How to streamline debris collection: a quick guide to blowers, collectors and more

. minute read

It’s that time of the year again. Autumn is upon us, and with the new season, an old challenge returns for grounds and greenkeeping teams: debris collection. Whether it’s piles of fallen leaves, dry twigs, grass clippings or other materials, collection can be a time-consuming but necessary task that takes away precious resources from the team.

Autumn leaves on a golf course

But with the right tools, debris collection doesn’t have to dominate the maintenance schedule of golf clubs, sports grounds or councils. Modern blowers, collectors and versatile two-in-one mowers are designed to speed up the process, freeing up your team for other essential autumn tasks such as mulching or turf aeration.

This guide takes you through the standard equipment and accessories that can transform debris management into a quicker, more efficient and even more cost-effective process.

Why is debris collection important?

Debris left on the ground is not just a seasonal nuisance, it can quickly affect grass health and the overall aesthetic of a green space. Fallen leaves block sunlight, trap moisture and may promote turf disease, while twigs and other organic material can interfere with mowing, aeration or play on sports surfaces.

Unmanaged, it can create the perfect environment for pests to thrive, challenges we’ll be exploring further in our upcoming article on pest and disease management.

Let’s see how these issues can be addressed by removing leaves and other debris – either blowing them away, collecting them or a combination of both.

Simplify autumn clearance with the right debris blower

One of the most efficient ways to handle autumn clearance is with specialised blowers that gather leaves and debris into piles. This is where Toro and AgriMetal excel – combining powerful airflow with a turf-friendly, easy-to-operate design.

AgriMetal B35 and B50

When it comes to clearing leaves and debris, AgriMetal sets the standard for productivity in tractor-mounted blowers, with models delivering around 25 percent more airflow than comparable solutions.

The AgriMetal B35 requires just 35hp at the PTO while the B50 is designed for tractors with 50hp at the PTO, but both stand out for their balance of power and quiet performance.

Their lightweight construction means less strain on the belt and lower power requirements, keeping operation smooth and efficient even at full throttle. Meanwhile, the impeller design maximises airflow by drawing air through the central drive shaft as well as both sides of each paddle – boosting overall performance. Despite the extra power, AgriMetal blowers are remarkably quiet thanks to an aluminium impeller that minimises vibration and reduces noise pollution.

Agrimetal

Both models ride on a large rear roller, allowing teams to work in wet or challenging conditions without marking or compacting the soil. In fact, the roller can often help smooth imperfections, adding to the quality of the finish.

Last but not least, AgriMetal blowers can be fitted with an optional hydraulic air deflector kit – including a 180-degree deflector to reverse airflow and a downward deflector to lift and clear clippings, aeration cores or matted leaves.

Toro ProForce

When it comes to sheer airflow, the Toro ProForce debris blower stands apart from competitors, delivering greater volume than any single nozzle turbine-type blower on the market.

Toro ProForce debris blower and Workman

The 360-degree rotating nozzle, controlled directly from the operator’s seat, helps remove debris precisely in just a few passes. The 24.6hp Kohler Command Pro engine is powerful enough to handle damp leaves and heavy debris, yet versatile enough for regular light clearance jobs too.

And with a hand-held wireless remote, operators can start and stop the engine, adjust throttle settings from low to high RPM and rotate the nozzle a full 360 degrees – all without leaving the seat of their Toro Workman or similar utility vehicle that can be used to tow the ProForce. This convenient feature streamlines operations and helps grounds teams complete demanding clearance tasks quickly and effectively.

The benefits of AgriMetal debris collection

Another way of removing leaves, grass clippings and other debris from the turf surface is to use machines such as the powerful AgriMetal collectors, which are simple yet highly effective solutions for grounds teams looking to streamline the collection process.

AgriMetal Tuff Vac 4000

The Tuff Vac 4000 is a compact collector that’s ideal for smaller sites and offers extra versatility with two power options: a PTO-driven model for tractors of 35hp or more, or a standalone version with a 27hp engine that can be towed by a smaller tractor or utility vehicle.

AgriMetal Tuff Vac 4000 debris collector

Both versions deliver powerful vacuum performance with 50 percent more exhaust area than comparable models, thanks to a hydraulic counter-rotating brush that lifts hard-to-collect materials for efficient collection and minimum disruptions.

AgriMetal Multi Vac

The Multi Vac is designed for use with tractors of 50hp or more and delivers exceptional holding capacity, making it ideal for large-scale debris management.

Two rotary blades shred leaves and branches at high speed, while a third blade inside the pick-up head throat minimises the risk of blockages and increases the volume of debris that can fit into the hopper.

The Multi Vac’s impeller RPM is decreased to ensure quiet operations despite the high power output, making it well-suited for applications and environments where minimal noise pollution is important.

Lastly, the pick-up head rides on four large rollers to mitigate soil compaction, and the freely pivoting brush collects debris without damaging the surface – often leaving turf in better condition than before.

Two-in-one productivity: mowers with debris collectors

Why mow and then collect separately if one machine can do both? For sites where debris levels are moderate, two-in-one mowers could be an effective, versatile solution that will suit teams looking to save labour without compromising on turf aesthetics.

Toro ProLine H800 for leaf and grass clippings collection

The Toro ProLine H800 is a direct collect rotary mower that combines a high-quality cut with efficient grass and debris collection, making it a compelling choice for busy grounds teams.

Toro ProLine H800

Powered by a 24.7hp Yanmar diesel engine, the ProLine delivers confident mowing even in wet or tall grass while its Smart Airflow system works with the rotating blades to create powerful suction, blowing clippings directly into the high-capacity hopper. The resulting airflow is strong enough to capture wet grass and leaves, making the ProLine an effective tool for autumn clean-ups as well as routine mowing.

With a remarkable 810-litre collector, fewer emptying trips are needed – saving time and delivering maximum productivity – while an automatic sensor monitors the hopper’s fill level to prevent overfilling. Add in the ability to adjust cutting height on the go, and the ProLine offers the flexibility grounds teams need to deal with long grass and autumn leaf clearance in a single pass.

The Reesink advantage

Choosing the right debris management solution is about more than performance. It’s about equipping your team with a machine that is easy to maintain and delivers operational benefits season after season.

With Reesink Turfcare, you benefit not only from industry-leading Toro and AgriMetal solutions but also from:

  • Expert guidance to match the right blower, collector or mower to your site’s needs
  • Flexible finance options to ease budget pressures
  • Trained technicians and a trusted dealer network to keep your fleet performing at its best
  • Genuine Toro and AgriMetal parts for regular and optional equipment servicing
  • Practical training to help you get the most from every machine

Autumn debris may be inevitable, but wasted time and labour don’t have to be. Call 01480 226800 or visit www.reesinkturfcare.co.uk to find the right solution for your debris clearance needs and free your team to focus on other important jobs.