Billygoat Tkd512sp

[metro12]

This would be my first lawn vacuum purchase. I mostly clean 1-2 acre lots so I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. Does anyone have any personnel experience with this model? I prefer more simple designs. This unit looks tough.
Are there any links to independent reviews ? How is the chipper feature. Can i chip small limbs all day or is this just a part time feature?

Thank You,

Rob

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

Rob,

I think I'd be considered biased but I can answer some of your questions. First of all what are you trying to pick up? One to two acres can be a whole lot of leaves in certain necks of the woods.

As for chipping, it's a two inch intake. It can handle them for most folks with no problem. It's designed to handle the twigs and small braches you'd find while vacuuming a yard and a little more. I've used it while cutting back Crepe Myrtles as well as many demos. If you've got more chipping to do than this a dedicated chipper may be in order.

Ask your dealer for a demonstration. If he doesn't have a demonstration unit his Distributor does.

Let me know when you get a chance or if you have any other questions I can answer for you.

[metro12]

Drew,

Good evening. It would be mostly leaves, I pruned the trees so the branches will be minimal. I plan on vacuuming frequently in the fall so the leaves won't build up. I have a small chipper as well but its a nice feature to have in the vacuum so i don't have to lug the chipper along. Is there anyone you can recommend in CT to demonstrate, I tried Knights but they do not stock your product lines, it has to be ordered? Your company's reputation is outstanding so if this model is sufficient for 1-2 acres , I trust your opinion.

Thank You,

Rob

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

Rob,

Honestly, the 1 to 2 acre lots has me a little hesitant. That's a lot of turf to cover in 28 inch swaths. It's not that the product can't handle it. It's that you may end up spending so much time covering that amount of ground and emptying the bag that as a commercial cutter it may be unprofitable. For smaller lawns, (1/2 acre) this can be operated more efficiently.

Have you considered a wheeled blower and truckloader combination? Yea, it's more expensive but it saves a whole lot of time versus a walk a behind vacuum for large lawns. Obviously, bid the job accordingly.

I'm in the process of finding a you a local dealer that sells Billy Goat.

[metro12]

Drew,

Good evening. I have an echo backpack blower that has been working wonders. A lot of the property is very hilly and dense with trees so a wheeled blower won't even get in there. My plan was to blow the leaves on to the flat surface and suck it up with the billy goat. I don't mind emptying the bag frequently, it beats manually bagging it. Please forward recommended dealers in CT once you research.

Thank You,

Rob

[mcwlandscaping]

I had i think that exact same model......do yourself a favor and buy a WB blower and a BP blower.

That is for the homeowner who can keep up with their leaves on a daily or every other day basis.

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

After reviewing local dealers for you. Knights actually sells Billy Goat products. They've got a QB554HC blower as well as 2 FORCE blowers one the floor. The other dealers you can go to is Mid States Tractor in Middletown CT., 860-347-2531, ask for Braz. If neither have one for demo have them set something up with their Distributor to get a distributor demo in for you.

Let me know if you have any other questions or problems. Thanks!

[fiveoboy01]

IMO, from everything I've read on here, the "lawn vacuums" don't work very well. You'd be better off using blowers to get the leaves to a central location where you can collect them. Or put a bagging system on a mower and go that route.

Mr. Force, any new word on those truckloaders that suck up phone books and chickens:) I don't see anything on BG's website yet...

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

Mr. Force, any new word on those truckloaders that suck up phone books and chickens:) I don't see anything on BG's website yet...

I don't know anything about what you're talking about.:rolleyes: Seriously, the DL will get on the BIlly Goat website in a couple of months. There are currently a couple units in the field getting some testing. Do you have any questions about the DL?

[fiveoboy01]

haha.

No biggie, I think I mistakenly thought it was already out. I'm patient, I can wait... No point in asking questions if it's not available for sale yet:)

[metro12]

Drew,

Purchased the TKD from Knights 2 weeks ago. They finally located one from a remote distributor since your company isn't producing them at this time. The plan is to vacuum weekly thus I won't overwhelm the machine. They have had happy customers with this model. Is this model axed? I'm concerned about parts in the future.

Thanks

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

For starters, thank you for buying a Billy Goat. Yes we have ceased production of the TKD512SP and KD512SP. It is because the engine (B&S with a PTO) that is used on it is no longer in production as it does not pass EPA/CARB.

However, you'll be able to get Billy Goat parts for that unit with no trouble for many years. We have many happy TKDSP & KDSP customers and we don't need them unhappy because we got rid of the parts. Normally we hold onto parts for 10 to 15 years depending on volume. Some of the parts we still sell are for units that are over 35 years old.

Let me know if you have any other questions I can answer for you.

[metro12]

Knights is delivering it tomorrow morning. Got a whole bunch of leaves already on the ground. I will let you know how it goes but have no doubt that this will save me a ton of work.

[metro12]

Drew,

It did an excellent job. The chipper is also quite good. What I realized during the 1/2 acre run is that you really need more than 1 bag. The bag fills up quite fast. The removal and dumping is very easy and I don't understand the complaints about the zipper design. Simplicity = reliability. The hose kit's suction is actually stronger then the machine. It picked up black walnuts, chestnut casings and hickory nuts with ease. Is the felt bag cover compatible with the standard turf pro bag? The only concern I have is with the quick connect. That looks like the only week point. The plastic looks like it will crack over time. Can I order that and the extra bags and stuff direct from your company? The part # for the quick connect is 890176. The other question is can I use Mobil 1 5W30 synthetic as I have a lot of extra bottles lying around?

Thank You,

Rob

[Mr. Force™, Billy Goat Industries]

Sorry for the delay, I've been out of the office with a death in the family. Glad you liked the unit. The felt bag is compatable. As for the quick disconnect you'll wear it out before you crack it. I've never cracked it and I've tested it versus a sledgehammer.

As for the oil I can make no recommendations. I can tell you this though, if there's a problem, getting engine warranty will be difficult if you used a nonrecommended oil.