We tried the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum, and it's the fastest, most convenient way to keep your yard free from debris all season long.
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The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is as Convenient as it is Efficient
Updated Oct. 01, 2024
Fall has officially arrived, which means you’ll soon be dedicating hours to lawn cleanup. That is unless you happen to have one of the best leaf vacuums on hand. Of course, you could rely on your trusty old rake or leaf blower to get the job done, but a leaf vacuum can save you tons of time.
Unlike a leaf blower which blows leaves into manageable piles, a leaf vacuum sucks up leaves and other small debris from your lawn and condenses them into bags for quick and easy cleanup. Many leaf vacuums also mulch everything they suck up, making for easy disposal.
We tested almost a dozen different leaf vacuums and were especially impressed by the quick work the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum made of cleaning up over 30 gallons of leaves. This walk-behind machine has the ability to clean up your yard in no time, leaving you free to enjoy all that this season has to offer. We’re talking trips to the pumpkin patch, cider donuts and cool nights outside at the bonfire. Here’s everything you need to know about the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum.
What is the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum?
The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is a gas-powered, walk-behind leaf vacuum similar to a push mower. Its powerful suction allows it to clean up huge piles of leaves and other backyard debris.
In spite of its bulk and weight—it weighs 120 pounds—this machine is surprisingly easy to assemble. It arrives via freight delivery on a large palette. The lawn vacuum is very securely locked down within the box, with dozens of straps that have to be cut away to get the partially assembled vacuum loose. That said, our testers noted that the vacuum does come mostly put together, so assembly only consists of attaching all of the larger pieces to the main unit.
“It was tricky lifting this beast out of its box, as well as navigating it around with the giant hose continually getting in the way. But again, it was mostly just connecting the large pieces together into one full unit,” says product tester Sheri Kaz.
Another reason we’re so impressed by this machine is that it’s loaded with extra features, including an onboard chipper, steel impeller, easy bagging system and optional hose kit. You can even adjust the height to best suit wet or dry conditions.
VIA MERCHANT
we tried it
DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum
This self-propelled, gas-powered machine has a serrated all-steel impeller and on-board chipper to handle large fall cleanups.
DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum Features
EZ Bagger Leaf Collection System
Rather than having to attach, empty and re-attach a reusable bag every time you fire this bad boy up, the DR Leaf and Lawn vacuum uses standard leaf bags that can be deposited at the curb or in the compost pile. The platform holds the bag, and the support ring provides a crimp bar for quick installation. Plus, the latch keeps it secure. Just be sure to read the instruction manual carefully.
“At first, we were confused about how to secure the bag in place, then Annamarie figured out that you secure the bag from underneath,” says product tester Dylan Fischer.
This leaf vacuum also includes a leaf bag caddie that is attached to the unit. It holds up to 10 standard leaf bags, so you have empties on hand as you make your way around the yard. You can purchase another caddie separately for even more storage. You can also buy reusable leaf collection bags if you prefer.
Serrated Steel Impeller
This tough blade mulches everything that crosses its path. In fact, the brand is so confident in this impeller’s durability that it’s backed by a lifetime warranty.
On-Board Chipper
An on-board chipper allows you to add branches up to 1.5 inches in diameter for even more thorough cleanups.
Optional Hose Kit
Purchase an optional hose kit to clean hard-to-reach spots up to seven feet away from the machine, such as window wells, beneath shrubs or along the foundation.
How We Tested It
Product testers Sheri Kaz and Dylan Fischer led the charge and set out to see what the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum was really made of. After unpacking and assembling the machine, they added the oil and gas and started it up. Initially, both testers found it difficult to start.
“Dylan couldn’t figure out how to properly work the choke valve, so we had to recruit some city workers,” explains Kaz. “Of course, the guy (shout out to Greenfield City Worker, Bruce!) was able to start it immediately without asking a single question.”
According to our testers, the choke lever on this machine is a piece of metal that the instructions say must be pushed inward. In reality, it needs to be pulled more to the side when starting the engine, then slowly released as the engine revs up.
Once the unit was up and running, we scattered roughly 30 gallons of leaves across two 10-foot by 4-foot rectangles of grass. One rectangle had dry leaves, and the other had damp leaves that had been misted by a hose. Our testers recorded the time it took the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum to suck up each set of leaves on the highest setting.
For both the wet and dry leaf tests, the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum gave an impressive performance, sucking up almost everything in its path in just one pass. They also appreciated how the chipper automatically turns on without you having to do anything, so it’s always ready to be fed sticks.
Fischer notes that this leaf vacuum isn’t too bad when it comes to maneuverability and feels very similar to a push lawnmower.
What wasn’t ideal, however, was the amount of dust that this unit produced.
“This machine spit out a lot of dust behind it, and Dylan was in the direct line of fire,” says Kaz. “He stopped and had to put on safety eyewear.” The team attributes this to the tubing, which spits debris out toward the top of the vacuum instead of the bottom.
Once everything had been sucked up, our testers noted that the contents of the leaf bag had been mulched up very fine and small. They also pointed out that the on-board chipper is a great feature to have.
Pros
- Handles huge piles of wet and dry leaves
- On-board chipper works well on branches
- Direct bagging
- Steel impeller with a lifetime warranty
- Cleans large areas quickly
- You can walk away from this machine and leave it running
Cons
- Creates a lot of dust
- Too bulky and stiff to make quick turns
FAQ
How does DR Lawn vacuum work?
During testing, our product testing team found that the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is quite intuitive. All you have to do is start it up and push it around your yard until all of the leaves and other small debris are gone. Any branches you pick up can be put directly into the on-board chipper. When you’re finished with your cleanup, simply remove the bag and put on a new one for next time.
How long will my DR leaf vacuum run?
The DR Lawn and Leaf Vacuum does not run on a battery. It has a 1.0-liter fuel capacity and a 0.5-liter oil capacity and can hold up to 50 pounds of debris. You can expect this machine to run until it runs out of fuel or has reached capacity.
What Other Reviewers Had to Say
Verified Tractor Supply Co. user SayCheese writes, “The DR Leaf Vacuum is great! It came on a pallet and needed a small amount of assembly. Only 1/2-inch wrench is required. I am glad I took the advice from others and spent the extra money on the self-propelled. This may sound crazy but, I found operating it to be relaxing. Raking that would take 5-6 hrs. It only took 1-1 1/2 hrs with this machine.”
Kenneth from Little Elm, Texas, is impressed by the performance and convenience of this leaf vacuum and calls it an incredible machine.
“This thing is powerful and vacuums like a champ,” they write on the DR Power website. “However, the real beauty of this machine is its ability to bag in paper bags. Anybody can blow them into a pile, but the pickup is a pain. This eliminates the drudgery of the work and is actually fun. And your neighbors will crowd around wondering what it is!”
And Michael, a 76-year-old from Maryland, calls the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum a fantastic labor-saving machine.
“My usual method has been to blow leaves into a pile, rake onto a tarp, drag tarp to mulch area, run my lawn mower repeatedly over the piles and rake the flakes onto the mulch pile: maybe 6 hours of work 4 or 5 times a season,” they write. “This machine saves me maybe 4 hours each time and lots of sweat. This XTSP has proven this season to be a life-saver. I’m ecstatic, and mention it to everyone!”
DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum vs. Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum
Our experts on the product testing team tested two walk-behind leaf vacuums for comparison sake: the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum and the Billy Goat Lawn & Litter Vacuum. While both units claim to be self-propelled, our team preferred the Billy Goat lawn vacuum’s maneuverability and ability to take quick turns over the stiffer drive of the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum. Additionally, our testers also liked the automated choke lever on the Billy Goat better than the choke lever on the DR.
In terms of performance, the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum cleaned up a large, 10-by-4 area more efficiently than the Billy Goat. The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum sucked up almost everything in under a minute with just one pass. The Billy Goat, on the other hand, took about a minute and a half and two passes to clear the same amount of leaves in the same area.
The other major difference between the two units is the bag. The Billy Goat Leaf Vacuum comes with a reusable, zipperless bag that is easy to attach and remove. However, it quickly becomes stained and unsightly. The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum uses standard paper leaf bags that can be closed and put down at the curb or dumped into a compost pile. And if you happen to prefer a reusable bag, you can purchase one separately for the DR for $85.
Final Verdict
“Huge fan of the chipper on this one! Anyone who has to spend a lot of time raking up branches on their lawn will undoubtedly find themselves using this feature a lot,” raves Fischer.
And that’s not the only thing we love about this machine. We’re fans of the reusable bags that are easy to dispose of, the on-board chipper and the steel impeller that mulches leaves and debris as it sucks them up. One thing is for sure: the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is sure to have your yard clean in no time.
Where to Buy the DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum
The DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum is available for around $1,500 at Tractor Supply Co., Acme Tools, or Blain’s Farm and Fleet. It includes a few paper leaf bags to get you started.
VIA MERCHANT
we tried it
DR Leaf and Lawn Vacuum
This powerful and efficient vacuum cleared roughly 30 gallons of wet and dry leaves in just one pass.
Originally Published: October 01, 2024
