I picked this up on a closeout. Great price. I think this was a good value purchase but only time will tell. I will echo the same build time I have read in the other reviews. I had only one assembly problem in the alignment of the holes on the cart bed. It was easy work with a drill to make it work. I fit this to an older Ariens GT18 tractor.
I think I may make an easier way of removing the deck attachment. It really adds a lot of width to the deck making storage an issue. I think the bracket could be mounted with a better arrangement for easier removal. I'm working on that part, this will also make clearing clogs easier. I find this likes to clog at the deck attachment where the larger area of the chute gets funneled down to the hose diameter. Small sticks that are not reduced by the mower are catalyst to these events I think. I've had 2 each day I used it and I think I can get better at it.
But in the end this monster is effective. I feel much better (my back) after a day of using this machine compared to my alternative way of picking up leaves. It holds a lot of leaves and works well with my mower. It is really really loud so good ear protection is a must. The Brigs engine started on the 1st pull the first time I put gas in it and has always started on the 1st pull.
This thing is long and limits the tractor turn radius so you must be careful or you may bind up on the carb air cleaner and cause damage, at least with my tractor. This is a light weight trailer setup that will provide some options for storage in the off season compared to larger units.
In conclusion I'm happy with the result and wish I had this years ago. This is a great soliution to large yard cleanups.
Craftsman 8.25 Torque Rating (206cc) Monster Yard Vac is recommended by MrMikeL
The Craftsman Monster Yard Vac makes clean up fast and easy pulling leaves, grass, pine needles, acorns, pine cones or other debris from the mower deckinto the collector with the powerful 80 MPH vacuum. You'll get done faster with fewer stops with a capacity 3 times larger than a 3 bin bagger. The Monster Vac has a unique retractable top creating a wide opening for unloading. The retractable top is great to be able to use the cart for hauling purposes too.