DEBRIS LOADERS & LEAF VACS BUYING GUIDE (WHICH HP?)

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

What HP unit do you guys rock? Do you disagree or agree with the buying guide? Lmk 👇

[@tomohare4122]

I also rock the Billy Goat 18 HP. Works like a charm!

[@levikelly7926]

18 hp scag mounted on one of the back doors on our dump trailer. Have a 6x12 ft dump trailer with a 6 ft box built on top giving us 21.3 yards of capacity. Very happy with the 18 hp model and would highly recommend.

[@mima4392]

I have an 18 hp billy goat electric start hanging on the reinforced tail gate of an 8' ez dump insert. Works well for me. I paid $4600 last month from an equipment place on line with free shipping. Much cheaper than here in NY. I also drove to NJ to buy and get installed the ez dump. Much cheaper there too. Cost was $4600 too.

[@user-hz7xe1qg7c]

@@mima4392 I am going to be buying a 18hp billy goat loaf loader. I have a dump insert also, my question is if you hang it off the dump insert, when you dump your truck how do you get the tail closed? The leaf loader is around 300lbs? Thanks for any insight!

[@mima4392]

We remove it before we dump it. Yes we hang it off the dump insert tailgate. I had bars welded to the tailgate so it sits straight. A friend made me a wheeling lift so one person can move it.

[@kylemackenzie398]

Had a 14 for two years. Upgraded to the 18 last year. Worth the upgrade. Loading into a 6x12 dump trailer with 4’ plywood sides. For small residential properties it’s fantastic!

[@SebastianHernandez-wf8sp]

How does 14 hp do with wet leaves

[@trethehunter]

How much can I charge to do this?

[@robertslawnservices4317]

6.5 hp Agra-fab It works great. For my first year. It's on my 6 & 1/2 foot 14 foot trailer. It's a little slow, but get your job done.

[@davidsolis2149]

Can you recommend me a good vacuum I wood like to offer this service

[@gardnerslandscapingllc1041]

I have a 29hp scag with a 16 inch intake on my dump trailer. I love it. I actually have a good ROI on it. Being in the north east we have a lot of mature trees and pine needles.

[@jamess9208]

14hp fradan, just got it great deal almost new it had 20 hours homeowner use (he had a big property and a trailer for horses). it’s a 10in intake hose, as long as i go slow it doesn’t clog. beats bags or tarps in terms of wear and tear (owner operator with one helper). have a 6x10 utility we built a box around so it’s 6x6x10

[@jrulon11]

Good luck getting parts for that when the impeller goes bad. It’s been an absolute nightmare trying to find one for ours. Been on back order over 2 years.

[@nyccrcsx]

Man you have the perfect setup you have everything with you to get any job you need done

[@ericlenzi2718]

We use to use a 49horse john deere debri loader but I have found that I am more profitable by keeping up with the lawns reducing with xblades or just by using the chute blockers and then bagging them up much easier

[@jtklawncareandsnowremoval8256]

I have 1990s Billy goat with Honda with 13hp I love it even with wet leafs it's mint love it 200 plus yards a year we just been use a pick ups where in Massachusetts im 21 it's just me and another guy we run wrights 36 walk and 48 stander

[@jeffduren4735]

Hello Brian's lawn maintenance how I do my cleanups are as follows. I have a cab and chassis dump truck but it's a rack body truck. I have taken one of those piping from a carport to fit it inside the rack body. Then I take a breathable mesh top and throw over the top of the truck. And I've had my billy goat debris loader for 20 plus years and it's a 20 horse. With a 12-in intake tube and a 10-in discharge into the back of the truck. When the truck is full I'm about 14 to 15 yd of leaves sticks, acorns. The billy goat debris loader is one of the best employees I ever bought for fall cleanup!!!!!!

[@ethanthelandscaper8919]

We have a american road mechinary leave loader that we use for the big dump truck. Scooped it up on the auction for $2500, 4 cylinder gm gas with a 18in hose. Just flipped the whole thing around so the hose hangs out from the back and we can get both sides of the road. It eats up the leaves crazy fast.

[@MyGreenLawn2019]

Wow Ethan, thats a great price! I guess I have to keep[ looking around. Nice find!

[@vallanddess]

Scag giant vac 29 hp. Tow behind model. Really popular in our market. Very sturdy and reliable. I will go one step bigger next year.

[@caseydavis6935]

What’s the advantage of the debris loader versus bagger on a zero turn ? Love to see a compare/contrast video of sorts and hear why and how you choose to use one method versus the other.

[@sullivanseeley8550]

My brother just got a scag 37hp tow behind for 3500 used in great condition there like 8-10 k new I think but sometimes buying used is a great thing

[@mikebutler7237]

running a 100hp ODB debris loader towing with a ford 550 14ft bed 5 foot high walls fyi back in 1987 i was the second guy in my area to have a 16hp loader made by giant vac was mounted to the front of the truck in the Fisher plow mount

[@MyGreenLawn2019]

holy cow! lol - Besure theres no little kids or small animals around! lol

[@laarshegdish6016]

Hi Brian, this is exactly what I've been dreaming of for those yards that have oceans of leaves and have taken me hours to rake up! I honestly didn't know you could get such a machine as this. I am impressed by the Billy Goat unit and the dump rig that you're using!

[@loganmurphy2558]

Just bought the scag 18hp super excited for double the hp of my last one

[@musimowingmoreinc9031]

We have an 7 year old 13 hp billy goat debris loader on a 6x12 dump trailer. Some say is it jot large enough but i have to say, it works great for a 2 man show. Original cost was a little over 3500.00 andni have made a LOT of money with it. The weight for a tongue mount is a lot lighter than those larger machines.

[@SebastianHernandez-wf8sp]

How did the 13 hp do with wet leaves

[@MyGreenLawn2019]

I would agree with you Brian, I do not own a Billy Goat as of yet, but I will be purchasing the 18 HP at this point mostly because of weight. Those big one are heavy unit, the 18 is heavy enough... Thanks for the video

[@michaelwalus2154]

I just got my set up this year. Nothing huge 6 x 10 dump trailer with 4 ft extended sids built up.. I picked up a cyclone rake at auction for $30 dollars. Ordered a hose from cyclone rake for around $500. And built a bracket out of steel that hangs on the gate of the trailer. The engine is a 5.5 tecumseh with a 7" hose. I can take the debris loader of with 2 bolts and put back on. The cyclone rake chassis and pull it behind the zeros. About $1300 total for the leaf set-up. Cyclone rake makes up to a 10" unit as well. I've already made my investment back and profited in the first year of use. Just a little lol I had a huge job this year, should have filled the trailer for 2 loads I ended up dumping the first load on the customer's property then re-vacumed them on top of the second load took an extra 15 minutes but saved a 45 minutes run to dump and 45 minutes back.

[@toddbehrends1373]

I have a 14 suretrack dump trailer. I bought 2 Billy Goat leaf vacs for this fall cleanup season. We suck up the leaves and dump the bags into the trailer. I did not put any sides on the trailer and I can get approx. 5 yards on the trailer. The compost place where I dump now uses a scale to weigh the loads. They take the net weight and divide by 250 to get the total yards that you had. I have saved a ton of money this year. Before they got the scale they "guessimated" how much you had. One month before they started to use the scale I paid $850.00 to dump 4 times. After the scale I dumped 6 times for $350.00!

[@GerenaJonathan]

Keep up the good work!!! Know your numbers, keep that business rolling!!!

[@waltersic3037]

You are such a cool Bussines owner that I really enjoy listening everything you said.. Well explain I am glad you took a deep breath, you talk so fast.

[@LeslieCraft]

I have a 5hp billygoat lawn/leaf vac, works good for small cleanups, but i defiantly need to invest in a bigger debris loader.

[@LeslieCraft]

@@doejon6821 working towards that, just haven't put the money towards it as my city does leaf collection so we won't see as much curbside pickup traffic as some places

[@4.0gpa44]

The main town I do work in does free curbside pickup. Most customers let me dump leaves at the curbside or in their woods. A few customers I have to tarp and haul away leaves with a trailer.

[@yardvarkslawncare7866]

We have the 18 hp and love it until leaves start to freeze or get real wet. Dont know if we get a 2nd billy goat 18 hp or just sell our 18 for a 37 hp

[@Famousbird54]

I picked up an old used leaf vac that is like 8-12 hp and just clamps on the back gate of my truck. It's old and I got it for 300 bucks so I'm gonna throw a harbor freight engine on it and get a new tube for it. All in it should be less than 1000 dollars even with painting it again. Has a 10 inch hose on it so it doesn't get clogged as much as the smaller 8 inch ones. Happy seasons!

[@patriotlawnspecialist]

I don’t have one! That’s why I’m watching. Looking at the 18hp

[@caseyoliver5821]

I have a giant vac with a 16hp v twin motor. Bought it used for $1000. Have mine mounted the same way as you into my truck bed!

[@thestuffedcowlawncare5377]

We have the 18hp Billygoat on a 14ft dump trailer and it is powerful enough but more power would speed us up for sure.

[@rlyons64]

can you tell me where I can get the Toro bagger you have that dumps?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Just at your local dealer.

[@anthonymorrison2167]

using the dr 6hp on 5x5x8 trailer 8in. hose pulling with my side by side and can get into yards and tight places this thing works pretty good we rigged up a crank unloader to empty it and it works pretty slick but we dont have unloading fees I have plenty of places to unload thats a bummer for you guys though it beats trying to mulch them all up with the mower much quicker.

[@adamhansen5071]

For the last two seasons, I have been running a BravePro debris loader with a 13hp recoil start Honda on my 5x10 Load Trail dump trailer. I have been very happy with the performance and have yet to plug it up. It’s not fast, but it’s still much better than doing it by hand. My lawn business is very part-time so the set up works well for me, but if I did more clean ups, I would definitely step up to at least an 18hp.

[@tannersteinborn7487]

I plan to have a setup similar to that next year with probably an 8 foot bed. Once I knock out school by the new year I'll try to set up a coaching call

[@issacissacsmithsmith]

Do you think you could put a hose on this outlet thing and actually blow like pine shavings in poultry houses?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That I am not sure!

[@jonathanburton8576]

Are either of these units strong enough to vacuum fruit and veggies from a 3 yard container? Sometimes dry, sometimes a little wet.

[@TopNotchPropertyServiceLLC]

When you go to the dump/leaf drop off site are you able to unhitch the trailer or do you have to leave it at your base before you go dump the leaves?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

We do have to unhook the trailer each dump, yep.

[@tonywoods3197]

Hi Brian I have a Old School 8Hp Billy Goat that has a 10 Foot Hose I wanted to See if They Made Blades to fit the Shoad fan to Break Up the leaves Smaller instead of Running My Mower Over Them and then Vacuuming them Up and I had Seen another Landscaper using a 37 HP Billy Goat that has a 10 Foot Hose and it has Blades on the Shroud Does yours have Blades on them and if So how do you like them Thank you

[@rylindbrown8495]

I have a 14hp that i bought this year. so far so good.

[@MatthewHarris-x6v]

How many yards can you vacuum from the curb in a day? Is there a big enough business for curbside clean up?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

5!

[@lifecyklesending2875]

We paired the largest Dr leaf vac on the zero turn with a 14 hp debris loader with a long bed insert. Hopefully it goes well 🙏 first year with the debris loader after seeing how much of a pain it was bagging leaves after hauling them back to the truck with the mower and Dr vac.

[@MIHfishing]

We do huge Commerical accounts also and running three dump leaf trucks 90 inch sides

[@conorsmith5471]

I have a tow behind fradan leaf vacuum with 31hp vanguard on it, 14” tube going into 2020 npr with 12’ aluminum bed and 50” sides. Fradan says this bad boy gets 15:1 compaction.

[@wade8418]

always a pleasure! Im looking to do this one day.

[@popvultureinc5007]

Do you find that the payload seems heavy with this setup? Vs having a dump trailer with most of the weight over the axles of the trailer instead of the axles of your truck?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Not at all. Barely squats unless it's fully loaded with wet leaves. I'd suggest a 350 Superduty in the future, but this 250 was what I could afford at the time.

[@dexewing1]

Brian said to post what debris loader we are running, so I'll be the smart-ass that will say "my own two hands". LOL!

[@tonywoods3197]

Hi Brian I have a 1989 5HSP Tecumseh it's Orange it kicks Ass it's a gas unit t My only Problem is I need another hose and yes there's a safety Switch on it the hose has to be clamped right under the bolts were the washer's are Also I wonder if you can ask the Company that makes the Special grass cutting blades for mulching if you take off the hose and look we're the fan is for the Motor I was thinking if he could make or if he already sells blades that you can attach to the fan to Mulch it up even dinner PS I was making My own Mulch years ago just what I did from My customers recycling the leaves and mixing it in with the Wood hips I made with my Gravely Chipper I would make a good Pile in November and by May after turning it over with my John Deere front end loader every 3rd day and throw some 10 -6-4 on it the Wood Chips would go from White to Black and be real fine and Smell like Mint I'm still thinking about putting Dump inserts in my 2 Ford Pickup Trucks I used to put it in a my Jackson Trailer that was 16 by 7

[@danielcoleman8990]

Just got the 37 hp billy 🐐

[@seektruthd4419]

You should turn your bolts on the hose nozzle tip. Put them inside to the outside, so not to catch on the leaves while sucking.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Good tip!

[@LosPastrana]

what would you use for dust, sand and dirt?

[@glennlitchfield1578]

How do you empty the pickup truck's full container?

[@Dolphinzone13]

I'll be in the market next fall, but I have a question. Has anyone thought of setting up similarly but put a turnable platform underneath the unit so that you can then shoot the debris out of the truck into your compost pile when you get back to home base?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

That would be an interesting concept!

[@Dolphinzone13]

I think that's the plan this year, I'll let you know if it works!

[@shannonp4037]

Someone on youtube has it. I can't remember where I saw it though.

[@scottmullaly9757]

Can I build a leaf trailer out of a single axle boat trailer, it’s built out right bow as a utility trailer 7x12

[@brianburchard1]

Thanks for the info Brian. I'll be in the market for a debris loader for next fall.

[@andrewf.909]

don't have one but realized I need one for next year

[@sunseeker6088]

Keep bringin the education ……. We certainly appreciate it.

[@derekw9493]

I am still new in business Right now I have clients that let me use their dumpster so I mulch up the leaves and then bag them. Then I just carry it to the dumpster

[@justinoberlin3863]

Good content my guy. Glad to see this information

[@ronaldbell6900]

Yes it's very helpful I need some equipment like that can't find good help that's just what I needed to know what's 6500

[@-What-are-your-thoughts]

What’s a good company or website to have design a logo for a lawn care business.

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

I couldn't tell ya, but you can get lucky on Fiverr!

[@robcreagh5819]

I have a billygoat with a 11hp Honda. The unit is about 15 years old.

[@JacksonMiller15]

Don’t have one yet hence why i’m watching this🥶

[@derrickporter679]

What are you using for your dump bed?

[@MrLONELYDRIFTER]

The one problem with you swaying the hose back and forth is that after a while all that grinding on the middle of the hose on the ground will create a hole on the hose.

[@glenlohane-adayinthelife7361]

what to do?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Yep, after $75,000 in leaf cleanup work by the time your hose is deteriorating, you’ll be able to buy a new one, 😉

[@MrLONELYDRIFTER]

But why increase your future spending? Why not make a cheap solution to what might be an expensive future problem. And with todays shortages who knows what the future brings. Took me 2yrs to find an affordable power rake since the one i currently have is over 20yrs old with proper maintenance. I needed to find a replacement since i dont think their are any repair parts anymore.

[@bryanwise53]

I think next year im gunna try two by a 18 HP unit for my trailer its just a 14 foot open trailer with 4 foot walls on it

[@matheusdamasceno3197]

I run a scag giant vac 29 hp it is a monster love it.

[@mikebonilla8122]

I bought an 18HP billgoat leaf loader (Used) and it doesnt seem like it shreds the leaves? could it be that not all leaf loaders shred leaves or i need new blades?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Hmm I’m not sure on that one. Ours does an amazing job. I’d check with your dealer to see if anything is up with it.

[@matthewvotodian8168]

Just here for the algorithm! Carry on

[@GoodmanLawnCare]

I had the exact SAME thing happen to me with the saftey switch on my AgriFab Leaf Vac lol. I even took mine to the mechanic and that’s how I found out that all I had to do was put the hose on🤣 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@GoodmanLawnCare]

It’s the simple things🤣

[@grahamwilliams7578]

Rockin that 5.5 horse trac vac with a 6in tube mounted on a 6x9 haha.

[@mickeyprindiville3790]

Thanks for the insight

[@MinnesotaLawnandLandscape]

Quick question. What is the width of your discharge chute? I just bought the same unit and of course they dealership there did not have any tube for the discharge. I called 2 other dealerships and 1 wants to sell me an 8" wide hose and the other says you have to have a 7" wide hose because of all the power even with clamping an 8" you would get blow out or even loosen it. Just wondering what you have as I measured my discharge chute at 7" and figured if I go with an 8" wide one with a clamp it would work, but after talking with other dealership I am now second guessing.

[@lawncommander]

I have a 6 inch double wall corrugated pipe the one end has a 7 inch flange, cut a few slots and fits like a glove

[@MinnesotaLawnandLandscape]

@@lawncommander thanks

[@jeffharvey6768]

Great job Brian

[@4x4hondarancher]

Im eye balling a 18hp need to upgrade my truck first though

[@Dale.Nienow]

Great video Brian, I don’t have one but, Shawn and TQ from Spencer lawn care either has the 31 or the 37 billy goat loader! They look like awesome units!

[@Dodgingsimulator]

Anywhere I could find one cheap?

[@ryanb963]

Thanks for the video.

[@GrandviewLawnCare]

Awesome information brother.. We are so close to 2000 subscribers. I am so excited. I want to get a leaf blower too

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

🎉🎉

[@sblawncare5115]

I found an older used unit for $750 on marketplace. 16hp v twin Briggs

[@marcoparedesperez9470]

Hi. What hp is your engine? What diameter is the suction fan? What diameter is the suction pipe? Sls

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

10” intake, 18hp unit

[@marcoparedesperez9470]

Thanks. Sls

[@atepus31]

Love my 14hp Subaru billy goat! Gets the job done!

[@caseythelawnartist9111]

I do not miss my first vac, 13hp Billy goat.

[@atepus31]

@@caseythelawnartist9111 my only complaint is the mount don’t allow us to turn the unit to the side which clogs at the base of the machine but other than that it’s great for what we do!

[@atepus31]

@@caseythelawnartist9111 the 14hp has the 12” hose like Brian’s the 13hp only has a 8”

[@brandonc6078]

@@atepus31 14hp has 10" hose.

[@atepus31]

@@brandonc6078 pretty sure mines a 12 I’ll have to check now lol

[@loganlawncare2597]

How many yards can fit in that

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

4-5!

[@atepus31]

Hey brian loosen up the chain a little bit, makes the tube lighter for you and easier to handle also reduces the chance of clogs! If you want I can shoot you a dm of ours

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Honestly I plan to clamp it down further down the tube and tighten it up. It should be supporting the tube better imo, no?

[@atepus31]

@@BriansLawnMaintenance yes if you loosen the chain some it allows the cuff to come out further

[@ricardowoods8133]

Thanks for the information bro that's good to no.

[@mossfamilylawncare5474]

Love it thank you for sharing this video I saved this video in the future I might have to do this thank you Brian 👍👍👍💯💯💯

[@averyprolawncare5273]

Great video as always 👍🏻 Not to your level yet ... so hit me up when you’re ready to upgrade and want to sell me your unit half off 🤣🤣 I’m just down the road in Macomb county

[@evantaylor3835]

Very helpful

[@jtplawncareandjunkremoval]

👍, really helpful

[@jg4159]

I have a 29 hp Scag

[@DanOneDr]

I just posted on other video, .we are mowing today 60° in NY Lol

[@jhomrich89]

Scag does make a 49hp diesel model, I think, for 80 to 90% of guys out there, it is total overkill.

[@robsolo4024]

Giant back 29 hourse power tow behind

[@anthonyn9935]

Rob don’t get enough love on the channel.. how long have you know him and how did you guys link up?

[@BriansLawnMaintenance]

Rob gets tons of love on the channel, he's the goat. He's my cousin, he's been with us for 3 going on 4 seasons.

[@greaterlandscapingmartin4510]

I have a 13hp

[@tonywoods3197]

PS that 5HSP only Coast me $ 800 a Pretty good investment I would Say

[@bradtopp7332]

I run 23 hp Little wonder leaf loader we only use 1/2 to 3/4 throttle

[@logdon17]

Really comes down to what you are putting the debris loader on. For a pickup bed, your setup is ideal. For a dedicated dump trailer with walls or a large truck with tons of capacity you buy the biggest you can get. An idea to grow your business, you might look into a much larger setup to add curbside pickup to your revenue stream seeing as that is easy money. A $20k setup would pay for itself in maybe 3 seasons

[@MIHfishing]

37 hp billy goat or scag?? Need help Billy goats made vac way longer then scag but scag is top tier on mowers???

[@BeamsLawnLandscapeFairview]

85 hp Odb leaf vac

[@SledgeHammer43]

29hp is 12 inch intake the 37hp has a 14 inch intake.

[@greenmanearthcare8744]

18 hp scag leaf eater