Endless Leaves this year

[pacer 3,177]

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 1,169]

And they store nicely!

 

 

[pfrederi 18,784]

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..)

 

 

[pacer 3,177]

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 1,169]

37 minutes ago, pfrederi said:

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

 

 

[bds1984 1,503]

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.  

[F. Marra 17 84]

Good morning red square

I just scored an older commercial cyclone vac for free in real good shape.  barely used tecumseh 6 started right up. I was wondering if there was something avaiable to connect the dual point hitch thats on the vac to my 414, or do i have to  make something to connect to the transmisson brackets?  any advice, thoughts or ideas appreciated.  If this is posted in the wrong section i apologize. 

[pfrederi 18,784]

1 hour ago, F. Marra 17 said:

Good morning red square

I just scored an older commercial cyclone vac for free in real good shape.  barely used tecumseh 6 started right up. I was wondering if there was something avaiable to connect the dual point hitch thats on the vac to my 414, or do i have to  make something to connect to the transmisson brackets?  any advice, thoughts or ideas appreciated.  If this is posted in the wrong section i apologize. 

Cyclo-vac makes a hitch for Wheel Horses

 

 

[8ntruck 7,981]

My neighbor has a 60" Cub Cadet zero turn mower.  Quite a fast machine.  I was helping him mow a mutual neighbor's yard with Morgan, the 14-8 a while back.  After a couple of loops around the yard, I gave up and started working on another, smaller section of yard with trees - I was just in his way in the large open yard. 

 

A couple years ago, the neighbors was looking for a vacuum system for his zero turn.  He contacted Cyclone several times for information on a vac unit.  Never did receive a reply.  He ended up getting a used MTD unit.  It kept clogging the hose.  He gave up on that after 2 seasons.

 

Would have been ahead to keep pursuing a Cyclone product.  

 

In preparation for this year's onslaught of leaves from our 45 or so oak trees, I treated myself to a new 52" Agra Fab tow behind sweeper.

Edited September 5 by 8ntruck

[F. Marra 17 84]

Thank you for the pictures.  I figured they made somthing. I've heard great things about their customer service, but yesterday the gentlemen I spoke too seemed like he didnt even know what tractor is.  I look forward to using this, as the cleanup bill from my landscaper last year almost gave me heart attack

[pfrederi 18,784]

48 minutes ago, F. Marra 17 said:

Thank you for the pictures.  I figured they made somthing. I've heard great things about their customer service, but yesterday the gentlemen I spoke too seemed like he didnt even know what tractor is.  I look forward to using this, as the cleanup bill from my landscaper last year almost gave me heart attack

 

 

Sorry to hear that ..i got mine a few years ago so i don't know what part number the hitch was.  the lady back then was very helpful... This is their busy season and they probably have some temporary help.

[Wayne0 1,295]

I just mulch 'em up with the Recycler!

[ebinmaine 73,475]

2 hours ago, Wayne0 said:

I just mulch 'em up with the ...

 

 

 

Mackissic chipper shredder 

[Bar Nuthin 1,169]

5 hours ago, 8ntruck said:

He contacted Cyclone several times for information on a vac unit.  Never did receive a reply.

 

That's odd. I've always gotten replies within a day.

[Bar Nuthin 1,169]

11 hours ago, F. Marra 17 said:

Good morning red square

I just scored an older commercial cyclone vac for free in real good shape.  barely used tecumseh 6 started right up. I was wondering if there was something avaiable to connect the dual point hitch thats on the vac to my 414, or do i have to  make something to connect to the transmisson brackets?  any advice, thoughts or ideas appreciated.  If this is posted in the wrong section i apologize. 

 

I made one from some scrap. I also added a 2" receiver.  Probably should have extended out a few more inches for clearance, but it works great.

 

[kpinnc 14,872]

On 11/26/2024 at 4:38 PM, pacer said:

The Cyclone Rake has to be in the top 3 of my yard accessories!!

 

Can't speak for the specific brand, but a tractor-mounted vac system is a great addition if you have alot of leaves for sure. 

 

I built one for my FIL a few years ago, and he loves it. 

 

They are also great if rain puts you behind on mowing and you want to pick up excessive clippings. 

 

Now I gotta build one to clean my son's room... 

 

 

[F. Marra 17 84]

When my father bought the tractornew in the mid late 80's he also bought the PTO driven TRAC VAC.  Unfortuntlay over 30 years i do not have all the parts to make that work again.  I do have the PTO vac, but no hoses, trailer, canopy, belts, etc.  The reason i really need this cyclone vac and what made me pull the trigger on this one is the hand held hose accesory. My yard has multiples levels, retaining walls and landscaping that i cannot drive my tractor over or near.  I am hoping that between my back pack blowe and this cyclone vac  I can cut cleanup time in half.

[pfrederi 18,784]

1 hour ago, F. Marra 17 said:

When my father bought the tractornew in the mid late 80's he also bought the PTO driven TRAC VAC.  Unfortuntlay over 30 years i do not have all the parts to make that work again.  I do have the PTO vac, but no hoses, trailer, canopy, belts, etc.  The reason i really need this cyclone vac and what made me pull the trigger on this one is the hand held hose accesory. My yard has multiples levels, retaining walls and landscaping that i cannot drive my tractor over or near.  I am hoping that between my back pack blowe and this cyclone vac  I can cut cleanup time in half.

  Good Luck with the hand held hose.  I bought one used it twice and hung it up. It is heavy very stiff and hard to use.  Also it is fairly short so you have to keep stopping to move the tractor.  Might work better if you had someone to drive the tractor while you vacuum.

[Lee1977 7,284]

Here is the one I built. With gator blades and the vacuum it pack the leafs so tight I just dump the box. 

[Bar Nuthin 1,169]

On 9/8/2025 at 8:07 AM, pfrederi said:

  Good Luck with the hand held hose.  I bought one used it twice and hung it up. It is heavy very stiff and hard to use.  Also it is fairly short so you have to keep stopping to move the tractor.  Might work better if you had someone to drive the tractor while you vacuum.

My hand held is about 15' long and fairly flexible for a 6" hose.  Even so, it can be cumbersome. I often lay it on the ground and use my blower to push leaves out of hedges, corners, and fence lines - to the open end laying on the ground and watch it suck them up. But if I had it to do over, I probably wouldn't have purchased it.

 

I've also used it (along with an "unloader" hose) to spray leaves from the collection bag into the garden for tilling. Worked better once I had a helper to aim the hose.

 

Edited Tuesday at 05:21 PM by Bar Nuthin