I think I may have finally solved my fall leaf cleanup challenges. The direct bagging design on this machine is genuinely impressive—it saves my back from constant bending. That said, there’s definitely room for improvement.
I bought the unit secondhand from someone who said they only used it once. It looked brand new when I picked it up, and the previous owner said it just didn’t fit their needs. I have three large maple trees, and fall cleanup is no small task. The reviews on the manufacturer’s site were mixed, which is why I went pre-owned rather than paying full price. I’m glad I did—but I’ve noticed a few issues:
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Plastic wheels
For a leaf vacuum of this size, plastic wheels just don’t cut it. On anything but smooth terrain, they feel flimsy and tend to get stuck. -
Front wheel bracket
The adjustable height bracket that holds the front wheels doesn’t have enough structural support. There’s noticeable toe-in, and the machine doesn’t track straight. I’m worried this will worsen as it ages. -
Loose auger bolt
Within the first few minutes of use, the lag bolt holding the steel auger came loose. I heard a metal-on-metal sound and shut it down immediately. I ended up using JB Weld to secure the bolt to prevent a potential failure. -
Customer service
Good luck getting a quick response. My first email went unanswered, and it took several calls to finally reach someone. The representative seemed more concerned with whether I was the original purchaser than actually helping. Even though I had the original receipt and the unit was still under the two-year warranty, she said it wasn’t transferable. Eventually, she agreed to send me a replacement lag bolt—but it took about a month to arrive.
Overall:
The machine works well for my needs and has made leaf cleanup much easier on my back. But for the price, I expected better build quality and customer support. I should’ve paid more attention to the reviews—but I was hoping I’d get one of the good ones. If you are interested in this product, find a dealer and go for a test drive.
by Vincent_Diesel
7 Comments
I bet your neighbors love you! Nasty. Have you ever considered just leaving them where they fall?
I have always wondered about these things. My old house got about three feet of oak leaves in the fall, bagging them directly would save so much effort
If your property needs leaf vacuuming, that machine looks small.
This is an ad just leave the leaves or run over them with your lawnmower bagging them is such a waste
My neighbor has something similar and it’s hilarious how long it takes him to do his yard.
Billy Goat is much better
It’s expensive way to take food from your lawn’s mouth.