GF1800 Grass/Leaf Collection options

[tobidot]

I'm looking for a good grass/leaf collecting solution to work with a GF1800. Web searches have only turned up older models for sale with a rear mounted clamshell unit but can't find a mention of it on Kubota's Canadian website. I'm not sure that's the best option as I'm on a hilly property and it looks like it would be top heavy.

I've debated a pull-behind power vac, but there's no hitch on the machine and I have yet to see a trailer hitch option. Plus there's a sticker on the rear weight that discourages this concept in any case. Is there something about the GF1800's transmission that would make it not acceptable to use for pulling a small trailer?

Anyone have brilliant ideas (3rd party or home-built) or am I out of luck? All suggestions welcomed!

 

[sheepfarmer]

I have a cyclone rake on an ancient 18hp Ingersoll garden tractor. When you order a Cyclone Rake, they provide several options for hitches and deck adapters depending on your mower, and there are several sizes of carts. They work well, but a bit of a pain to dump. Check out their website.

 

[Delmar]

I have limited experience with the GF1800, but I have done some towing with one. If yours is 4WD I don't see why you couldn't use it for a Cyclone Rake type system. You might need to remove the deck and fab some front counter weight. (With deck and leaf collector that would be one looooong rig!)

 

[Dave_eng]

Is this the Kubota you have?

If so, you have front pto which may be helpful in driving a vac. Remove the mower deck and go directly off the pto shaft or keep the mower deck on and drive the blower/vac fan from a pulley on the mower deck.

This web site is one of the major leaf vac makers. Kubota in North America has other fabricate snow blowers and other accessories and paint them orange.
http://www.proteroinc.com/

I don't see a configuration of their product that might partially go off your front PTO with a rear collection container. This would balance any load on your tractor

Kubota also owns Landpride so there web site might help.

With the high seating position on your tractor a collection container mounted on the mower deck could work.

Dave M7040

 

[tobidot]

Thanks. That is my mower. Interesting thought to distribute some of the weight up front. I'll have to continue looking for ready made options.