DR Leaf Vacuum The Good, The Bad

[Renegade1LI]

First and foremost this machine has saved hours at leaf and yard cleaning, would buy again in a minute. I did however have some issues that in hindsight could be prevented. I bought the pro 321, dual wheel cart rated for 800lbs. Bought in 22 the cart and cover just made it through 25 seasons cleanup.

The cover eventually just wore out from being blasted, the cart i was surprised developed severe cracking. Ordered new cover and cart, really could make your own alot cheaper. What i think killed the cart was keeping it stored in the latched position and the lift struts keeping pressure on the plastic bottom. The studs are rated to lift a full load, so a good amount of pressure.

Moving forward i will either keep the cart raised or unhook the struts. For the enclosure i coated the inside with flex seal and then zip tie a piece of coroplast against the back side that takes the impact. We'll see if that makes a difference, otherwise it's been a great machine, the impeller still looks good and the oil looks good when i change it.

 

[zendriver]

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[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have one that has been a piece of **** the whole time we've owned it. This season I had to buy overpriced part after part to keep it in service. I wish I would've scrapped it and bought a new unit instead of continuing to fix it, but I was just trying to reduce down time. We will be buying a new one (different manufacturer) before next fall.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I have the same machine and same issues. Had mine since about 2014. I did a coraplast repair through bolted in the blast zone about 6 years ago, still holding fine. When the cart bed cracks become terminal I’m thinking I’ll build a trailer to hold the leaves and mount the engine/blower to the 3 point hitch.

 

[gizardlizard]

I have a Cyclone Rake XL and love it. Never plugs up and folds for storage.

 

[FLHCHAZ]

+1 On the Cyclone Rake!

 

[stillnostrebor]

I also have a Cyclone Rake. It is at least 25 years old. I bought it used 20 years ago. Have worn out 1 impeller and worn through 1 bag, and did a crazy wheel bearing update to the sealed units about 10 years ago. It has roughly 10 million miles on it. Fantastic machine that my wife abuses every fall, but it just keeps working.

 

[Renegade1LI]

I have the same machine and same issues. Had mine since about 2014. I did a coraplast repair through bolted in the blast zone about 6 years ago, still holding fine. When the cart bed cracks become terminal I’m thinking I’ll build a trailer to hold the leaves and mount the engine/blower to the 3 point hitch.

Unfortunately I already bought the cart and enclosure when I realized I could have built a better one. But I think keeping the struts disconnected when not in use will save the cart, maybe.

 

[Johnny Generic]

Cyclone Rake all the way.

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I very seriously considered a cyclone rake. Their concept of rigidly attaching it to the tractor/mower that causes it to swing wide on turns didn’t appeal to me. At the time, forums were full of comments about zipper problems too. Maybe those issues have been addressed with later models.

 

[stillnostrebor]

I very seriously considered a cyclone rake. Their concept of rigidly attaching it to the tractor/mower that causes it to swing wide on turns didn’t appeal to me. At the time, forums were full of comments about zipper problems too. Maybe those issues have been addressed with later models.

The fixed mount remains because it is a feature (imho), but they aggressively addressed the zipper issues. They attack any complaint with upgrades until the complaints fade away. Neat company.

 

[gizardlizard]

Zipper? No zippers on mine. All buckles and velcro

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

First and foremost this machine has saved hours at leaf and yard cleaning, would buy again in a minute. I did however have some issues that in hindsight could be prevented. I bought the pro 321, dual wheel cart rated for 800lbs. Bought in 22 the cart and cover just made it through 25 seasons cleanup.

The cover eventually just wore out from being blasted, the cart i was surprised developed severe cracking. Ordered new cover and cart, really could make your own alot cheaper. What i think killed the cart was keeping it stored in the latched position and the lift struts keeping pressure on the plastic bottom. The studs are rated to lift a full load, so a good amount of pressure.

Moving forward i will either keep the cart raised or unhook the struts. For the enclosure i coated the inside with flex seal and then zip tie a piece of coroplast against the back side that takes the impact. We'll see if that makes a difference, otherwise it's been a great machine, the impeller still looks good and the oil looks good when i change it.

I live in the suburbs, but have several mature White Oak and Red Maple trees, so fall leaf collection is serious chore.

I've been using the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum PREMIER 200 since 2021. It sure helps, but it's not perfect. Considering my small lawn (0.4 acre that requires a lot of maneuvering), its inability to do tighter turns is big downside. But it's still advantageous comparing to the backpack blower.

It does seem like the Cyclone Rake has a better reputation compared to the DR, but I just don't like the way it's (rigidly) attached to the mower.

My DR PREMIER 200 is starting to show its age though. I have duct taped the factory flex hose (8" x 72") a few times, but I'm planning to replace it with polyurethane hose from Wholesale Hoses, more flexible than the factory PVC hose.

And there's also this ripped seam. I still need to repair it, I'm considering sewing a window screen mesh and reinforcing with Shoe Goo or Flex Seal.



I store it in a small shed, always with the 'lid' closed:


It takes just a little wind to yield this kind of accumulation:

 

[35Ford]

In true Garage Forum fashion, I felt I needed a bigger lawn vacuum.

 

[stillnostrebor]

Zipper? No zippers on mine. All buckles and velcro

It's been well over a decade... maybe closer to two, since they had zippers on the bags. My very first bag had them. The zipper deserved its bad reputation!

The replacement bag I bought had buckles and velcro.