Trac Vac 662 or Cyclone Rake

connor77 · Sep 1, 2011

Trying to decide between a Trac Vac 662 Pro or a Cyclone Rake. Have read much about the CR product but not that much about the Trac Vac. The Trac Vac appeals to me because of the reduced length of the unit compared to the CR product. The CR product comes with a better engine however. I don't want a trailer unit - I don't have the space to store the trailer.

Thoughts?

leonz · Sep 1, 2011

All the Cyclone Rakes fold up to be stored in your garage and you hang the frame that has the swivel wheels on the wall with the bag that makes up the recieving basket, The motor is on its own casters to allow you to store it where you have room.

Its much simpler than the tracvac in my opinion.

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Once you go flail you never go back:thumbsup::licking::drool:

redharley · Sep 1, 2011

I use a trac-vac trailer model behind my BX with excellant results.I to had thought about the CR for some time, the small wheels were a concern for me,but again I have never owned one.I ended up finding a used trac-vac with 8" hose's for about 1/2 price and has been great.Sucks up tons of leaves even when wet grass has never been a problem.get a good size cart or container your bx if it has a 60" mower will fill it.

texas42 · Sep 2, 2011

I have an XL Cyclone Rake I use behind a JD 2320 with 62D MMM. I works great for me and I have about 80 trees I clean up around in the fall.
I bought the dual wheel setup and it floats across the ground and doesn't mark at all even when the ground is damp.
I was hesitant at first about the Cyclone Rake and it's fixed hookup to the tractor, but after using it and thinking it thru, it makes sense as the hose from the motor to the mower remains a shorter fixed lenght, thus increasing efficency and reducing potential to clog.
And as Leonz said it folds up and hangs on the wall when not needed.

josie · Sep 3, 2011

I have the Cyclone Rake Commander model that I purchased last September. I looked at several different collection systems prior to buying the CR. The main reason I went with the CR is the fact tha I can fold it up and hang it on the wall in my garage. I do not have the room to store something that I ony use for cleaning up leaves in the fall. Their customer service is outstanding and it works great!

Baby Grand · Sep 3, 2011

My experience with the Cyclone Rake product and company has been very positive. My MIL bought one for her MTD tractor. My wife contacted the company and bought an adapter for her Craftsman and they both use the same unit, hauling the CR on a car trailer when it's time to swap. Does a great job. Just be careful with the fixed trailer as it wags it's tail wide. On the plus side, you can't jack-knife it when you need to back up.

I have no experience with the Trac-Vac, so I can't say if one is better.

connor77 · Sep 3, 2011

Thanks for the feedback guys. Ordered a CR XL which I'll pick up next week. Thanks again...

JohninCT · Sep 18, 2011

connor77 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. Ordered a CR XL which I'll pick up next week. Thanks again...

You won't be sorry. I got a cyclone rake 2 years ago and picked it up at their factory. Great machine. Great company to deal with. The assembly instructions/owners manual were very professional and includes a small tool kit to aid the assembly.

tonylumps · Oct 22, 2011

This is the first season for the CR and the 1860 . Before I bought the 1860 I was using a 19 HP Craftsman ,But when the CR got about 2/3 full it was controlling the Craftsman> The good part now , Did not feel it behind me at all. The bad part, You forget about the wide swing.

connor77 · Nov 14, 2011

Thanks for the help guys. When my XL is nearly full I can definitely feel it behind my BX2660. This machine has been a huge help mostly at my parent's place where there are much larger established trees. With my Dad's little John Deere he used to have to go up the hill (where we dump the leaves) about 20 times when there was any kind of significant leaf cover. I can vacuum and dump 2 or 3 times and be done in about an hour. So far so good with my purchase. Wish I had bought something like this years ago!