DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum - Assembly and first use. 

You did a really good job here putting it together. I hope you're happy with it for years to come.

Now that's some leaves. Been wanting one of these because I'm disabled with extreme back problems and it just kills me to get out to rake all the leaves up. I just live on an acre and the smallest one they have would be fine for me but just can't afford it. I see now that they work really great. You did an awesome job showing how to put it together.

Just a note to zero turn mower owners. The hydraulic steering motors are not designed to handle the extra weight when the leaf bag starts to fill up and get heavy. Your steering gets sluggish and your front end gets lighter as your casters raise up causing your back steering wheels to struggle and slip. I have a heavy commercial ZT mower and a Cyclone rake. I learned you have to dump the bag at half full instead of max capacity to prevent steering performance issues. A full bag of leaves is well over 200 lbs hanging off the frame behind the motor plus the weight of the motor with components. This model is a single point hitch,cyclones are a 2 point hitch and steer from castor wheels mounted on the frame . Regardless of how it hitches you are still adding a lot weight behind the axle which will effect your steering, ultimately causing wear to your steering pumps

Looks like a great time saver. Thanks for showing how it goes together. I bet you get some amazing compost from all the clippings and leaves.

Delivered a nice even cut, has the super tight turning ability ru-vid.comUgkx1VWTrayKBdCKAjzAcZ_Eg4dhHTae3LkN also recommend I was looking for, and is just a blast to drive. It takes a little bit to get used to driving one after driving a normal tractor style, but once you've got it, you've got it. If you're cutting lines, you have to be careful spinning the mower around or the back tire will dig a bare spot. Just take it nice and slow during the turn and then it's back to full throttle across the yard!

This is a great video. You are a natural teacher. Everyone including DR can benefit from watching the video. Thank you!

Best design yet I've seen so far. I've got an agrifab and this units got it beat on a few things. Great informative video!

Just bought one of these and real glad I found your video. Great step by step instructions.....thanks.

Best video; excellent delivery and well done video. Thanks taking the time to provide a wonderfully informative section on cutting and fitting the deck adapter. I just ordered a PRO-321 to replace my homemade unit that wore-out after 30 years of faithful service. It should be here in a week.

the mulching performance is impressive. I could mulch and bag in one pass. Normally with thick leaves I would makes a mulching pass then attach the bagger to pick it up just to help keep the volume down.

Nice work Pete. That is the best adaptation of a leaf vacuum. An thanks for sharing the video.

Great video! I bought the same one but have a craftsman 26hp lawn tractor and my deck is curved. Up till I saw the video, I was extremely hesitant about mounting the attachment but you did a great job in giving me confidence to do it. BTW, they suggested when I purchased it to buy the extension and now I'm glad I did. Great job on the "how to".

small leaks make a difference, consider putting weatherstripping on the outside of the deck. This help with blowing dust and debrief.

I've been using mine for 3+ years. It's a good machine, and does what it should. The stitching inside the fabric enclosure can eventually get abraded by debris, causing the seams to separate. I caught this early, and covered all the interior stitching with silicone caulk, to protect it from abrasion. The big hose is made of PVC, which is not very durable. Mine lasted for a couple of seasons, with lots of duct tape repairs. I replaced it with a quality Urethane hose from Wynn Environmental (no association). The urethane hose is way more durable, I have not had any problems with it.

After watching you assemble and use the DR, I'm glade I bought the Cyclone Rake.

Good review, thanks for sharing. When I needed hose for my dust collector in the woodshop I got it from a local place that sells HVAC ducting, might want to give one a call.

Another great review Pete! Thank you.

Excellent video . Right on the money . I went through the very same problems and solutions when assembling my vacume . I tow my DR. behind one of my ATVs to access a location on a property where my hoses can't reach . Also I purchased a GOOD pair of ear protectors , one set for me and the other set for any of my workers that are helping me !!!! In addition , purchase HIGH quality dust masks and eye protection for you and your workers . ( a lot of fine particulates coming out of the DR. that can irritate the eyes and lungs ) Trust me , I learned this very fast ! Again , Pete , a job well done on your instructional assembly video . Thanks, B&A .

Good tips, appreciate it . Makes it easier to understand than the paper.

I also purchased the hand hose kit so I can pull it behind either my mower or my UTV to vac-up around bushes etc... the hose is smaller but it does work as long as I’m careful not to get too aggressive which plugs it up. This hose is 12 ft so it is no fun to unplug!

Thank you for taking the time to do this video. It helped me choose to buy the Cyclone Rake instead. I bought it last Friday, it shipped today (out of CT), and will arrive Wednesday to me in Ohio (all US made, one year in home promise - send it back FREE if I don't like it, plus a three year warranty). Six different models available to pick from. It breaks down and folds flat for storage when you won't be using it and can hang on the wall in the garage or shed. According to my FedEx Ground shipping info, 317lbs in 11 cartons - FYI It's all good! We all make different choices - Fords, Chevys, even them funny looking ones... Ya know, them - *Toyotas!* ...

Overtime you will have to replace the big hose and rebuilt the impeller and surrounding metal cause they just ware out. Maybe the back cover as well. I know others that have them. I don't know much about the Cyclone ones. Nice video Pete!

I purchased the top of the line model. I was impressed with the power of the motor and the hose size (8 inch) did a great job. Assembly was was not as difficult as I thought it would be. However the down side, the top kept shifting to one side. In my opinion engineering was bad. I could have rigged it and maybe prevented the problem. Then I thought as much as this cost me I shouldn’t have to make adjustments. Calling DR back to express the problem was disappointing. Now they won’t answer the phone, or they put me on hold for an hour. Finally they hooked me up with a person in the dissatisfaction section. She was very kind and understanding. At first they told me I would have to pay return shipping. I explained I have had this for less than 30 days and I am not satisfied. The gal in the complaint section ask me if I would clean the unit up as best I could and they would send a truck. They cleared the financing and still today send me advertisement for products. The way I was treated by the right department was impressive. I really was impressed by the machine they just need to do something about the top shifting. They didn’t seem interested in my input.

Very good demo and I am not sure that I can do this by myself. I thinking of purchasing one all ready put together.

Best assembly video I have seen to date! i just purchased the Premier, and this was extremely helpful!

Thank you we just bought one today and are having the store assemble it but we have a grass catcher already for our tractor, so the shoot is ready. My wife was trying to get leaves up yesterday and the tube for grass catcher clogged 3 times, what a pain and nothing accomplished, so this is going to be amazing!!!!!

Good assembly video Pete, subscribed.

Great video. Best I have seen on this product.

Awesome video-extremely helpful!! Thank you!

If I may, a few words from Russia. We own a campsite and 2 hectares of oak forest. I enjoy your experience and would like to share mine. 1. To avoid such dusty work, picking foliage through the deck is best done in the fall, when the leaves are still fresh. Then there won't be so much dust from them. 2. Sometimes the air flow of the deck is enough to throw leaves into the hopper. The second motor is not needed. Especially if your mower has a central tunnel in its design. 3. If you have a self-powered hopper, you can collect dry leaves without using a deck. Then you will avoid the formation of dust. The dry foliage is light enough that you can directly collect it in a hose without using a deck and grinding. 4.Another option is to shred (mulch) foliage in the fall without clearing the site. It is quite possible that during the period of autumn and winter rains and snow, the fine fraction will turn into a compost layer and ennoble the soil without visual damage to the landscape. However, there are always many options, and only practice will show which one is best for you and your site. Regards for your work and best wishes!

Well that does it for me and thanks for the heads up. I don't have the time or patience to custom fit the adapter to my John Deere 54" Mower Deck.

What a great Video - Thanks for taking the time to make it - God Bless

Wow what a great review. Thank you.

I am a former employee of a DR dealer. We charged $200 for assembly and test - that included custom fit and mount of the adapter on the customer’s mowing deck.

You didn't show the hardest part. Stretching the cover is almost impossible without help. There is no engineering reason for it to be that tight. I wish I had bought a different brand, it isn't only difficult it is actually dangerous when I used some boards to help stretch it and sometimes it snapped back It still doesn't fit well enough to close the velcro on the back. Some of the hardware didn't fit and I had to get some new hardware to use eg. the link on the cable won't fit over the eyebolt that goes on the front. I haven't used it yet, I still have the nightmare of making the attachment on the mower fit. I regret buying it already. They didn't ship as soon as they said and I now have snow on the ground.

Well explained, thanks Pete.

That tree pollen would kill me. Thanks for the video.

great lawn vacuum, But I really like the AMX in the background in the opening shot!!

Very helpful! I just bought 16 acres and this machine came with the land. Thanks for the video!

I have exact same engine there fantastic, running awesome 👌

Thank you very much quite informative I’m getting ready to purchase one

Thank you for showing that to us. Too bad about the hose though.

Thank you for an excellent and informative video. Excellent detail and functional test. What’d I learn...I’m definitely not getting one, you saved $$$$.

thanks very informative, I have zero turn John Deer very informative thinking about purchasing one

I purchased the Pro for mowing Washington grass. The impeller will seize if the grass is wet and its like concrete to chip out, yearly maintenance is demanded. Also the hose cracked so bad within the first year I ran out of duct tape and form wire. Couldn't get any customer service, sat on the phone three time for over an hour trying to purchase a replacement hose so I gave up and took a youtuber advice and bought one from that other company. better hose and price.

The extra hose kit is $89 on DR fwiw. It should have been told to you to buy when they asked you what mower you had. Protip: If thinking of buying call the number and buy over the phone so they can help you get the right parts to fit your lawn tractor. This is one item you don't want to order spec...just saying.

awesome video sir.love that kubota

Excellent video Was going to ask about left turn concerning hose length and tire rub. I wonder why they don’t include a hard plastic 90 degree elbow off the blower housing? Looks like you have a similar mix of hardwood leaves, pine needles and Sandy soil with gravel in the driveway and maybe road shoulders. My mower deck has all the paint sandblasted off from the pine needles, sand and occasional gravel. Glad to see the blower housing has some metal plates in it. Will that plastic deck collector chute, plastic hose and plastic impeller housing hold up long term?

Should of got a Cyclone Rake.... Trailer has caster type wheels Two mounts points one to left n one to right of the mower So the hose NEVER kinks with left or right turns

Nice,I'm looking at one myself and also have a Kubota zero good job.

Nice AMX had the same 1970 Burnt Orange.

Looks like something Agri Fab would build. I'll stay with my Trac Vac.

Man thats going to really expedite the mulching process if you add it to your pile.... plus you get bonus time on equipment when the grass isn't growing. :)

When I get the cash, the mulch used for the garden would pay back the expense in a couple years with fantastic soil for the garden. I would leave it on all the time to put the lawn to use to add that valuable mulch! I wonder if this unit could handle 2 x per month for 6 months per year?

Nice video, well done. Thanks for posting.

Great video! thanks for the info. Have you ever seen someone connect it to a lawn mower with a round deck chute area?

Same product at fleet farm onsale $850

The hose on mine spits every time I use it. First one end then the other. If I only go straight to no more than maybe 10 deg to the left or 20 deg to the right all is well. So! I recommend using just the mower plus a rake to move the leaves out away from things so a straight pass will pick them up! Also it takes sharp blades to cut up the pine needles so they won’t plug the hose!

Thank you for doing this! Awesome instruction video in real time. I have a 61 inch deck, zero turn and I think I need the $2100 model + deck attachment +extended hose, and I'm not sure I can live with paying a company this much to put the whole damn machine together and they can't even deliver for free?

Yes I got one last year and the first thing was the tube tore open and I called the company and they sent a longer one to me. 10/16/2017

You could make a nice pallet bench out of the pallet it came on. I can also say I got great customer service from Cyclone rake when my impeller broke ,sent me a new one with out question & no charge or any kind for doing so.

Thank you for a fantastic instructional video... step by step!!! Would you recommend the auto start? Thanks again!!

Great video

Are you cutting with high lift blades , or gator blades, or what kind of blades ? Thanks ! Great video !

I need to vac up 1000's of walnuts. Does this unit have sufficient suction to pull them in, and then is the impeller strong enough to withstand the beating without breaking?

I don't understand about the longer hose part. Even if you could turn more to the left the hose is going to rub on the tire?

It’s a great vacuum when it works! But you may spend a lot of time fixing the problems. Tubing and adjusting the connections assembly is a real pain in the neck to the extent that I am question the validity of using it. Its a problem at the beginning because the tube is too short. Then a problem if you add extension. Then it starts tearing up and you have to patching it😢😅. It’s endless pain. I think the best solution is to add extension(2 f) and weld another metal hunger at 45 degree to the horizontal arm of the original metal hunger and have another plastic bungee suspensor to support the tubing including the extension. Let me know if you have another idea, please

very good video. been looking at the Lawn vacs, this sold me on this one. I have a DR field and Brush mower, so I know the brand. I'll get the 14 ft hose attachment and handle kit to get in the flower beds. What was the typical run time on the engine before filling with gas again, or how long did full tank last?

You can see why the materials say the hose extension is needed for zero turns, I wish it was not an extension, but a longer hose option.

A ridged 90 degree elbow at the blower with the 6' of flex tube straight might work better. Bert

Video well done, it helped me do the assembly much quicker.

wow when that finally dumped!

Great video - thanks for sharing Have you used this collector without the lawnmower blades activated? Wondering If the engine from the collector is enough to collect the leaves-

Its a nice video you made on assembling this dr. as this is their downgraded lawn and leaf vacuum they now make. unlike the previous premier, pro, and pro xl they had hard shell collectors and centrifigual seperator on top. as it had the caster option for zero turn mowers. as i have a cyclone rake instead all american made. at the time was looking at the older dr lawn and leaf vacuums. as the cyclone rake i selected better performance and more easier to store as it breaks down for storage easilly. so dr now has downgraded the lawn and leaf vacuum not sure if they did on other product lines they make like log splitters and the field and brush mowers.

Could you have cut the tongue of trailer 4 inches to make up for purchasing a larger hose??

Any reason you went with DR instead of a different brand?

How is this unit holding up now after 4+ years?

Nice Rig, but I didn't hear mention if You Greased Your wheel bearings

Пыль зверская, но очень полезный комплект. Интересно посмотреть как он всасывает влажную траву и листву, чтобы меньше пыли было.

Looks like a good system, but I don't like how dirty he got when emptying it, and I don't think i am strong enough to lift a trailer to empty the load.

Hello great video but i have a question how to do you keep grass from building up in the Chute

How well has it held up after 3 years? I’ve heard the seems split on the cover and the main shoot from the vacuum to the cover cracks due to sticks and nuts

Pete - very well done video. I'm trying to decide between the Cylcone Rake and the DR. How do you like the build quality of the DR? Also, where do you keep it stored? Thanks. Mark S.

Foot you need 4' hose extra for left turn

Thanks for the video ... how is the quality over time ... and from Fargo the movie ... so that is your fluffy back in the chipper ... eh?

NICE WORK KEEP MAKING VIDEOS

We have one Exactly like it at work. As you’ve probably figured out you need an extension for the hose due to the hose popping off. It’s a shame you pay 1700$ and the hose is too short from the factory and when it’s full it hits you in the back of the neck. I would enjoy a video on your AMX

Pete: How about an update on your DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum?

You turn left it the hose don't rub on the right tire I'd be afraid of rubbing a hole in it I'm looking

I bought the DR pull behind lawn sweeper two seasons ago believing in their 'quality'. Actually I used it only a season and a half since I bought it late. Well, I started noticing the brush not spinning at times. Long story short, it just didn't sweep up any longer. I greased it after fully checking it out and still no luck. Everything looked pristine. Brought it to the DR dealer and after 5 months they called to tell me the parts are all worn and DR no longer has parts to replace. All worn on a modest lawn in less than two seasons!!! Now I'm stuck with a $350 piece of junk I won't even get scrap prices for. So much for DR 'quality'. I won't even consider investing the price on this item.

Yup those hoses are expensive try air conditioner hose of LG potable unit there same Size 6" but not clear color there light baige in color and good part they flex on turns like accordion.

Still like your DR leaf valcuum

Would be nice if he would put antiseze on axles or grease to they won't rust up in turning area, mmm

Hello from germany, i have see your very good video and the dr lawn and leafe vacuum is good. So sorry my question: How much cost this?? Sorry my english is not so good. With the best regards from germany.

Do you have to engage the mower blades while using this or is the suction from trailer motor enough?

Does the bigger model come with a longer hose? Same boat zero turn 60"

Cyclone is the best for tight lawns.

good video

Nice assembly. But your jack stands is still in the down position.

I am assuming you have the PTO engaged and are running the lawnmower blades as well? Am I correct?