Pulled the trigger on a Cyclone rake

[TBDonnelly]

The clamps holding the output chute to the trailer busted & I replaced them with sheet metal screws, so I can't even "dump" it anymore.

With the slow emptying I'm not sure I'm saving any time vs. using the leaf blower & tarps.

My trac-vac is over 20 years old now and the clamps holding the output chute have given out also. I have seen them on the McMaster-Carr website. I fabbed up a plywood 'slide-out' that rests in the bottom of the trailer with a rope that hooks to the inside of the back door(on a hook I installed). I can hook the rope to a tree and drive forward or hook the rope to the tractor and pull the 'slide' out. It sure beats rakeing them out.

Bluebird has a clamshell design that appears to be the 'cats meow' for dumping.

Welcome to www.bluebirdintl.com


Don

 

[hazmat]

My trac-vac is over 20 years old now and the clamps holding the output chute have given out also. I have seen them on the McMaster-Carr website. I fabbed up a plywood 'slide-out' that rests in the bottom of the trailer with a rope that hooks to the inside of the back door(on a hook I installed). I can hook the rope to a tree and drive forward or hook the rope to the tractor and pull the 'slide' out. It sure beats rakeing them out.

Bluebird has a clamshell design that appears to be the 'cats meow' for dumping.

Welcome to www.bluebirdintl.com


Don

Tell me more about this "slide out". Is it just flat across the bottom, or did you put a lip on the front (tractor side).

 

[TBDonnelly]

Tell me more about this "slide out". Is it just flat across the bottom, or did you put a lip on the front (tractor side).

Yes, the 'tractor end' has a 'back', about 12" high, with 2x4 angle braces mounted to the floor of the slideout. The floor is plywood with fir-ing strip runners mounted on the bottom side. The leaves come out in a 'cube'. I'm planning the final leave pick up later today. I'll try to get a few pictures to post...

Don

 

[hazmat]

Yes, the 'tractor end' has a 'back', about 12" high, with 2x4 angle braces mounted to the floor of the slideout. The floor is plywood with fir-ing strip runners mounted on the bottom side. The leaves come out in a 'cube'. I'm planning the final leave pick up later today. I'll try to get a few pictures to post...

Don

Thanks - I'd love a picture - I might have to rig something up for the weekend (they are predicting snow on Sunday, I'm trying to get the rest of the leaves up b4 then).

 

[TBDonnelly]

Thanks - I'd love a picture - I might have to rig something up for the weekend (they are predicting snow on Sunday, I'm trying to get the rest of the leaves up b4 then).

Pictures are here. I call this thinking "inside the box". Last two pictures are "compost at work".

BTW, When my clamps gave away on the output chute there was a broken weld on the trailer frame allowing the trailer to rock from side to side causing excessive stress on the clamps.

Hazmat wrote: The other problem is that when you dump it, the leaves don't come out w/o having at it with the pitch fork.

Put the pitch fork back in the shed. A metal landscape rake works much better for 'pulling' out leaves from the trailer(with or without a slide-out).

Don

 

[SkunkWerX]

I tried to purchase the Cyclone impeller and housing to build my own system, and they refused to sell to me. I guess they thought I would build a better system than theirs. I wanted to build a system for loading into a pick-up truck with enclosed back. I was disappointed in their attitude. Parts is parts and business is business. Did you order you housing direct?

JJ, apologies for the late response. I missed your question. forgive me.

I lucked out and caught them being surplussed by an equipment wholesaler, new, never used. They had some various HPs and housing sizes. I would have still been over-powered even with the 8HP model.
I can tell you the 10 HP model I received would load a truck, no problem.


I'll bet they were concerned you were the competition!!


TB Donnely, wow, great idea!! I think I may have to borrow that page of your playbook.
I do find that dumping when 3/4 full is much much easier.

.

 

[TBDonnelly]

TB Donnely, wow, great idea!! I think I may have to borrow that page of your playbook.
I do find that dumping when 3/4 full is much much easier.

Thank you. Your welcome to use the idea! From repetitive use, I have a feel when the trailer is close to full and usually I'm pretty close. Every once in a while the trailer overfills and clogs the hoses, it's usually when I'm close to finished and trying to squeeze the last bit in.

Don

 

[hazmat]

Thanks for the pix Don. I'll probably stop at the Depot for a 1/2 sheet of exterior ply on the way home...

 

[TBDonnelly]

Thanks for the pix Don. I'll probably stop at the Depot for a 1/2 sheet of exterior ply on the way home...

Hey, You're welcome!

Does your trailer have the taper, where it's wider at the back end?

Does your trailer have the 'slots' for a rear tailgate? My slots don't go all the way to the floor and my slide-out is just wide enough to slide underneath the slots(see pic number 1546). If the slide-out angles a tad on the way out it can get hooked under the slots. To tweak the design I need to place a couple guide strips at the base of the inside walls. If you have the tapered trailer, your slide-out will naturally come away from the walls as you draw it out.

Don

 

[bill333]

Hey, You're welcome!

Does your trailer have the taper, where it's wider at the back end?

Does your trailer have the 'slots' for a rear tailgate? My slots don't go all the way to the floor and my slide-out is just wide enough to slide underneath the slots(see pic number 1546). If the slide-out angles a tad on the way out it can get hooked under the slots. To tweak the design I need to place a couple guide strips at the base of the inside walls. If you have the tapered trailer, your slide-out will naturally come away from the walls as you draw it out.

Don

This is so creative -- and simple --I'm mad at myself for not thinking about it, but i'm glad you did! I"m going to steal your idea too -- I have a larger trailer i built sides on just for leaves, but it is also a pain to dump, even with a jack. takes 2 people. I'm thinking i can do something similar to what you did.
great work! and thanks for great pics.