[SUGAR_CUT_MARK]

Ok, i just started my LCO this summer, and i'm interested in doing leaf removal this fall.

1. Can i get some feed back from experienced guys as to what technique (s) is the most efficient way to remove leaves, ie: blowing them into a pile then sucking them up with a truck loader, or using an accelerator type bagger, or blowing them onto a tarp???

2. Also, what equipment is the best???

 

[Blades of Steel]

blowing them into a pile then sucking them up with a truck loader

 

[HOMER]

Mulching them with one mower and running behind that with the Trac-vac unit on the other mower.

Fast and efficient.

Dump at curb and ride out!:waving:

 

[Ax Man]

1)What kind of equipment do you own?
2)Is this a huge volume of leaves, or just a few trees?
3)How many properties?

 

[walker-talker]

Originally posted by HOMER
Mulching them with one mower and running behind that with the Trac-vac unit on the other mower.

Fast and efficient.

Dump at curb and ride out!:waving:

I do it this way also, except use a walker and after dumping at curb, use a leaf loader to load into the truck.

 

[work_it]

In some of the 'high rent" districts here the city will come by and vaccume all the leaf piles left at the curb. In the other areas you have to haul them away yourself.

 

[challenger55]

get a walker
or blowing it in piles with a eb7001 will do fine

 

[KenH]

We blow out all beds into lawn. Push blow these into a pile, suck into truck. Mow/bag the lawn.

 

[A1 Grass]

Blower, Rake on to a 6x8 tarp (tent stakes if windy), load straight into the truck.

Works well for 1 or 2 guys. DON'T buy a cheap tarp. Get a canvas one - trust me. You can get a LOT of leaves onto a tarp.

Can be used for leaves, branches and even small logs. E-Z and FAST!

 

[jrc lawncare]

Originally posted by Blades of Steel
blowing them into a pile then sucking them up with a truck loader

I do the same as Blades of steel. Mow and blow them into piles and use the leaf loader.

 

[mike9497]

i blow everthing out of beds and i blow around trees 6 or 7 ft around.fire up my two exmark lazers and turf ranger all with bags and start drag racing down the lawn...lol. dump everything in the street to be picked up by the leaf loaders

 

[Meg-Mo]

Using MEG MO blades mulches the leaves 60 or 70 % finer so a lot less work.

 

[ed's lawn service]

I blow the leaves into about three foot wide wind rows and then I come along with a tarp and rake. Here the City comes along and picks up the leaves, so I just pull the full tarp to the curb side and dump it. When puting wet leaves on a tarp, I will usually put my foot behind the rake and kind of plow the leaves onto the tarp. I have a Stihl BG-55 handheld blower.

 

[turfman33]

blow into a pile and use my billy goat.

 

[TimberlandGrounds]

If you use a ZTR with a collection system (i.e Lazer with their commercial collection system) will that work? Will that pick up the leaves adequately?

 

[SpudsM15]

Hey since alot of you guys are lucky and the townships pick the leaves up curbside... Do any of you use leaf plows?
I can't image how fast you could do a area with one guy plowin the parts of the piles that are getting big than another guy with a walkbehind blower.

 

[mike9497]

TimberlandGrounds

look at my post above

SpudsM15

i use leaf plows they do work but you still need to bag the lawn or get out the blower.it leaves some stuff behind

 

[SpudsM15]

Mike what i ment was use the plow for the bulk of the leaves then clean it up with the wb blower? No good?

 

[walker-talker]

Originally posted by mike9497
i use leaf plows they do work

What kind of leaf plow do you have and how much did it cost....I might be interested in going with this route.

I have only done a few leaf jobs, just started last year. I have already learned there are very ways of doing this. You just have to use the way that is most efficient. Some properties just a tarp and rake might be best, some might be required to mow and collect. It all depends on the layout of the property.

Thanks Mike,
MATT

 

[mtdman]

Originally posted by ed's lawn service
I blow the leaves into about three foot wide wind rows and then I come along with a tarp and rake. Here the City comes along and picks up the leaves, so I just pull the full tarp to the curb side and dump it. When puting wet leaves on a tarp, I will usually put my foot behind the rake and kind of plow the leaves onto the tarp. I have a Stihl BG-55 handheld blower.

What he said. Moving leaves by tarp may seem prehistoric, but it's a tried and true method when all you do is dump them at the curb. I am getting a truck loader this year for areas around here that don't do street pickup. First year doing that.