The Cyclone Rake XL
Written: Nov 23 '08 (Updated Nov 09 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Cleans up the leaves very quickley.
Cons: Sometimes it is hard to steer when the rake is loaded with leaves.
The Bottom Line: If you have lots of leaves - I would buy this and save a lot of time.
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| woodyh5513's Full Review: Cyclone Rake |
I have 4 acres of wooded land with about 2 acres cleared with grass. Every leaf in the State of NJ finds it way to my yard! It literally can be knee deep in sections if I do not keep up on the leaf removal. I have an large arsenal of tools to use - lawn sweeper, chipper/shredder, backpack blower, hand blower, tarps, large rakes. Took me everyweekend in Nov and Dec to clean the yard. Had to be a better way.
Then I happened onto a infomercial about the Cyclone Rake on YouTube. I did not believe it - looked great. So I went to the website cyclonerake.com and ordered the info kit. Took me 2 months to build the courage up and show my wife ( large purchase price), she looked at it and said looks great! So then I called up to order - first time you DO need the model number of the tractor you own. Don't waste your time without it. Lady was nice and very informative. She went over the options and told me what to expect with the whole ordering process. I hung up untill I could get the model number.
I waited another week - had second thoughts. Then I said what the heck - called on a Wednesday. Second time got a different saleslady. She was thorough and offered me some advice. I was stuck between the XL and the Commercial Pro. As she stated - only $150 ish differece between the two because I wanted the upgraded hose. So I got the XL. It is a decision that I am glad I made.
I was a little worried about delivery of the unit - had not good experience when it is a freight company. I was assured that it would be easy and straight forward. IT WAS. Company called me 3 days later, and set up a date. I said I could not wait all day. She said no problem - we will call one hour before - that way I could leave work and meet the driver. Well on the day of delivery - to her word, the local office contacted me. Luckily, the office is only 5 minutes down the street where I worked so the driver said he could leave and meet me at my house. When I arrived, the driver had the 5 packages ready to be loaded into my garage. Very professional and was a great experience.
I then built the unit. Spend some time reading the book and look over the dvd they provide. You need a drill and some common sense. They really do give you almost all the tools you need to put the units together. The hardest part is drilling into your tractor. The actual drilling is not hard, its finding out the perfect spot. You also have to remove your grass deflector shoot. Should not be hard but my bolts were stripped- took me 1 hour to get the one bolt off. There is a optional MDA (mower deck assembly) that you can buy for $79.00. GET it. It fits like a glove on my tractor. I don't like the generic boot that I would of had to use if I didn't get it. Other that that, I only screwed up once putting the dumpster together, took me 2 nights to put together the whole unit. The engine needs oil before you run it - it is well marked.
When it came to its first run - it started on the first pull. LOUD. Need ear protection. Worked like a champ. After figuring out how much leaves it could hold, it worked out great. Then I got the hang of dumping the cart - and it was great.
What took me two months of work - took me 5 hours today. And that was with a few interruptions. I have noticed the following after my first day of use-
I only got the standard wheels - I wish I got the upgraded double wheels. I see why you can use them.
The hose kit I bought is heavy. 16 feet is not long enough and I wish I got the 32 foot kit.
In summary - I love my Cyclone Rake. I would recommend it to everyone.
UPDATED - 11/09/09
Still love the Cyclone Rake. I did upgrade to the double wheels. I called up and stated that I wished I got the double wheels - and they let me upgrade for just the $99.00.
Forget the hose kit - just use your leaf blower to blow the leaves into the main grass area. The hose is too heavy and short and expensive.
Order the wheel kit that lets you move the whole unit all set up. It is HEAVY to move around and to hook up with the tractor without it. I have hurt my back lifting it and I like the wheel option.
One more thing - I got the biggest unit. This I do not regret. I have a large lot and the large unit fills up fast - hate to see what the smaller units fit.
Warning about the weight of leaves: I have a Sears Tractor with a 21 HP engine - manual transmission. I had the transmission blow up - gear popped out and shot through the bottom of the pan of the transmission. My unit still ran though for a while. If I would have know I was getting the Leaf Cyclone - I would of gotten a garden tractor instead with a heaver transmission.
It took 2 months to get fixed - I was lucky - under warranty by 3 DAYS. Sears repair - another subject. Just hopes the transmission holds - keep it in low gears - stop completely - and don't push it with just the one wheel option. The double wheels make it a lot easier to pull and push.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
woodyh5513
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Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 0 members
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