/S CR model starts quite easily using the pull start.

This year was a puzzle however. It snowed three times early in November. It was time to take the leaf machine off and mount up the snow attachments. So, it is mild now and leaves are all over the place ..............and no snow??%^&*!!

The size of your selection probably depends on the size of your tractor. The CR company makes a good product with good customer service. IMO.

Keep on truckin' windcatcher

Mike

 

[aczlan]

If your shoulders/health is really that bad, I'd look for an electric start machine. Of course, then you have to deal with replacement battery now and then. My 10 HP B/S CR model starts quite easily using the pull start.

Or setup your tow machine with a set of Anderson Power Pole quick disconnects at the rear and skip the battery altogether.

Aaron Z

 

[plowhog]

My CR is a Commercial Pro and has an 8" pickup tube. .I would not recommend getting a unit with less than an 8" vacuum tube.

I have this same unit and it works very well. I have about a dozen 200 year old oak trees near my residence. 125ft high, full of leaves. They are so deep when mowing I've had them push over the hood of the riding mower and into the engine compartment where they tried to catch on fire on the exhaust. A *lot* of leaves.

My lawn is about half acre. Before mowing and vacuuming up the leaves, I use a leaf blower and blow all the surrounding leaves from the driveways and walkways onto the lawn first. During leaf season I can fill the 44 bushel bagger 3 or 4 times with each mowing. Trying to do this with the factory 7 bushel bagger would not work.

My CR usually starts on the first pull. Not hard to start. I bought the 44 bushel bagger and am glad I did. And when it full you can really feel it-- as you lose much steering authority on the front of the mower. I've ingested some gravel off the driveway-- not much-- but it hasn't caused any damage. Very pleased with the CR unit. I think I paid about $1,800.

 

[MossRoad]

Or setup your tow machine with a set of Anderson Power Pole quick disconnects at the rear and skip the battery altogether.

Aaron Z

And put a set of those connectors on your battery charger, too. And all of your vehicles/machines. Works great! :thumbsup:

 

[dalola]

I used to use a pull behind leaf sweeper that worked great for a couple of years. I would dump it all in an area with no trees then mow it down till nothing was left. I now just let the leaves fall and just mulch it with my zero turn where it sits. It has worked out very well and better than collecting them all. :drool::drool::drool::thumbsup:

+1 on this!

The benefits of mulching leaves back into the soil goes much deeper than just ease & time savings.

I prefer Gator blades on an open deck (no mulch kit needed).

I live on 3 acres of sycamores, so this is a must for me, if I'm to have any grass the following spring.