Way too cool for summer school!. Chad, I am a 65 year old man. Look, the music is good, the video top notch, and the design and function of your product is excellent. I love smart people. Make more videos. You have the gift.
I know this is a super old video but if you are still using this system, one thing that will make a night and day difference is to vent the garbage can so air passing thru without bottle-necking. Cut out a 12 inch by 12 inch square in the back of the can and put chicken wire or screen there. This will hold in the debris but will allow the air to flow thereby making a smooth flow for the leaves and grass.
One thing I did on my factory-installed cubcadet bagger is there was novac motor to push the leaves in the hopper I mounted a back leaf blower to the front of the machine ran a rummber pipe from the leaf blower in to the chute on the end of the mowing deck to push leaves up the pipe in to the bagger works really good a extra 200 mph of wind makes a difference
I built a setup like that for a lawn tractor when I was 15. I used a Rubbermaid 44 gallon Brute barrel, 7" hose, a small wooden cart on the back with swivel wheels for the barrel. I vented the lid of the barrel with screen under 3 large holes. A powered blower blowing the air up the hose works much better on the larger decks of big mowers. By having the air go through the blowers fan to mulch the leaves before they go into the barrel, you can fit about 3X more leaves in the barrel.
Well done mate! Great improvisational engineering and fabrication. Very humorous as well. I'm working on a similar concept that will deliver the leaves directly into a plastic bag for final disposal. Leaves - one of the most diabolical curses of home ownership!!!
The majority of the leaves that fall around here are from oak trees and I would consider those leaves "rough". It picks the leaves up great...the biggest drawback is that I can take one swipe and the Trash can is full! It takes me about 20-30 trips back and forth to the burn pile. Still beats raking though. If you attempt this I might recommend attaching a leaf blower or something to help the leaves push through the pipe. I really don't have a problem with clogging, but it does happen.
Thanks for the reply! The video wasn't working for me for 2 days. Don't know what the h.... was going on but finally got it and saw it just now! WOW - not only is the DIY leaf collector you built awesome but the videography was superb!! Excellent job on both counts! But you didn't say the cost of materials nor show all of the actual build. My lawn tractor is nowhere near as nice as your ZT but I could fabricate a mount on the back since there are bolts already there for the retail ($280) models!
i gotta tell you the video is slick . nice revision change from 1 to 2. the only thing i would change would be no holes in the can but a fairly fine screen system in the lid to keep the air flow going and a debre reflector plate under the lid close to the tube to channel the yard waste downward. but listen , nice job and great vid!
I just bought a 50" cub cadet that came with the bagger attachment. if the leaves are even a tad bit moist, i'm talking a mist not even a sprinkle, it works like complete dog shit. Clogs up where the shit normally blows out (w/o the attachment hooked up) IMMEDIATELY. I've been thinking about building my own - nice video & great creativity
Gotta say...so glad I watched the video. The BEST video Ive seen in a while! Loved version 1. "Big Deal"! Soooo me! or at least I think so. Thanks 4 posting.
See this would be a good idea for me but my lawn mower has exhaust pointing directly backwards( yours is sideways), so it could melt the trashcan plastic and not provide sufficient exhaust for the engine. I might just move the trashcan to the right or attach a trailer to the back, and extend the pipe a bit for more capacity! Your video has given me ideas!
Major Props Dude! Brilliant Design, Awesome analysis of your version 1.0 and retrofit into V2.0.!! Gonna try do the same with dump trailer and turtle cover.
I wonder if you put a ten inch hole in the lid with a screen if that would work. Hmmm. I'll definitely be doing this before next fall. My neighbor has a long row of pear trees that blow all the leaves in MY yard.
I salute your approach, showing both the methodology and the need for revision. I would have just put a screened vent in the plastic trash can though, instead of the neatly cut holes. It is easy to mulch too many leaves and have mushy turf and also choke out the grass. The problem more often is where to put the vacuumed debris; but you seem to have that covered. All in all, well done.
I agree 100% about the trash bags...it was an after thought. As for the lack of leaves during the video shoot. There was a "creative" competition that came up and I needed video before the contest deadline. Leaves weren't falling yet as you noticed. It does work very well though, but I really don't care to make another video. I did add a leaf blower to the setup (v3.0) to help push the leaves up the pipe. Still not perfect, but beats raking 5acres of leaves anyday!
There is always room for improvement and I agree that there is some areas that need some re-working. This was really a last minute thing I did over a weekend, without a lot of design planning. Now I'm in NYC (no grass) so I haven't updated the unit...there are a few things I would do different. I initially put this video up to motivate others to innovative something in the garage. Hopefully with the critique of others, people will customize there own designs.
it might work using coffee filters over the small holes to catch all the small debris. or one of the really large shopvac bags. another way could be laundry mesh bags sewn together to make it larger for your application. cool vid, thank you for sharing!
OK, props for the funny hill billy engineering lesson. I think a screen top could have allowed you do minimize some of the large holes all over the place. Only issue is the lack of a money shot showing this running down a nice run of lawn and seeing the before and after. Otherwise, you go boy!
would it be possible to get a parts list so I can get this made for my mower? Also, what about using plastic piping after the boot w/ reducer? Thank you for this. It is a real help to me.
add a manifold and you could add 2 more cans. You would need a sturdier bracket for the weight. I wonder how well it would work with more cans back there. Great video , had me laughing.
You are about as crazy as me about collecting leaves...your videos are way more fun though, great stuff! You need a couple of Direct-Bag-It bags hanging off the back to really make it work.
Who cares! Look at the views he has gotten so far. It works that's all that matters and the video quality audio and video were very creative. If you want a high powered vacuum go purchase the type made by Billy Goat or spend a fortune on one with an engine hanging off the side that blows leaves up the pipe. 10 out of 10 votes from me!
I would like to see this unit work on more than 30 leaves. I have a feeling crushed leaves are going to make their way out of the exhaust holes you created. v1 I asked myself, "Where's his exhaust ports??" There's a reason leaf mowers use bags and not buckets. A leaf bag is essentially a large filter that allows air to pass but not debris. If you change your design to use a bag instead of a trash can, it will probably work much better.
Dude that's awesome. I was planning on buying a pull behind lawn sweeper but I love your idea and will be headed to Lowes to get the gear to build one myself. I wonder if it would work if you put a plastic bag in the can so you can just pull the bag out and replace with an empty bag? I understand you need holes for airflow but perhaps a screen on the top might work? Thanks for sharing!
@moderndayjesus. I didn't even know that they made a bagging kit. I would of probably went that route if I had known, but I like getting creative and building things. This year I attached a leaf blower to the deck of the mower. I used a shop-vac hose that runs out of the leaf blower into the start of the 8" pipe to help push the heavy leaves up and into the trash bin. Works good...although it takes me about 20-30 trips back and forth to the burn pile.
That would be great to use plastic bags, but with all the air circulation moving around in the trash bin area, I'm going to guess that the leaves will end up running back down pipe and start clogging. It's all about the process and what you learn on the way, I hope it works out for you and please keep us in touch if it does!
This is an older version. In the newest version I cut a hole (2 1/2") at the first turn of the piping and attached a leaf blower to it via shop vac hose. No clogging, but I have burnt through one leaf blower :S
It was sometime ago when I built it and it wasn't intended for grass pickup, that being said, it did pick up grass as well. If the grass was wet though it would gunk up the pipe and clog the whole system.
I have to say this isn't Hill Billy in my book. Damn good DIY set-up! Do you think there is any need to add a vacuum system to this? I have 30 pecan trees and all the leaves fell around the same time. I need to pick them up as quick as I can. I plan on throwing them into a 6ft long trailer. ;)
Cost in materials, humm, I can't remember... I'm going to guess under $100 if you have the tools (drill, pop-rivet gun, snips, etc) The trash can was the most expensive part of the project. I agree with James Wright, and others, if I use more screen it would probably help with air flow/circulation. Maybe v4 I'll make more of a Skelital frame with fiberglass screen material in place of the trash can...or maybe I hybrid of the two. AnythingLabor, yes, if the leaves are the least bit wet it's a pain to pick up. I'm going to guess that goes with many leaf picker-upper.
it looks like the leaves would get drawn up by the mowers blades and just sit on the duct tube without a separate vacuum source to keep them moving, maybe not.
+Eric Easton Never got to it but my thought was hinge it on the back side and make it high enough so you could swing the bottom up against the back without hitting the ground and latch it. Never got to it though so not sure how it would actually work. Skipping leaf raking this year.
Sorry Mario... but 5 acres of oak trees creates a lot of leaves. The Husqvarna mower does mulch the leaves, but I'm sure you already knew that with your expertise! Maybe if it had spinners on the wheels and hydraulics you would approve ;)
Check out the Big Leaf Bag from Abletotech Corp. Awesome if you have a Walk Behind Mower. It's the simplest yet most effective solution for leave collection with a Walk Behind Mower.
Great ideal, thanks for sharing. Anyone can now modify for their situation and their mower. Joking: I would like to make a system that will blow the leaves and grass down the street about 500 feet away from my house. [ hurray for me and screw the neighbors] Ps. just joking.
You need a blower or something to help push those leaves in to the trash can. All that nice shiny metal ain't doing it. I saw a ten year old kid on you tube make a leaf vacuum using a hand held blower worked pretty good to, check his video out you might learn how to get your working better good luck you do nice sheet metal work.
Way too cool for summer school!. Chad, I am a 65 year old man. Look, the music is good, the video top notch, and the design and function of your product is excellent. I love smart people.
Make more videos. You have the gift.
Chip, I'm a bit of a "Hill Williams" myself, but could not of designed or built one of these without your genius. Thank You for sharing
I know this is a super old video but if you are still using this system, one thing that will make a night and day difference is to vent the garbage can so air passing thru without bottle-necking. Cut out a 12 inch by 12 inch square in the back of the can and put chicken wire or screen there. This will hold in the debris but will allow the air to flow thereby making a smooth flow for the leaves and grass.
One thing I did on my factory-installed cubcadet bagger is there was novac motor to push the leaves in the hopper I mounted a back leaf blower to the front of the machine ran a rummber pipe from the leaf blower in to the chute on the end of the mowing deck to push leaves up the pipe in to the bagger works really good a extra 200 mph of wind makes a difference
Nice! Your tube attachment to the mower is great! And the plastic can is good too! I have heavy duty screen covering my vent holes. Good stuff!!
not bad at all....looks decent and it works.........I am thinking of using a 270 gallon plastic water tank for a higher capacity bin...wish me luck
I built a setup like that for a lawn tractor when I was 15. I used a Rubbermaid 44 gallon Brute barrel, 7" hose, a small wooden cart on the back with swivel wheels for the barrel. I vented the lid of the barrel with screen under 3 large holes.
A powered blower blowing the air up the hose works much better on the larger decks of big mowers. By having the air go through the blowers fan to mulch the leaves before they go into the barrel, you can fit about 3X more leaves in the barrel.
Like 10 years later on TH-cam, still Love it!
Thanks for sharing your design and specifics. Really liked your video, music, and silliness!
Man u r genius ,
make me think about the other home made inventions for the lawn clean up.
Well done mate! Great improvisational engineering and fabrication. Very humorous as well.
I'm working on a similar concept that will deliver the leaves directly into a plastic bag for final disposal. Leaves - one of the most diabolical curses of home ownership!!!
Good insight into your design and build process. I’ll be able to use some of the guidance. Fun mix of music and antics.
The majority of the leaves that fall around here are from oak trees and I would consider those leaves "rough". It picks the leaves up great...the biggest drawback is that I can take one swipe and the Trash can is full! It takes me about 20-30 trips back and forth to the burn pile. Still beats raking though. If you attempt this I might recommend attaching a leaf blower or something to help the leaves push through the pipe. I really don't have a problem with clogging, but it does happen.
Thanks for the reply! The video wasn't working for me for 2 days. Don't know what the h.... was going on but finally got it and saw it just now! WOW - not only is the DIY leaf collector you built awesome but the videography was superb!! Excellent job on both counts! But you didn't say the cost of materials nor show all of the actual build. My lawn tractor is nowhere near as nice as your ZT but I could fabricate a mount on the back since there are bolts already there for the retail ($280) models!
i gotta tell you the video is slick . nice revision change from 1 to 2. the only thing i would change would be no holes in the can but a fairly fine screen system in the lid to keep the air flow going and a debre reflector plate under the lid close to the tube to channel the yard waste downward. but listen , nice job and great vid!
I just bought a 50" cub cadet that came with the bagger attachment. if the leaves are even a tad bit moist, i'm talking a mist not even a sprinkle, it works like complete dog shit. Clogs up where the shit normally blows out (w/o the attachment hooked up) IMMEDIATELY. I've been thinking about building my own - nice video & great creativity
Legend. Good to watch on a Sunday morning. I may finished project by the afternoon listening to that music
I'm glad my video has inspired you and your kids to get creative and have fun! Hope your project is going well.
-Chad
This is great. I like to build things too And it's nice to see another guy's idea of a product you can actually use. Love the video too
Cool efficient video I was equally excited jumping around when I follow this built mine
Bad ass editing bro!
Gotta say...so glad I watched the video. The BEST video Ive seen in a while! Loved version 1. "Big Deal"! Soooo me! or at least I think so. Thanks 4 posting.
See this would be a good idea for me but my lawn mower has exhaust pointing directly backwards( yours is sideways), so it could melt the trashcan plastic and not provide sufficient exhaust for the engine. I might just move the trashcan to the right or attach a trailer to the back, and extend the pipe a bit for more capacity! Your video has given me ideas!
You are an engineer, very good invention, I will steal your creative idea for my personal use. Thx
Major Props Dude! Brilliant Design, Awesome analysis of your version 1.0 and retrofit into V2.0.!! Gonna try do the same with dump trailer and turtle cover.
This is simply an amazing idea compared to spending $300-$400
wow that was awesome! It looked good.. You did a good job on that! I am going to do that too. That would save me $$$$..
Looks as good as the commecial set ups, and the video was well done, and entertaining. Thanks, Dan
I wonder if you put a ten inch hole in the lid with a screen if that would work. Hmmm. I'll definitely be doing this before next fall. My neighbor has a long row of pear trees that blow all the leaves in MY yard.
I salute your approach, showing both the methodology and the need for revision. I would have just put a screened vent in the plastic trash can though, instead of the neatly cut holes. It is easy to mulch too many leaves and have mushy turf and also choke out the grass. The problem more often is where to put the vacuumed debris; but you seem to have that covered. All in all, well done.
I agree 100% about the trash bags...it was an after thought. As for the lack of leaves during the video shoot. There was a "creative" competition that came up and I needed video before the contest deadline. Leaves weren't falling yet as you noticed. It does work very well though, but I really don't care to make another video. I did add a leaf blower to the setup (v3.0) to help push the leaves up the pipe. Still not perfect, but beats raking 5acres of leaves anyday!
Saludos desde PR 🇵🇷 te quedó brutal recientemente mi hijo compró un tractor vive en Ocala, le envié este video 💪💪
This is not hillbilly this is genius!
There is always room for improvement and I agree that there is some areas that need some re-working. This was really a last minute thing I did over a weekend, without a lot of design planning. Now I'm in NYC (no grass) so I haven't updated the unit...there are a few things I would do different. I initially put this video up to motivate others to innovative something in the garage. Hopefully with the critique of others, people will customize there own designs.
Damn, you just blew my mind! If only I could do something like this with my push mower.
it might work using coffee filters over the small holes to catch all the small debris. or one of the really large shopvac bags. another way could be laundry mesh bags sewn together to make it larger for your application. cool vid, thank you for sharing!
I love 4:20 when the dump occurs.....about 2 handfuls of leaves!! Some good ideas though.
Awesome video. Well made and the leaf catcher is pretty damn ingenieious.
So, what about raising and dropping the deck to collect grass trimmings so u can mow while doing it? Id attach a flex tube somewere
I love it !
Sent to me by my son who is a landscaper.
OK, props for the funny hill billy engineering lesson. I think a screen top could have allowed you do minimize some of the large holes all over the place. Only issue is the lack of a money shot showing this running down a nice run of lawn and seeing the before and after. Otherwise, you go boy!
Salesmanship sold it!
AWESOME VIDEO!!! one question... before you put the blower on there, did you have problems with it clogging up while just bagging leaves???
would it be possible to get a parts list so I can get this made for my mower? Also, what about using plastic piping after the boot w/ reducer? Thank you for this. It is a real help to me.
add a manifold and you could add 2 more cans. You would need a sturdier bracket for the weight. I wonder how well it would work with more cans back there. Great video , had me laughing.
You are about as crazy as me about collecting leaves...your videos are way more fun though, great stuff! You need a couple of Direct-Bag-It bags hanging off the back to really make it work.
thanks for your video and great idea, canada quebec
ive got an old snapper riding mower im going to try this on. Very clever bro!
How come you didn't keep the container solid and add a burlap or screen cutout on top for airflow? Those unfiltered holes are pretty massive.
Who cares! Look at the views he has gotten so far. It works that's all that matters and the video quality audio and video were very creative. If you want a high powered vacuum go purchase the type made by Billy Goat or spend a fortune on one with an engine hanging off the side that blows leaves up the pipe. 10 out of 10 votes from me!
I would like to see this unit work on more than 30 leaves. I have a feeling crushed leaves are going to make their way out of the exhaust holes you created. v1 I asked myself, "Where's his exhaust ports??" There's a reason leaf mowers use bags and not buckets. A leaf bag is essentially a large filter that allows air to pass but not debris. If you change your design to use a bag instead of a trash can, it will probably work much better.
Back when TH-cam was ripe with tomfoolery that was cool. Nice work dude, looks more my speed than the 1k jobbie that ariens want!
3:46 there's the exhaust holes I was looking for, great job brother!!!! Cheers, #SeattleRingHunter
Dude that's awesome. I was planning on buying a pull behind lawn sweeper but I love your idea and will be headed to Lowes to get the gear to build one myself. I wonder if it would work if you put a plastic bag in the can so you can just pull the bag out and replace with an empty bag? I understand you need holes for airflow but perhaps a screen on the top might work? Thanks for sharing!
@moderndayjesus.
I didn't even know that they made a bagging kit. I would of probably went that route if I had known, but I like getting creative and building things.
This year I attached a leaf blower to the deck of the mower. I used a shop-vac hose that runs out of the leaf blower into the start of the 8" pipe to help push the heavy leaves up and into the trash bin. Works good...although it takes me about 20-30 trips back and forth to the burn pile.
That would be great to use plastic bags, but with all the air circulation moving around in the trash bin area, I'm going to guess that the leaves will end up running back down pipe and start clogging.
It's all about the process and what you learn on the way, I hope it works out for you and please keep us in touch if it does!
Great video and creativity! What size and how many pop rivets did you use to snug the duct work together? Thank you!
not many, evenly spaced out 2" on center. I believe it was around 8-10 rivets
Don't listen to him. This is awesome! (and it doesn't seem to bother the deer in your yard either!)
This is an older version. In the newest version I cut a hole (2 1/2") at the first turn of the piping and attached a leaf blower to it via shop vac hose. No clogging, but I have burnt through one leaf blower :S
sweet! you should go buy a window screen replacement kit so you don't loose any leaves through the holes In the trsh can! love the plaque idea hhaha
Good job . WILL be making ONE 👍👍👍
Nice setup and nice video.
I love this Idea. Gonna use this in Findlay Ohio
Interesting idea!
I realize this is an older video but I'd like to try something like this. How does/did it work for catching grass?
It was sometime ago when I built it and it wasn't intended for grass pickup, that being said, it did pick up grass as well. If the grass was wet though it would gunk up the pipe and clog the whole system.
Chad S Interesting! I'll keep that in mind. It's good to know these things!
Thanks
Great rig, nice job and great video.
ever think of attatching the top part of the shop vac to the lid of trash can for that extra boost of suction
Good job on attachment and a 10 for the video!
I like it. Nice work!
this is great! how well does it work for picking up grass?
So good !! does it work when mower to collect grass also ? or is it only good for leaves ?
wow if someone wanted to make a homeaid cheap one here is the inspiration awesome build yeah the signs arre awesome think I could get one lol
I have to say this isn't Hill Billy in my book. Damn good DIY set-up! Do you think there is any need to add a vacuum system to this? I have 30 pecan trees and all the leaves fell around the same time. I need to pick them up as quick as I can. I plan on throwing them into a 6ft long trailer. ;)
Cost in materials, humm, I can't remember... I'm going to guess under $100 if you have the tools (drill, pop-rivet gun, snips, etc) The trash can was the most expensive part of the project.
I agree with James Wright, and others, if I use more screen it would probably help with air flow/circulation. Maybe v4 I'll make more of a Skelital frame with fiberglass screen material in place of the trash can...or maybe I hybrid of the two.
AnythingLabor, yes, if the leaves are the least bit wet it's a pain to pick up. I'm going to guess that goes with many leaf picker-upper.
Nice work with the setup. Also great comic relief in the video.
dont worry home depot will take it all back
The hole are helping the leaves or grade get out more
that is an awesome idea you should make one desingned for grass catching
good video and good work on your trash cans.. lol :D would this work for grass catcher??? and i got a john deere d100
podrias subir el video de cuanto hiciste las piezas para el recolector?
Thanks bud. I have some other back yard inventions that I've made, but I need to get put together a video to post.
looks good man I wanna add something like this to my cub cadet I can't see paying $500.00 for something that can be built like this
it looks like the leaves would get drawn up by the mowers blades and just sit on the duct tube without a separate vacuum source to keep them moving, maybe not.
great design how well did it work on rough leaves
ROFL... awesome dude. How much did it cost for the materials? Maybe put it in the description.
I'm doing this. Though I think I'll cut the bottom off and hinge it so you don't have to ake the can off everytime.
Good thought. How would you open and close it?
+Eric Easton Never got to it but my thought was hinge it on the back side and make it high enough so you could swing the bottom up against the back without hitting the ground and latch it. Never got to it though so not sure how it would actually work. Skipping leaf raking this year.
Hey man sweet video what tires r u running on the zero turn
Where do you find the parts for this? Especially the attachment for the deck. Would love to make something like this for my lawn service.
Dislodged your local hardware store. All the parts in the video were purchased at Menards. Check the heating and cooling department (HVAC)
Thanks!
shoudl have a latch on the bottom so you do not have to detach it to dump the leaves
Awesome Video!
You drilled the holes too big, now you should install some screen. Should work better then.
agreed. OR, make a skeleton frame out of aluminum and use more screen material as the waste holder, which would allow for more air flow.
Sorry Mario... but 5 acres of oak trees creates a lot of leaves. The Husqvarna mower does mulch the leaves, but I'm sure you already knew that with your expertise! Maybe if it had spinners on the wheels and hydraulics you would approve ;)
Great concept and video work. :]
What Id like to do is design a blower that mounts to a ztr mower using the existing belt pto
Oh,the things a creative mind can do.I love it"
Too cool for words!
Check out the Big Leaf Bag from Abletotech Corp. Awesome if you have a Walk Behind Mower. It's the simplest yet most effective solution for leave collection with a Walk Behind Mower.
Great ideal, thanks for sharing. Anyone can now modify for their situation and their mower. Joking: I would like to make a system that will blow the leaves and grass down the street about 500 feet away from my house. [ hurray for me and screw the neighbors] Ps. just joking.
Great video! 😆 🤣
What was the size of the hvac u used?
Cool video
why didnt you show version 2 vacuuming leaves?
You need a blower or something to help push those leaves in to the trash can. All that nice shiny metal ain't doing it. I saw a ten year old kid on you tube make a leaf vacuum using a hand held blower worked pretty good to, check his video out you might learn how to get your working better good luck you do nice sheet metal work.
Sick i got a husqavarna 54'' zero turn with the bagging kit which works fine for us