Billy Goat Debris Vacuum

[pdenney11]

Pics of Billy Goat vac I bought yesterday to help out with my leaf clean up. It's my first year and I did some leaves in the spring and was just tarping and bagging them. This does a decent job and is much more efficient then the bagging I did in the spring. I know a truck loader is the way to go but unfortunately I dont have the cash to buy one. I bought this so that I didnt have to finance anything. Im going to buy a hose that attaches to the front of it, build a leaf box for my trailer and try to use it like a loader.
1st pic- Just the machine

2nd pic- the leaves it sucked up, it doesnt mulch them up as good as they claim it does. I used it on a yard this morning and I made a pass on the ztr to mulch them up first, then vacuumed them up and it worked much better

3rd pic- I am impressed that it actually fills the bag completely

4th pic- stipes from this morning on the only yard i have thats still green. The stripes are weak, and the yard is probably the worst yard I take care of, but I made a homemade stipe kit and bolted it on today so i figured Id post this pic

[doubleedge]

Looks good. How has that dixon been treating you?

[pdenney11]

The Dixon has done great so far. I have put it through a lot of abuse this year. It has held up extremely well for a residential ztr. I havent had any problems yet. I have been looking at getting a 61" Ferris for next year though because I got a few larger commercial properties and it will take me forever to mow them with the Dixon, and the Dixon dealer in my area got rid of them because he has had problems getting parts for them since husqvarna bought them out.

[STIHL GUY]

looks like a nice machine but it doesnt look like it mulched the leaves at all.

[pdenney11]

I think it maybe just cut them all in half. There was no shredding or mulching by any means though.

[DSLND]

Go get the leaf shredder plate. I bought a Billy Goat vacum earlier this week, and spent $60 to get the plate, and it just destory's the leaves. The size is comparable to running double gators on a mower. If i remember later, I will snap a picture.

-Mitch-

[metro36]

Go get the leaf shredder plate. I bought a Billy Goat vacum earlier this week, and spent $60 to get the plate, and it just destory's the leaves. The size is comparable to running double gators on a mower. If i remember later, I will snap a picture.

-Mitch-

Which model did you get?

[razor1]

pdenney11, nice equipment.
I know it's been said on LS many times but when you get your next ztr, install a chute guard and mulch any leaves first. Since we started mulching leaves that way, we hardly need to bag any of them. That pile of leaves in your truck would fit in a small trash bag. Good luck

[pdenney11]

Go get the leaf shredder plate. I bought a Billy Goat vacum earlier this week, and spent $60 to get the plate, and it just destory's the leaves. The size is comparable to running double gators on a mower. If i remember later, I will snap a picture.

-Mitch-

Thanks Mitch, I just called my dealer and ordered the shredder plate. Did you install the plate yourself?

[MidwestLawnService]

how much did that thing cost

[pdenney11]

pdenney11, nice equipment.
I know it's been said on LS many times but when you get your next ztr, install a chute guard and mulch any leaves first. Since we started mulching leaves that way, we hardly need to bag any of them. That pile of leaves in your truck would fit in a small trash bag. Good luck

Good idea. Do you think I would be ok if I just got some gator blades and used a chute guard? I know the mulch kit for my mower is $180+. If you think just the blades and the chute guard would give about the same results then I will just take that approach.

[Lakewlc]

how much was it and is it self propelled?

[DSLND]

Which model did you get?

KV650SPH. Self Propelled, w/6.5hp Honda.

Thanks Mitch, I just called my dealer and ordered the shredder plate. Did you install the plate yourself?

Good choice. BTW, I have some pictures for you.

I did not install the plate, my dealer did. It seems pretty simple, though. It installs in the rear chute, actually inside of it, and it just looks like a few bolts and your done. It does an excellent job. I ran the machine all day today, and I just don't know how I could have done it without the shredder kit.

-Mitch-


Here is the picture: Comparing leaves that were just picked up by hand, to shredded leaves.

[pdenney11]

WOW!!! There is a world of difference with the shredder. I cant wait till I get mine on. Thanks for the pic mitch.

[pdenney11]

how much was it and is it self propelled?

It was 700.00. It's not self propelled. The self propelled model they had was 1100.00 so i figured I could live with having to push it around for the price difference.

[J & D Greens]

I bought a used BillyGoat vacuum last October, I paid $300 for it and two bags it also has a quick remove shoot for the bag. I got a hose for it right away. I still need to get the shredder, I like it but, I would rather blow the leaves out of the nooks and crannies to the yard and rake them not worrying about getting all of them. Then mow the yard with my Snapper HighVac. Finishing the job by vacuuming the patio, driveways sidewalks and street. To finish the job.

[Lakewlc]

i was looking at a craftsman version and it was more $ than that one. but it did have the hose. post a pic of your dixion!

[razor1]

Do you think I would be ok if I just got some gator blades and used a chute guard?

I've used gators but we just use the standard blades with no problems. Also our chute guards are hinged so we can use them or not as needed. Don't forget ebay for deals too.

[Lawn Enforcer]

Do you find it hard to push it even when it's full of leaves, such as on a hilly property?

[pdenney11]

Do you find it hard to push it even when it's full of leaves, such as on a hilly property?

It's actually fairly easy to push around on any kind of terrain. If the bag gets completely full it will start to ride a wheelie and the bag will drag across the ground, but other then that its not that bad to push. I dont remember how much it weighs but its a pretty light machine.

[pdenney11]

Do you think I would be ok if I just got some gator blades and used a chute guard?

I've used gators but we just use the standard blades with no problems. Also our chute guards are hinged so we can use them or not as needed. Don't forget ebay for deals too.]

I am always worried I will get screwed over on some ebay deal. I guess i'm just paranoid.

[pdenney11]

i was looking at a craftsman version and it was more $ than that one. but it did have the hose. post a pic of your dixion!

I will get one up tomorrow. I think it is supposed to rain all day here so I should have plenty of time.

[punt66]

]

I am always worried I will get screwed over on some ebay deal. I guess i'm just paranoid.

i get all my blades and filters from ebay.

[razor1]

I am always worried I will get screwed over on some ebay deal. I guess i'm just paranoid.

I agree but most of them are ok, always check their feedback and ebay "score".

[Dunlaps LawnCare]

how fast does it fill up mitch?

KV650SPH. Self Propelled, w/6.5hp Honda.



Good choice. BTW, I have some pictures for you.

I did not install the plate, my dealer did. It seems pretty simple, though. It installs in the rear chute, actually inside of it, and it just looks like a few bolts and your done. It does an excellent job. I ran the machine all day today, and I just don't know how I could have done it without the shredder kit.

-Mitch-



Here is the picture: Comparing leaves that were just picked up by hand, to shredded leaves.

[Lakewlc]

got those pics of the dixion?

[DSLND]

how fast does it fill up mitch?

That answer can vary.

Overall, the machine is great to have around.

The mulch kit did a great job of mulching, but it really killed the vacum power. It was only picking up maybe 50% of the leaves. Took the mulcher off, picks up 100% now.

I normally mulch/bag with the Lesco, but this machine is great to have as a backup/second machine. It has its place, and I love it. Its also amazing to have for bush/hedge trimming!


-Mitch-

[Lawn Freak]

I would get one...but I have no space on the trailer for one. Hoping to get a 14 or 16 footer

[Dunlaps LawnCare]

i'm looking at a cyclone rake or a billy goat for next year just trying to get the pro's and con's

[02DURAMAX]

I was looking at those at my dealer!..Looks good!

[pdenney11]

got those pics of the dixion?



Sorry it took so long. Heres the pics of my Dixon. By the way, it's for sale if anyone is interested.

[J&R Landscaping]

I have one of those billy goat vaccums. Its about 6 years old or so and I hardly use it. It seems to be more of a pain then it is a help IMO. Billy goat needs to re-design the bag so you can empty it some-what more easily with out spilling everything all over. (Kinda like how the Little Wonder HPV is made.)

[Lakewlc]

how much are you selling it for?

[pdenney11]

how much are you selling it for?

$3800, It's practically new still.

[Lakewlc]

how much was it new?