Leaf raking tools

[The Evil Twin]

I'm looking for the same answers as the OP. I have a bx-2680 with a 55" grapple, bucket, stump bucket, sod buster plow, 60" center mower. I still have loads of leaves (a couple of acres worth) left over from last fall.
We had raked them into a series of piles. Many of the piles are on a fairly steep grade.

I got some success using the grapple. One advantage of racking them in the fall and letting them sit through the winter is that they have become "lift-able" with the grapple. I can pick up a clump that is about 5 feet high, wet and packed. I pick the pile up and take them over to the compost heap. But I still have a lot of leaves to rake.

I am still looking for a solution for the remainder of the leaves.

I'm my limited experience, the type of leaves can dictate what tool is used. We borrowed a Protero vacuum to try it but it didn't do much for the tiny leaves. We have a ton of Willow Oaks and their slender leaves like to burrow under and in the grass. I had the most success with a backpack blower and rake (for the really matted areas.
Big leaves would be eaten alive by this machine. Just not the little guys.

 

[bird dogger]

AgriMetal PTO leaf blower:


One Pass:


Easy to keep up with leaves when you can hook up and go in just a minute or two whenever there's a fresh batch of leaves on the ground.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

curious.. what's the semicircle of steel on the blower for ? I went to the website and none there look the same....

 

[bird dogger]

curious.. what's the semicircle of steel on the blower for ? I went to the website and none there look the same....

The semi circle of steel is a 180° deflector that can be raised to blow straight to the left of the tractor. If lowered it redirects the airflow to the right side of the tractor.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

thanks

one of life's mysteries solved !!

all the ones I've seen around here just blow one way.....

 

[GreX]

Is there any reason not to use the powered grass catcher? It's not been listed, but I've used a bagging system on my little Ryobi riding mower the last two years to collect leaves, here in New England where we see a lot of leaves, and its done great. I'm just curious, as the tractor I bought came with the GCK60-26BX, and I'm wondering if its an issue to use this for leaves?

 

[someguy9000]

Is there any reason not to use the powered grass catcher? It's not been listed, but I've used a bagging system on my little Ryobi riding mower the last two years to collect leaves, here in New England where we see a lot of leaves, and its done great. I'm just curious, as the tractor I bought came with the GCK60-26BX, and I'm wondering if its an issue to use this for leaves?

it will fill up absurdly fast. You certainly can use that. I would say, it depends on how well the impeller on that handles debris. With me, my "leaves" are sticks and acorns too. I can't mow every week.

The load will be heavy too, so gotta have that front ballast.

 

[GreX]

it will fill up absurdly fast. You certainly can use that. I would say, it depends on how well the impeller on that handles debris. With me, my "leaves" are sticks and acorns too. I can't mow every week.

The load will be heavy too, so gotta have that front ballast.

Makes sense, I mow at least once a week (would do less if I could, but it grows quite well here) and during leaf season, I pre walk the property and pick up any sticks or other debris that wouldn't be easy to collect. I will report back this fall as to weather or not this was an issue.

 

[Dennis.D]

I went to a cyclone rake for my zero turn. I does work really well, but they are expensive new.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I guess one real advantage to our rough winters, I've yet to worry about raking up leaves, winter breaks them right down to nothing!