applying a cyclone to autumn leaf pickup?

[Bob Hammond]

Ok, this might be a bit 'out there', but my older brother has a big lot with big trees that dump many leaves.

In the library, you might see that I built a cyclone for the shop, and I've wondered if the idea could be expanded to build a cyclone that could separate and deposit leaves in a bin or bag, and powered by a gas engine, or by an electric dust collector that is unencumbered by bags. Any ideas abouthow that could be done?

[David King]

There are big cyclonic leaf vacs that attach to small tractors. Maybe you can just pick one of those up used at the end of the season?
What would happen if you ran a snow blower over a pile of leaves? If it didn't immediately and completely clog up the works for good you could aim the chute into the back of a pickup… I'll bet youtube has demonstrations. There's always someone even stupider than me to try it out first and post the consequences.

[David King]

Here you go:
http://www.cyclonerake.com