If there is an equipment rental place near you? Have you thought about that? They normally have high quality equipment.

Hi PK,
These do work quite well on oak leaves (both damp and dry). I have the Sears 4-in-1 model with the 6.75 HP engine. The machine does shread pretty fine so the bag does hold a fair amount of debris between emptying, certainly more than a mulching mower.

I do have to say they are much less impressive for their ability to pick up acorns.

I got mine second hand on C/L and am generally pleased with the investment.