Billy Goat TKV650SPH Lawn and Litter Vacuum, Self Propelled 187 cc Honda Engine with On Board 2-Inch Chipper

Great yard vacuum with a couple caveats.Even with your hands completely off the drive lever the vacuum wants to roll forward. If you completely depress the drive lever it is off to the races! For even a large man the pull is uncomfortable, for my wife it pulls her off her feet. The fact that it always is in "drive" makes turning around difficult. However, if it was not self propelled the weight would be unmanageable.Also, unless you lower the head way down it won't pick up pine needles on concrete, but if you have pine straw mulch it will suck that up quick. You can forget about it picking up acorns or pine cones.The reason I gave the vacuum 5 stars is I have over an acre of oak, pine and maple trees and the vacuum reduces the job from one day every autumn weekend raking, blowing, and bagging to an hour or two every autumn weekend, including blowing the leaves out of the beds and away from the walls.If you have planting beds or need to get up against a wall, spring for the hose kit!

I purchased this $3,000 machine to pick up acorns which drop heavily in the fall. I could not be more disappointed in both the product and the reply I received from Billy Goat representative. I read some on line reviews that indicated that if acorns were put on flat hard surface they would pick up. That did not occur even when on flat hard surface. The reply I received was short and no help considering such a lofty price. "Our machine struggles to pick up acorns due to their weight and inability to get air underneath them." That's it. No where in there materials are they transparent that their product cannot pick up an item that really is not heavy. Buyer beware, this company is not honest about what their product will not due especially considering a lot of consumers have acorns in their yards.

Great at picking up leaves acorns and other debris

This leaf vac is perfect for picking up leaves. The self-propelled drive is great for going up even somewhat steep hills but be careful going down because this machine has a little weight to it. My only issue is the optional hose. Do not buy it! It's worthless. You're lucky if it sucks up a single leaf. And if by chance it picks up more than one or two leaves they just end up getting stuck in the hose, and it cost me about $270! I would have given it 5 stars total if it wasn't for that

I purchased this machine in the spring of 2014 because I live in an area with mature trees that drop all year long (sticks, leaves, needles, acorns, pods). After a lot of research I purchased the TKV650SPH because it is self-propelled and has the chipper. After using this for an entire season I'm glad I did. The self-propelled feature really makes using the machine easier to use, especially when the bag is full or on inclines. I also have exposed tree roots in my yard and the self-propelled feature helps with getting over these too. The chipper is what has really exceeded my expectations. You can take a stick up to two inches around and about six feet long and in about 5 to 10 seconds it's just gone - chipped neatly into the bag.The vacuum works great too. I used to mow the leaves in the fall with my Honda mulching mower and collect the clippings. This would take about 6 to 8 hours a week. I can accomplish the same results in about 2 to 3 hours now with better results. This machine was made to collect leaves. Of all the items listed above the only one I've had trouble picking up is acorns in grass (it picks them up fine on a flat surface). If you lift the rear of the unit and pull the nozzle across the grass it does a better job picking up the acorns (more suction) but I've found it is better to move the acorns to a flat surface and pick them up that way.This unit has always started on the first pull. As another reviewer mentioned, it uses a lot of gas but that is because it has such a powerful engine. It also creates a lot of dust but that's ok given the results I get. This is the first online review I've ever written. I normally wouldn't bother to write a review but wanted to help others who were considering this purchase. I also wanted to recognize the company for putting out such a great product. I couldn't be happier with this machine - it's expensive but worth every penny.

If the leaves are wet or in a clump it can clog. If small twigs are mixed with the leaves it can clog. It has ample vacuum when clear but seems to be a fuel hog. The transmission gets stuck sometimes so the machine is difficult to back up. I have not tried the chipper option so no comment on that. Overall a good working machine but quirky.

I have the KV650SPH version - the one with out the chipper. I love this machine, hands down and use it on 2 acres of lawn& paved driveway surrounded by woods. First, I can do the same work in 1/3rd the time from the old tarp and drag method. Second, the leaf pile where I dump it is smaller as the unit mulches as it vacuums. I give it 4 starts as I had an initial issue with the transmission. It is only tabbed into place. The dealership replaced the broken part(s) under warrantee quickly, and reinforced it by tack welding the clips to the deck. The thing has run for more than 25 loads since with no issue. This thing makes a good amount of dust when the leaves and ground are dry and it drinks fuel (about 3 full hoppers to a tank) but I don't care. As I live on the side of a mountain and my back lawn has quite an incline, the self propelled unit is a god send! Also, it is quick to empty with 2 boat canvas type connectors, amazingly easy to start, and aside from that one issue, basically no maintenance. I would absolutely recommend this product. The chipper... not so much. It is only a 6.5 hp so you cant expect much from it. Also the hose attachment is really slow in what it sucks up. It could be useful if you have flower beds or something that required precision. Basically, if you can blow out any of those areas with a leaf blower first, save yourself the money. I purchased and got service from Reardon Biggs equipment in NY if you care.

Once you try a Billy Goat, you'll never go back to sheep.