Understanding What Debris Your Cyclone Rake Can Handle

Your Cyclone Rake is engineered to tackle a wide variety of organic yard debris with ease. It excels at collecting leaves, grass clippings, acorns, pine cones, pine needles, twigs, walnuts, and sweet gum balls. Rule of thumb: If you’re comfortable mowing over it, your Cyclone Rake is comfortable processing it. Your mower blades do the first cut; the Cyclone Rake’s impeller provides additional size reduction and moves debris into the collector.

Twigs & Branches (with your mower)

• Let the mower do the work. If your blades can safely encounter a twig or small stick, they’ll chop it so it flows smoothly through the Cyclone Rake system.

• When to move it aside. If a stick feels too large for your mower blades, remove it from the path—don’t force it.

• Shape matters. Forked or odd-shaped pieces can bridge in hoses; break them into smaller, straighter sections.

Using Extension Vacuums (Power Vacuum Pickup & Estate Hose)

• Feed sticks end‑first, in line. Point the stick in the same direction as the hose and feed it end‑first to reduce jams.

• Mind the size. Larger branches won’t pick up easily and can clog. Break them down first.

• Airflow & technique. Keep engine speed up, avoid sharp hose bends, and maintain a steady feed.

• If a twig bridges: Gently roll the hose like a rolling pin to fracture the twig and clear the passage..

Debris Quick Guide —

Cyclone Rake Attached to Mower/Tractor

Debris Quick Guide —

Using Extension Vacuums (PVP/Estate Hose)

Remember: The Cyclone Rake is a powerful lawn and leaf vacuum, not a wood chipper. When in doubt, move it out.

Acorns & Other Nuts: Timing Is Everything

For best pickup, wait until late fall as grass goes dormant so you can lower your mowing height safely. That allows the blades to strike the nuts, get them moving, and let airflow carry them through the system.

Protecting Your Investment

Every Cyclone Rake includes a heavy steel wear liner for durability. If you work in sandy soil or on gravel, consider upgrading to the Blue Diamond Liner for added abrasion resistance and extended housing life.

Helpful Operating Tips

• Pre‑walk the area and remove large branches, rocks, and non‑organic debris.

• Keep mower blades sharp for efficient first‑cut size reduction.

• Use normal mowing height for routine debris; lower deck only for late‑season nut cleanup.

• Maintain smooth airflow—avoid sharp bends and kinks in hoses; keep engine speed up.

• If twigs hang in the hose, roll the hose like a rolling pin to crack and clear them.

• For any suspected clog, throttle down and shut off power; wait for all motion to stop before inspecting.

What to Avoid

• Non‑organic materials (rocks, wire, landscape fabric, toys, etc.).

• Oversized or forked branches that won’t align end‑first with the hose.

• Intentional feeding of logs or lumber—outside the system’s design.

Bottom Line

For twigs, sticks, acorns, and most organic debris, your mower blades do the initial chopping; the Cyclone Rake impeller further reduces size and moves material to the collector. With extension vacuums, be deliberate—feed sticks end‑first, in line with the hose to avoid clogs and keep cleanup moving.