Must Have Tool For Fall Leaf Clean-Up Huge Time Saver! #92

Not a fun job but it has to be done, Rachel and I have battled fall leaf clean up for years! We used to spend days dealing with leaves. Taking, blowing, burning, then we purchased of of the best tools ever for fall clean up! The DR Power Equipment Lawn & Leaf Vac! This tool makes a labor intensive time consuming job fast and easy! This leaves us with more time to do the things we love! I had to make a modification to the deck boot so I could use the vac on my John Deere mower instead of the Husqvarna but it was quick and easy!
#leafcleanup #yardwork #DRPower #JohnDeere #DREquipment

[@ronhoover5516]

Had one of these for many years. My $.02 is, they do work, but they work best when you have a flat (2 to 3 inch) uniform, thinner layer of leaves spread over a wide area. Of course even better when the leaves are dry (almost never where I live LOL). As I went along, even on the highest blade setting I used to get a buildup of leaves behind the 2 front wheels of my tractor, creating a "cowcatcher" effect that got bad enough to lift my front wheels off the ground at times. If I had thicker piles of leaves my unit didn't handle those as well. On straightaways it worked best but on curved areas mine would get on a bind and be more prone to clogging if I turned my wheels too much. It did cause extra wear on my tractor pulling what got to be a heavy trailer of densely chipped leaves. I got rid of mine because I spent more time prepping the area to pick up leaves, and emptying the hopper, than actually picking up leaves. And for basically 11 months of the year I had this behemoth sitting in my second garage, in the way of everything. No hate, they work, but for me I eventually figured out it didn't save me THAT much time. Now I just use a backpack blower and it seems to save me a lot of time and hassle.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks for the tips.

[@Deadeye-zr2kb]

Thanks Rachel and Heath for all the videos that looks so much easier than raking really love those out takes LOL

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

So much easier!! Thanks for watching!

[@why-be-normal7014]

The fact that u have such a beautiful wife that’s outside with u doing yard work has to be the biggest jackpot one man can ever ask for. Love watching all your videos especially the new wood table u guys have

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you! She is definitely special!

[@cut4fun50]

Nice video, interesting and just being yourselves fun to watch 👍😎

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, we are definitely getting more comfortable filming, still room for improvement but we’ve come a long ways from some of my early videos. Comments like this are nice to hear.

[@rachelpostma4505]

Thanks for watching!

[@duanejohnson767]

Love my DR Vac. Upgraded a few years ago to their biggest and they made several changes I had reccomended, especially going to the 8" hose.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Duane, it is a game changer for sure. We used to spend days battling the leaves!

[@steveashworth6707]

Hey that works good picking leaves up!, lucky the 12 acres we mow is surrounded by woods so I blow the leaves with the mower on the back of my tractor into the woods!. Everything DR makes is good stuff!.

[@rachelpostma4505]

That sounds like a lot less work Steve!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Steve, it does a great job. I’ve tried blowing them into the woods etc. the layout of our property and the pond made it difficult. Love my DR equipment so far.

[@georgea6403]

I didn’t want to spend the $1600 to pick up leaves. But I got one years ago and I pick up my grass clippings all summer with it. This thing is awesome. What sets this apart from the other brands is that this actually shreds the leaves from 10 bags down to one. I just wish I had the new bed it looks a lot easier to empty

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

George I couldn’t agree more! I was hesitant to drop the money on this but man has it been worth it! This vac is an absolute life saver in the fall! I too have used it for grass clippings as well as general flower bed cleanup etc with the mobile hose attachment.

[@donwilliams169]

Absolutely awesome job on the lawn.just came in from cleaning half the lawn and watched this video.great timing that even looked like fun 🤣 thank you for the video and your work on it take care stay safe 👍

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Don, not sure it was fun but is rewarding. Now splitting firewood is fun. Rachel is actually out doing some more clean up with it now while I head to work 😞. It is more fun than being at work though.

[@davidedwards3734]

Great video!! DR makes some great implements. Stay Hydrated and Have a Safe Day

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

David, I agree. I have this vac and the DR log trailer and have been happy with them both!

[@TheYeti308]

Yes ; I learned the value of a good mower - bagger , saves a ton of time and effort . wrangling leaves, is similar to snow management in some locals .

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Absolutely, this year we’ve been lucky with very little snow so far.

[@adrianphillips6238]

Hi Heath & Rachel, great little machine. That makes light work of cleaning all those leaves, great investment.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Adrian and it is a time saver for sure!

[@rachelpostma4505]

Hi Adrian! It is a wonderful machine to have with all of these leaves we have! It used to take weeks to clear them

[@Living-The-Dream]

Nice machine, nice property too 👍👏 Rick

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Rick this machine is a real time saver in the fall!

[@Mark-Marine]

I don’t have all the maples that you do, so I’m able to bag them with my push-mower; which still wears me out lol. Sorry to hear about your warranty battle. It seems regardless of manufacturer, there’s a similar struggle with them all. However, you’d think a company that’s been around over 300 years would do better. Rachael is an absolute doll! The rapport you two have makes me smile.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Mark, I am hoping they take care of it, when I bought the mower they told me it had a 3 year bumper to bumper warranty and later came back and said the hydros only have a 2 year warranty. Hopefully they make it right but it has been frustrating to say the least.

[@rachelpostma4505]

You’re too sweet Mark!

[@Servant927]

Y’all are hilarious!! Your shirt is wrinkled!Hey it works better when turn the blades on! 😂😂. Great video. Love the banter! Especially Rachel’s sigh’s!!! 😂

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Ben, I never realized how many sighs I draw out of her u til we started noticing it on the video. She laughs every time now when we see it.

[@outdoorsinthe608]

Works great! Good job Rachel👍👍

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Jeremiah. Did you see my comment on your firewood flag video? How’s that working out?

[@rachelpostma4505]

Thanks!

[@outdoorsinthe608]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors yes I did and I replied. It’s is definitely worth it👍👍

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Cool, for some reason I didn’t get a notification. I’ll check it out, technology isn’t my strong suit lol.

[@MeaThreattoDemocracy]

your granddaughter can really handle that machine!😃

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Lol, yes she can.

[@fricknjeep]

hi there been there . bought a trak-vac many years ago holds 2 yards of leaves . i find it easier for me to vac. them up before they get to deep . yours unloaded easier . like a nut i mark on the side how many loads i do each year and my first load . 5 loads so far most likely 10 more . also have some videos showing up . take care john

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

John, definitely works better if you get on them before they pile up so deep. They definitely got away from us this year. I think the lack of rain here this fall made all of the leaves fall in a shorter time frame as well.

[@hatcherhollerhoodlum4418]

Nice job👍🏻 I like the shirts with buttons much better!!!😉😄😅🤣 Yall gitrr done🤗🤗🤗

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you. It wasn’t quite as warm today lol. I’m sure there’ll be more to come though 😉.

[@rachelpostma4505]

I’ll have to keep that in mind😉

[@dumpbear1498]

Anyone out there that has a problem with a major manufacturer that thinks they can screw over the peon customer, take notice. Contact your state Attorney General's office. One of their services is to protect the consumer. A lot of times the mere mention of filing a complaint with them settles the problem. If a manufacturer thinks they're safe by being in a different state, they will find out that the custmer's AG will contact the manufacturer's AG, and the case will proceed. Manufacturers DO NOT want to deal with AGs!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you for the information. I may have to go this route as I’ve been battling Husqvarna for over a year now to no avail.

[@henrygrey346]

Change the channel name to Hardworking Couple- that's considering Rachel's input. Not taking anything away from Heath lol. Nice to see great ideas for tackling common and mundane problems. Cheers.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks Henry, we work together as much as we can. We’re both crazy busy with work kids etc. Rachel came up with the Hard Working Man name actually. We couldn’t believe it wasn’t being used yet. She’s definitely a hard worker and a lot of fun. Love it when she can work with me!

[@rachelpostma4505]

He’s the true HWM! I’m just the sidekick 😊

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Not true lol if only people knew everything you do for the family!

[@henrygrey346]

@@rachelpostma4505 well, many times we men rely on our women to get the hard and dirty jobs out of the way. And we wonder- what are we without our women!

[@AATreeService]

So those tuff torq hydros, they need different oil to operate properly. Best thing U can do is completely drain them and run 20w50 Mobil 1 or amsoil hydrostatic oil. I’ve rebuilt more than enough of those to tell you they are extremely simple inside, but things that wear are not replaceable. U can triple even quadruple the service life just by changing the oil. And no more transmission whine!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you for the information. I will definitely do that when I get it back. That whine is annoying also.

[@taftamick54]

I need one of those!! I got a leaf vac i just can't find a beautiful woman to run it for me...🤣 Nice DR... I like that dump feature...

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

This DR is a life saver. Having Rachel to work along side me is a true blessing!

[@99SVT]

That GT235 is a much better tractor. I’ve had mine for 24 years still going strong.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Awesome, it definitely seems to be a nice unit!

[@hc8771]

Im assuming you dump it in the bush? Leaves are my nemisis, 1.5acre severed lot no bush (that i own)..i use a sweeper and bagger and pile it on the tree line and hope it breaks down before next fall..that looks handy but might be out of budget, what model / size is that?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes we dump it in the woods. But I will say this mulcher vac is a huge upgrade over the typical sweeper. That is what we used to use. We get a ton more in this vac due to the mulching. This is their second biggest model if I remember correctly.

[@skartimusprime4779]

Somehow got here looking for a vac solution for a tiny but continual buildup of leaves I get in my yard - and here I see the nuclear bomb of solutions 😂

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They do make a smaller version of this vac, but it’s a lifesaver for leaf clean up!!

[@regularpit1508]

Those leafs on the deck will start a fire easily I had a spindle start going bad and saw smoke from the belt mixed with with dry leafs. I don't have a tow behind but a attached bagger on a Craftsman I got free and it makes a night and day difference. The only thing that will stop it is pine needles like hair in a drain.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Definitely something I’ll have to keep an eye on as the leafs are falling!

[@mandiegarrett1706]

Wow, you have no idea the value of those leaves you have on your property. You can make a ton of good compost soil to use for planting if you are into gardening. We would love ALL the leaves we can get on our 60 acres property. Thank you.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We tried a garden a few years ago but we are so busy it’s tough to keep up with it. We do have a few compost piles around though. We mix the ash from our stoves in as well.

[@jomama01]

If the Hardest Working Man was the Smartest Working Man, he would have bought Trac Vac 580.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’ll check it out.

[@user-co5pp3hl1j]

I like the fact that Rachel wears earplugs. It is good that she is protecting her hearing.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thank you, we almost always wear hearing protection. My hearing is poor from when I was younger and from the Military so I know how important hearing protection is.

[@gregmorton6422]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoorsnext thing is to wear one of the KN95 face masks. I used to get bronchitis every year due to not wearing one. Haven’t had it since I started wearing the masks to keep out the leaf dust.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

@@gregmorton6422 that’s not a bad idea, I know when it’s dry it really kicks up some dust!

[@chasebarnes4967]

Could you use it to pick up grass clippings?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes, I do that a lot especially when I’m mowing an overgrown area.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

Good video, but I’m sticking up for the guy. So the guy who wears a shirt ‘that looks like a toddler’ has to tell momma to engage the mower blades :-) that’s right , I got your back sir. 🤣🚜 but I have to hand it to her she is out there working with ya.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes she is! Not afraid to learn new things it’s awesome having a wife that can help take care of outdoor work especially when I’m not around.

[@steves659]

We have issue after issue with the hose coming undone on a left turn or bunching up and now tube is cracked from right hand turns ... how are you dealing with this? We are using a Husqvarna riding mower very similar to your set up. Thank you

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We have the hose extension from when we used it on our zero turn. It does bunch up on right hand turns but seems to work pretty well.

[@steves659]

how long of extension? our hose is 7 feet ... Thank you@@hardworkingmanoutdoors

[@armenjeknavorian6870]

I saw a lot of reviews on lawn vacs and own an AgriFab Lawn Vac. They all dump leaves one way or the other with some easier than others but reattaching the chute to the collector has never been shown when raising the collector. It is not an easy task.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

I’d say it’s pretty easy with this DR, however the bottom part of the bed is starting to warp pretty good making the seal between the top and the bed poor.

[@CrochetNewsNetwork]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoorsis it fixable? A diy jacket? I’m looking at a used DR and your info has been invaluable. How many years on your DR?

[@brunolaflamme5202]

Got plans to buy one and make some cash with that.. I wonder what about when the lawn is soaked wet?

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

They don’t work that great with wet leaves. But they are a great tool.

[@srihcadi5383]

Rachel - get some eye and ear protection babe!

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

We usually have it on.

[@york806]

Yep, does a good job, chews them up...

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes it does. It’s amazing how many leaves fit into one load!

[@blueplasma5589]

Gosh, the leaves are pilling up in front of the deck a little, huh

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Yes they are. The deck on this mower doesn’t lift very hi and we let the leaves get away from us this year as we’ve been busy. I also feel like the leaves all fell in a shorter time frame this year than usual probably due to lack of rain in our area this year which compounded the problem. I am going to try to adjust the mower deck this winter so it can be lifted higher.

[@stannelson2582]

She says it works better if you work it yourself lol

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Stan, shhhh I don’t need Rachel Postma getting any crazy ideas lol.

[@rachelpostma4505]

That’s right Stan!

[@jeffb7255]

The reason why your hydros went is pulling this contraption. No zero turn mowers are meant to pull things.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Jeff, I asked the dealer before I purchased the mower and they said it would be nonissue at all, they even installed the hitch on my mower. If the couple hours a year I run this leaf vac was too much for a commercial mower it’s definitely not a piece of equipment I’ll be keeping.

[@jeffb7255]

@@hardworkingmanoutdoors I sold my landscaping buisness in 2018 30 years in business. My 20k commercial mower I wouldn’t pull that, even a grass catcher will short life a hydro system just a heads up. They just won’t hold up. Your best bet is what you have a tractor. I don’t know lawn tractors to much but I would go to a jd dealer and get a garden tractor they are made better. That might be what you have. So all those zero turns with hitches is a gimmick, I wouldn’t do it.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

Thanks for the heads up. I plan on keeping this John Deere and from what I’ve looked up they’re a legit and tough tractor, not a box store mower. I’ll run the sweeper behind this from now on just have to improve a few things before next fall.

[@AATreeService]

That is incorrect Jeff, they all use tuff torq transmissions in them. Some are cooled, some are not, some have a fan some don’t. 90% of the parts on all of these “cheaper” mowers, tractors and zero turns run the same one. Either the k46, k51 or k55. His current tractor has the k61 if I recall correctly. Larger oil capacity, larger cooler fan. The way these transaxles pump fluid when they are hot, the factory 10w30 china oil does not work. They must run 20w50 full synthetic or 15w40 non synthetic at the very minimum. I do want to add that you can rebuild the hydro in your Husqvarna for about 300 bucks if you have the time to do it. Very simple. Chances are you will only need the pump itself which is a poly housing with 6 steel pistons on a rocker bed rubbing against a bearing plate. I have a simplicity from 2006 with 800 hours on it running a k46 that hauls a full bagger up a hill (wheelie).

[@jeffb7255]

I know just from commercial mowers use hydro gear mostly and any hydro unit on a commercial zero turn isn’t that durable to handle pulling a trailer or grass catcher it will shorten the life span of the hydraulic transmission system. I was in the business for 30 years and have talked to many manufacturers as well as dealers. This is only my opinion as well as life experience.

[@yellow3222]

Yep Husqvarna got me on a chainsaw. They will never see my business again.

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

A lot of people have similar stories.

[@williambetts4645]

No good if leaves are wet

[@hardworkingmanoutdoors]

True, definitely have to get on the before the rains.

[@chrisfoltz7028]

Great job Rachel you can come and help me out.

[@rachelpostma4505]

Thanks Chris! It’s all I can do to keep up over here lol