Has anyone tried using a Billygoat or such for final clean-up, and found it better ($that is from a management, not grounders veiwpoint$) than raking?

Reply to post by John S, on January 27, 1999 at 23:41:29:

I bought a 5HP push type blower and turned it around to make a large vacuum. In use, I fing that it cannot be beat for cleaning out leaves from shrub beds. Care must be taken because it will suck up rocks too. So far I have not broken any fins in the vacuum, but the rocks makea heck of a racket. Be sure that the bag is in GREAT shape so the rock does not go through the bag. Another option would be to put a deflector in the discharage tube to ricochet the rocks down.

In open areas a blower will work better I think. From what I have learned about mechanics it takes A LOT of power to provide a vacuum with equal power to a blower. In other words, you might be able to blow with a hand held blower but need a 5 HP vacuum to do the same job. More noise, cost, and bulky machinery. When we use the blower, one person with a rake goes ahead of the blower to move the large stuff. Using two people gets the job done very quickly.

What have you found?

Tom

Reply to post by John S, on January 27, 1999 at 23:41:29:

I haven't used a Billygoat but have been highly recommended. Actually I would like to get some information on the Billygoat. Does anyone know where I could obtain information?

Reply to post by Gerald Landby, on January 27, 1999 at 23:41:29:

I'm going to rent one for a while come march when I do my big push in shrub reductions. I like the looks, I think they have a flail system in the vac snout and heavy duty plenum. Be a good thing for cleanup after deadwooding a gleditsia! If there's onr thing I hate its the cleanup.

If pruning is an art, the cleanups the signature.

Reply to post by Tom Dunlap, on January 27, 1999 at 23:41:29:

I prefer using blowers. I use a Stihl BR400 blower. I highly recommend this machine. I have done the technique as you mentioned with two people. This works very well. I inquired about the Billygoat vacuum. I would like to find information on one. I have had a hard time finding information on the internet. I plan on using the Billygoat on the parking lots and streets here on Carroll College campus. Currently, I use work study students and The stihl blower and brooms. I seen my predessor before me in this message post inquiring also. I am not sure of his needs but I would like to encourage more discussion.