Endless Leaves this year

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The Cyclone Rake has to be in the top 3 of my yard accessories!! But - theres that "but" - you do need a good sized yard to benefit from it. I'm like clueless, down here in NW La the leaf problem is much less, its the pine straw! I have some 125 pines in my 2+ acres of upkeep and until I got the largest Cyclone it was misery trying to get all that straw, and a good many leaves, up was a nightmare. Like wet leaves, the Cyclone doesnt like wet straw, but dry it will get 90-95% of the straw. Straw of course is needle like and the updraft/vacuum has to be strong. One year I decided to keep track of how many loads I hauled and ended with 22 loads of that finely mulched stuffs huge bag filled!! As mentioned, its a bit pricy, but WOW! what a tool, and, it is an extremely well made piece of machinery, with an extremely nice staff when you have the occasional problem. I'm now on my 22nd year with mine and have had to replace the blower fan (picked up a too biga stick) and the canvas bag finally wore out 3 yrs ago. Down here the leaves dont completely get off till the 1st or 2nd week of January and I go ahead and wait til then to start clean up.

[Bar Nuthin 259]

And they store nicely!

 

 

[pfrederi 17,741]

Cyclone rakes now has a single point hitch version  ... I think that would be harder to maneuver.  Once you get used to the fix mount is is easy...(still occasionally whack a tree whist turning..)

 

 

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Once you get used to the fix mount is is easy...(still occasionally whack a tree whist turning..)

 

I agree, In heavy leaf piles/areas it is necessary to reverse several times in order to get them all blown into the bag. Without the mounted hitch this would be a problem. And yeah, I've 'bonked' many a tree or even occasionally - 'ahem'.... others not so good bonks

[Bar Nuthin 259]

37 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

Once you get used to the fix mount is is easy...(still occasionally whack a tree whist turning..)

 

 

[bds1984 1,435]

On 11/24/2024 at 6:37 AM, JCM said:

Didn't think they were going to all come down before the snow started to fly this year.The 420 was pulled into the mix this year. It took 10 outings with 3 tractors and 2 broken rakes to get them under control. The 418-A with 42'' SD did the mulching and blowing them into the woods as well. Glad it's over..The raking does keep the upper body strength in check.

With my couple large oak trees and maple trees, plus my neighbor's leaves finding their way into my yard, I am certainly glad I bought a walk behind blower this year.  My WH never saw leaf duty this year!  It was definitely worth the money spent.