Hi Jim - This still ranks as one of the best homeowner videos on the product. Thanks for putting it out there and doing such a good overview of the XL unit.
CycloneRake thanks! Still going strong 8 years later! Could use a new collector bag, do you guys sell those separately? And maybe you could get me a good deal!!! Happy to do the vid, it's a great product, I got my neighbor to buy one last year. He loves it.
Great video, Jim! I watched it hoping to find some instruction on the assembly process, but got a wealth of info as to the operation of the unit. Thanks!
Great video! I've had my Cyclone Rake Commercial Pro for 11 years now and it has saved me a lot of time and work. I love your mentioning not to go on a slanted surface with a full load, I learned the hard way. I've replaced a few parts over the years, but the engine is reliable and starts right up every year. The vacuum attachment make easy work of garden beds and places I can't drive the tractor. I would definitely recommend this product.
I've had one since 1999, I know its one of the best things I ever bought, Does a good job. The Company anytime I ever called them on something , Couldn't ask them to be any better was my experience with them. I found mulching blades on the mower will help you a lot also Jim. You do a really good review of it here too, I will say.
This Product Works Perfectly.....we lived on an tree-lined E-W street...at the east end (cal-de-sac) ...Leaves would fall, folks would sweep them to the street and the wind carried them into our yard....a major pain until the Cyclone Rake saved our weekends...
Great Video Jim. Very helpful. I have been on the fence between DR and Trac Vac, but this unit seems much better made, especially at the attachment points for the hoses. Plus I really like being able to break it down for storage. I did see a video of someone who said the impellers bond to the center bushing melts ands eventually fails. As anyone had this problem?
I've had my Cyclone Rake since 1999, Its the Basic model 5hp Tec. For sure one of the best things I have ever bought!! And still have it and use it! Wouldn't live here where I live with out it.....
My 3-acre property is surrounded by heavy woods, so we have a lot of leaves in the fall. That is what prompted me to invest in the Cyclone Rake XL early last summer. Absolutely a great investment! The previous fall (we moved into this home two seasons ago) I used my father-n-law's leaf sweeper behind my rider. It certainly beat hand raking, but was still not sufficient and still seemed like a chore. Plus it didn't pick up the leaves real good. Making just two passes I would have to empty it. Backing up to empty was tricky and took some getting used to because it would easily jack knife. The Cyclone Rake solved all of that and then some!! Like stated, I have the XL unit with heavy duty hose. The same unit shown in this video. I pull it behind a John Deere X590 rider. I use the Cyclone rake all through the summer as a "bagger" for grass clippings when mowing my grass. It works real good in that role too but the grass cannot be too moist or it will easily clog the hose. It clogged up on me just one time, but was my fault because I started mowing before letting the grass fully dry after a light rain. The vacuum hose attachment for manually vacuuming leaves is a must and highly recommended by this guy. That is one of the best parts of this machine. I use it all around my house to vacuum leaves that collect in nooks and crevices. Makes quick and easy work of it. I also use it to vacuum up all the leaves that collect in the stones that line the shore of our pond. Works fabulous. The Cyclone XL uses the Vanguard Briggs and Stratton engine. I'm not a huge fan of Briggs engines, but their Vanguard line of engines are awesome. Set the choke, open the throttle a bit, and one pull it starts every time, even when cold. I'd take a Briggs Vanguard over a Honda, and that's saying something because I'm a huge fan of Honda small engines. Cyclone Rake is a great machine. I highly recommend one for anyone considering it.
Thanks so much for your response. You've been a huge help. It's really great to get the opinion of a satisfied customer ... to affirm the sales pitch we see on the DVD. I hope to place our order this week. One more thing ... what's your opinion on upgrading the hose, liner, and the dual wheels? I definitely want the jack ... but wasn't sure about the other upgrade options. If' we're going to invest in this thing, we might as well go all the way.
Jim , on the hitch plate I used 5/8 's Hillmen harder steel bolts and large washers , I had the others pull through on another vac. Also On the attaching the deck adapter To get to fit snug I used the u bracket ,between deck and plate of deck adapter hose this is on the JD L-120 btw way this is on the JD 48 inch deck. Also those double tires will work better if you inflate them as they have little air when shipped least mine did.
Hi jrg 1948, my 11 year old daughter can pull start this thing. If there's 2 engines I believe in, it's Honda, and Briggs and Stratton. After an entire winter season goes by and the engine is stone cold, it still starts with one pull, every time. it's easily managed as long as you don't over pack the collector unit, get a feel for how long it takes to fill it up to a weight you can handle for emptying it. Good luck with it. still highly recommend it after two seasons of using it all the time!
This video has been very helpful. We are on the verge of purchasing a Cyclone Rake "Commander" to replace a Trac Vac that I was not able to handle. My husband has become handicapped and confined to a wheelchair, so now the job of getting our acre of leaves raked up has become mine. I am concerned about being able to manage the Cyclone Rake; but hopefully with the help of our grown sons with assembling it, I should be able to get the job done. Can a gal easily pull-start the engine?
I have 3 + acres to take care of... now doing leaves... is well..... fun!!!! I am not paid by cyclone rake (woodland products) from West Haven CT for this post.. The product speaks for itself... You get what you pay for.. and I have to say, this is the best $2100 (with tax) I have ever spent.(XL MODEL with the starter kit upgrade) 12 month 100% return policy and a 3 year warranty... Its well worth it. People sell these things on craigslist for 75% of the original cost 8 years later!!!!!! Just buy it new, your better off!!!!
I've seen this video at least 3 times, about to pull the trigger on this. Tired of blisters from days of raking just to start over again with 11 Sycamore's dumping huge leaves throughout fall killing my fescue.
Hi Jim and guys did you see the lift master power lifts especially for the XL ! Jim maybe if you get one you can do a You video on that? No video camera here .. just leaves building up.;-) TY JD
I have seen many product reviews on youtube, but I have never seen one with as much detail as this. The way everything is worded and the camera angles/ transitions I am suspect to think this is a 'fake' review made by the company to pass as an 'everyday' 'honest joe' review. Either way great review great product I'm buying one this spring.
whats up Mr. BAchomp.... No this is not done by the company, they actually called me a year after I put it out and asked me for some of the footage, I never ended up sending anything to them. I just set up my cam on a tripod and filmed it, narrated later. I have a little production experience. Did not do it for them though. I still have the machine, all I have replaced is the air filter. In fact I had to buy a new lawn mower cause that shit the bed before this did. Still using it! I should be collecting $$$ from these dudes for sales.
Thanks~! *20th Anniversary Edition is out for sale now* and I am drooling... Think it would be sweet with my 2016 JD x590, I just want to know how well it will handle a full load of spring grass in it? Is it too much of a load for the unit?
Peter Crockett just saw this pop up, I have Husqvarna 22V46, much less of a machine and it hauls even a full load of wet grass and leaves., make sure you get the double wheels though, makes a huge difference. Good luck! Great company, Woodland Products! They sent me a new collector bag for making this video. I’m still using the cyclone rake, going strong 6 years later!
I love my cyclon rake however I couldn't stand that it doesn't pivot like a trailer so I converted mine so it can pivot the solid hitch is alot of strain on your riding mower with the collector full not so with mine since I converted it to pivot
Melinda Frandsen you can set the vacuum to different suction levels on the motor, it will only pick up light leaves on top of heavier stone, it's just scary with the blades going on the mower, but if you already go over it and it doesn't throw the stones everywhere, yeah set the suction on a lower setting til its good.
The cyclone rake offers a 12 month no risk warranty. Don' like it? Return it for a full refund including shipping. The hard plastic on the dr can crack if you hit a tree or other obstacle. You might be able to tear the cyclone rake, but it would not be easy. It will not rot or mildew if you are smart enough to empty it before storing it. The dr units are way more expensive, and come with a 2yr. warranty. Cyclone Rake gives you a 3 year warranty.
Got one of these in 2012. Not great. Just OK, at best. Pain in the rear, when it comes to dumping it. Wish I had waited, and gotten a DR. Much better product, easier to use, and less expensive.
This company sucks. During the two years that I have worked there I have seen countless people get screwed over. The product might be good but place became a nightmare to work ever since they hired a child abuser.
