Hi, the manual says it pulls the leaves in automatically,but it does not happen. It seems that the mask that covers the hopper is too stiff. Thoughts?
1126717
It is important that the leaves are dry (otherwise they will clog up the screen at the shredder bottom). The mask on the top is an important safety feature. I have used other shredders without that screen, only to have the occasional stone or wood chip come flying out, into my face. Try using a branch or some other pusher stick to cause the leaves to drop under the top mask. Once under the mask, they will definately suck into the shredder, but do be careful not to force too many into the hopper so that the shredder becomes clogged at the screen. It is a pain unscrewing the 8-nuts on the back of the shredder to clear it when this happens. It is important that the leaves are dry (otherwise they will clog up the screen at the shredder bottom). The mask on the top is an important safety feature. I have used other shredders without that screen, only to have the occasional stone or wood chip come flying out, into my face. Try using a branch or some other pusher stick to cause the leaves to drop under the top mask. Once under the mask, they will definately suck into the shredder, but do be careful not to force too many into the hopper so that the shredder becomes clogged at the screen. It is a pain unscrewing the 8-nuts on the... » Read More It is important that the leaves are dry (otherwise they will clog up the screen at the shredder bottom). The mask on the top is an important safety feature. I have used other shredders without that screen, only to have the occasional stone or wood chip come flying out, into my face. Try using a branch or some other pusher stick to cause the leaves to drop under the top mask. Once under the mask, they will definately suck into the shredder, but do be careful not to force too many into the hopper so that the shredder becomes clogged at the screen. It is a pain unscrewing the 8-nuts on the back of the shredder to clear it when this happens. « Show Less
1126718
There is a youtube video on this machine where the mask and screen are removed for easier shredding of wet material and bigger branches.
768709
The trimmer line will not advance automatically. You have to manually take off the trimmer replacement head and manually unwrap the line and then string it through the head while trying to keep the line from unraveling from around the trimmer head. I true pain in the rear. if you want to be very frustrated and not be able to use it to trim, but need a great paperweight in the garage, then buy it. I am putting mine out on the curb for garbage pickup tommorow.
838466
I don't see why that would be a problem, just keep the leaves reasonably dry, take your time, and don't overlaid the hopper. Wet leaves could plug things up and start causing problems.
366335
I love mine, but we don't have a lot of leaves. It picks up what leaves we do have, and the sand. Just make sure you clean it after every use.
1695913
The shredder/mulching feature is simply accomplished by "reversing" the way you use the blower. To use as a mulcher: Attached the wider plastic tube onto the underside of the blower unit. (air intake) This is where the air comes IN and where the leaves and very small twigs will get sucked up into the plastic blades, The mulched up debris will be ejected out the end you would usually use for blowing leaves into a bag that attaches to it by removing the air-flow reducer (normal front piece). As you can see, yes, it is always on, but it is how you use it, similar to a reverse vacuum, so there is no turning this feature ON or OFF. Hope this helps!
1109610
I own the Rake and Go Leaf Cart from Ames but have not used it yet as the Fall leaf collection in my area hasn't arrived. In my town, leaves are swept onto the street and picked up there without the need for bags so I can't specifically address your concerns. After looking at this cart, I suspect that it will work nicely for my use. Up till now, I have used the method of raking leaves onto a tarp and then dragging the tarp to the street so this cart method (with wheels) will hopefully prove to be infinitely better.
980094
I just bought this and tried it today. We have lots of rocks - big, little, and large sizes. Soil is sandy/loamy like. Yes it drags up rocks that are close to the surface. No way around it. Even using the smooth side... still brings up rocks. I gather if one continues to use it, eventually maybe no more rocks?
2121315
I don't have a pine tree and live in a very dry climate but it does pick up small twigs from a blue palo verde tree and those twigs are larger and heavier than reasonably dry pine needles. As with any blower-vac, you can clog it if you try to pick up a huge pile of anything. Just work from the edges and it should do fine. I'm still amazed at how much better it is than my previous one from a different manufacturer.
364385
Works awesome on leaves, but will also clog when leaves are wet. The tube has a spinning indicator that helps you determine when bags are filling. With my Husqvarna mower, I can reach behind me and feel these nylon bags getting full. Stop and empty before over filling. The tube will get full and you may have to remove it, but that's easy to do. The unit was super easy to install, also.
513501
It does not handle leaves very well. It just does not seem to pick them up. So I have to manually scoop them out.
1784661
It might if the straw is real dry but it has been my experience that smaller green twigs that have any flexibility often pass through the shredder with minimal damage. I have also found that trying to feed a lot of leaves through the hopper is frustrating because it tends to plug up more than I like so I have to keep a stick handy to stir things up to keep it feeding. I have a feeling straw might have the same problem.
989322
In theory, the leaf blower works as a vacuum, but I have avoided using my leaf blower that way. It doesn't take much, according to other reviews, to break the unit. Why risk it?
513499
It doesn't suck up large leaves and occasionally a leaf will get stuck and cause the creepy to stop sucking, so you have to pull out the leaves in order for it to resume cleaning. It does however keep all the small things cleaned up nicely. I have to use my basket scooper and clean out the majority of the leaves myself.
254500
Using the sweeper is easy and I have experienced no problems thus far. When dumping, I drive my tractor forward, if there is a lot in the catcher basket. I try to empty my basket when I notice its a little over 1/2 full. Wet or damp grass is always a problem and sometimes sticks inside the basket. But I try to use the sweeper when the grass is dry as that is when it works best
1090719
It collects the leaves on the top but it won't suck it in if the leaves are too big. Although I've had this thing suck in pine needles besides the bugs and small debris, since my pool is under a pine tree. Hope this helps.
1772227
I would not try to suck the leaves out, would be better to blow them out. Might take a leave blower to do that. Would not recommend using with out a filter as it would get trash in the motor and shorten its life.
1332655
It is extremely easy to empty bag and reattach. Large leaves are not a problem, they get ground up prior to entering bag. If it is a stick that is able to be sucked up, it will get ground up. Having said that I would avoid as many sticks as you can. Insides are made of plastic I assume.