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Dumping a DR leaf vacuum suggestions?

I have a pull behind DR leaf vac. It doesn't sit high enough to dump the load in one spot.

I have tried to find larger diameter wheels with no luck. I tried backing it up on car ramps which works but is hard to do. I turned it over one time while using the ramps.

Any suggestions?

Comments (14)

  • 11 years ago

    Provide side and rear pics of you vac connected to towing Etc.
    1. Can your present bed be adapted up âÂÂorâ wheels down with tongue adopted also?
    2. Can a shell or tarp inside your bed assist you?
    3. If the dump is the same location, would a treated wood platform (with 2X6 guides/stop vs ramps work better?

  • 11 years ago

    I can't post any pics, I'm on my laptop with windows 8 and I haven't figured it out yet. My desktop with windows 7 got fried by lightning.

    I posted a link of the owners manual below.

    1. Can your present bed be adapted up âÂÂorâ wheels down with tongue adopted also? I don't think so.

    2. Can a shell or tarp inside your bed assist you?
    I don't think a tarp would work, no place to anchor and too much air movement.

    3. If the dump is the same location, would a treated wood platform (with 2X6 guides/stop vs ramps work better? I would have to build a really big platform, I get a lot of leaves.

    I guess I could build one and after it gets too high to dump I could use my front end loader to move the leaves somewhere else.

    I had a plan earlier, that I mentioned here. I was going to dig out a hillside with my backhoe and dump them there. I ran into a really big rock that canceled that plan! I live close to a rock quarry and I'm sitting on a big rock too!

    Here is a link that might be useful: DR

  • 11 years ago

    From a glance, I see a plate (in the attachment) adapting your wheelâÂÂs axle to the tongâÂÂs frame. IMO two üâ drilled and bolted steel adapter plates above the originals should give you the height as larger wheels or Etc. I need to come up and work for you with all the neat equipment. LOL! I like Modifying when itâÂÂs safe and this looks safe. The engine staying fairly level will be a concern or adapted.

  • 11 years ago

    Not even a dump truck can drop it's full load w/o moving ahead. From Loger's pic it appears it has more than sufficient dump angle. Since you have a FEL I see no problem pushing the leaves into a pile if they're strung out on the ground.
    JMHO,
    Mike

  • 11 years ago

    Good Point Mike. What is the objective or final processing of the leaves? Is moving backwards an option while dumping? Try and get some Pics up of the processing.

    I h/n used Win 8, or tried attachments on Win 7 vs XP. What seems to be different about adding attachments? My problems have been when Boards have upgraded and Bugs h/n been detected or worked out of the processing.

  • 11 years ago

    Mike , the pic that Loger posted isn't like mine! But I wished it was!

    Mine only has about a 30 degree angle before it hits the ground.

    Pulling ahead while dumping wouldn't be a problem. But it doesn't keep dumping, I need more angle. I have to rake the leaves out, pull up, rake again, pull up and rake again! I'm wearing out my mowers starter and my back!

    The steel adapter plates are a good idea loger! Why didn't I think of that! Keeping the motor lever will be a snap, I'm using the top setting on the tongue now and it still tilts back a little. If I need more height, I can make an adapter for it too.

    " What is the objective or final processing of the leaves?"

    I have been dumping them directly on my garden, but I've decided that I would be better off piling them somewhere else to add after planting.

    I'll use them as mulch instead of plowing them under. They a kind of a pita in the spring because they don't decompose very much over the winter. Plus I'm tired of paying $4 a bale for straw when I can use my leaves instead.

  • 11 years ago

    OK, another suggestion. Find a piece of net fencing close to the inside width of the trailer, make it long enough to lay on the bottom and up the front up to the discharge chute. Thread a piece of 3/4" pipe thru the fencing and fashion a couple of hooks to hang the pipe on. Tie some rope on each side of the pipe about a quarter of the way in from the ends. Make the rope long enough so you can hang it high on a couple of more hooks so it can be reached when the dump gate is opened. If the leaves are dry they should roll out easily by hand. If not maybe another tractor or vehicle to do it.
    HTH,
    Mike

  • 11 years ago

    Thanks for the suggestions everyone!

    I made the plates this morning, 1/4'' thick. I think that should be strong enough, especially since I used stainless steel. I put extra holes in them so that I can adjust the height to 4", 6", or 8".

    I got to thinking that I may run in to a problem with the plastic part of the dump bed rubbing against the ground. I have some old mower deck wheels and I am going to mount the at the back of the frame on the the dump. I think that will keep the plastic from getting damaged.

    It will probably be this weekend before I get to install it. I will probably do a dry run with grass clippings since the leaves aren't falling yet.

  • 11 years ago

    Update, I didn't get to do the dry run due to having to work all of the weekends for the last month.

    I got to do one Sun., thanks to the storm that went through here Sat. and blew off lots of leaves.

    It works! I can dump and most of it comes out. Then pull forward a few feet and the rest comes out without raking them!

    I'm a little worried about it tipping over, the extra height makes it more top heavy.

  • 11 years ago

    Update, I didn't get to do the dry run due to having to work all of the weekends for the last month.

    I got to do one Sun., thanks to the storm that went through here Sat. and blew off lots of leaves.

    It works! I can dump and most of it comes out. Then pull forward a few feet and the rest comes out without raking them!

    I'm a little worried about it tipping over, the extra height makes it more top heavy.

  • 11 years ago

    Install a cable to stop the tilt just before the tipping angle. Get us some Pics up!!! Ask a friend to send from a flash drive and older Win Ver, Photobucket or Etc. LOL!

  • 11 years ago

    I've got my desktop back up now Loger, so I can post some pics.

    I will try to take some pics this weekend, if the weather cooperates! Rain is in the forecast and it doesn't like wet leaves, they stick like glue in the suction hose.

    The cable that you are talking about, I can't quite picture that.

    If I put a cable to the mower it would limit my turning radius.

    My yard doesn't have many places that could make it tip over. I have a slight dip near the road, just enough for drainage. It is mostly a gentle slope.

    I have turned it on it's side a few times, once using the ramps and several times running over some fire ant hills. I've got a bad fire ant problem.

    It's a PITA, but I've got stuff to set it back on it's wheels when that happens.

  • 11 years ago

    I thought the tipping was to the rear due to the good dumping angle vs to the sides. Is the problem worth extending your axle and wheels out on each side? Would adding some dead weight bags above the axle on each side and below the frame help? Is tipping what the double wheels are about in the attachment or less damage to your yard?

  • 11 years ago

    loger, I don't have the one in the pic!

    And I think you posted that pic! LOL

    Mine doesn't have dual wheels or gas springs!

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