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This year we have been using three people: 2 people with the backpack and 1 person with the walk behind blower. This method works ok but some houses have so many leaves that it still takes us over an hour to do it. When I try to suck the leaves up with the tractor, it either clogs or blows leaves out from under the deck which makes a big mess. What would be the best way to do this? I was thinking of buying another bp blower and hire another person but I need other opinions. Thanks

boston said:

This year we have been using three people: 2 people with the backpack and 1 person with the walk behind blower. This method works ok but some houses have so many leaves that it still takes us over an hour to do it. When I try to suck the leaves up with the tractor, it either clogs or blows leaves out from under the deck which makes a big mess. What would be the best way to do this? I was thinking of buying another bp blower and hire another person but I need other opinions. Thanks

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There are many things you could do. One would be to get a mower made for bagging (a.k.a. a Walker if you have that kind of money). They are excellent baggers. Or you could get another mower that is cheaper than a Walker but is a good bagger. Another would be to get a leaf plow attachment for a mower so after you get the leaves into a pile you can push it very quickly to where you need to put it. Lastly, you could get a blower mount for a ZTR mower so it can go faster. I know these ways are expensive, but other than the way you are doing it, they are probably the only other options. Attached are links to pics:
Leaf Plow for ZTR: http://www.the-mower-shop-inc.com/images/jrco/leaf_blade_demo.jpg
Leaf Plow for lawn tractor (this might be homemade): http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SnJ2NEjOsJQ/SwSBwNT1Q5I/AAAAAAAAAKI/PdVhvwYAd2E/s1600/Leaf+Plow+a.JPG
ZTR-mounted blower: FZ For Your ZTR | Billy Goat Industries, Inc.

Ok thanks i like the lawn tractor plow

boston said:

Ok thanks i like the lawn tractor plow

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Yeah, pretty cool. I thought that would be good for you because that is what you have---a lawn tractor. That way you don't need to buy a separate mower or something.

And they are easy to build:thumbsup:

slammed said:

And they are easy to build:thumbsup:

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Yeah that too!:thumbsup:

How should I build one?

boston said:

How should I build one?

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Well that I have no idea. Maybe get some sheets of metal, weld them together, and somehow attach it?? I am not the person to ask (well actually you didn't ask me, I just felt like answering:laughing.

Well first you will have to build the mount for your mower to hold the leaf plow and where it will go up and down. Then what I would use is some angle iron to make a frame for it. Something about 3 foot center with the sides at least 1 foot each going out at a 45 degree angle so 5 feet total you can make the sides where they move in or out with some hinges. After that I would use some kind of wire like welded wire for live stock and rat wire over it so leaves don't go throw it or (expanded metal a little pricey). And I would also use some rubber on the bottom of the whole thing as to not damage the turf.

The problem is that I don't have a welder though. Can i buy one pre made ?

You could but the problem with buying one is someone would have to make it just for the kind of mower you have. But you could ask your friends if they have a welder you could use or if they would help you make one.

boston said:

The problem is that I don't have a welder though. Can i buy one pre made ?

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Yeah there are a lot of pre-made ones, but I don't know if they would fit on a lawn tractor:
JRCO Leaf Blade™ Plow

http://www.j-thomas.com/Portal.aspx?CN=F35EB450154D

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=leaf+plow

They would with some modifications to how they mount.

I used my Echo PB-255LN to get the leaves off our lawn and into the street....it worked even better than I expected!! I will use that now also along with sucking them up with my mower(s) and using a rake. (Attached is a picture of when I was halfway done.) :smile:


And here is a pic of the pile in front the house:

It may take longer but a good old fashioned rake will always work and requires no fuel. :biggrin:

midnite rider said:

It may take longer but a good old fashioned rake will always work and requires no fuel. :biggrin:

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True, but after a long day working the less effort you have to use the better! :biggrin: