Billy Goat KV601 Lawn Vacuum, 190 cc Briggs, 40 Gallon Capacity

Awesome !!!!

The Billy Goat Lawn Vacuum is a really good machine. Easy to handle , and picks up good.

Awsome

A family relative of mine recommended this machine after having one for several years. Easy to assemble and easy to use. From a cold start it usually starts within 1 to 2 pulls of the cord (with the choke closed). I found the mechanical height adjustment (e.g., needed when going from lawn to driveway cleanup) seems to take some time and effort (in my case I needed to turn the adjustment knob more times than I can count). I wish the machine had instead a few preset height adjustments (lever). One trick that I discovered is when the bag is full (and heavy to lift vertically off of the machine) is to first detach the bag shoot, then push down on the rear steering handle (action lifts front of machine) to the point where the bag sits on the ground, continue lowering handle a little further so that you can easy unhook the 4 bag straps from the machine, then move the machine away from the bag. All in all, I fully recommend this machine.

This thing did not come with what is pictured. It was hard to start from day one. I bought the shredder add-on which was a nightmare to get installed, and then eliminated most suction and barely shredded anything. Finally, the last straw is that the darn thing won't start on its second season. I am yanking on the stupid things like this guy (link removed per amazon review policy) (search you tube for "Don't Buy Billy Goat Products" by Dominick F Miliano). Thankfully I did not waste the money on the hose add on. Way too expensive for such poor performance. I should have bought the more economical Troy Built. I did buy a 35 year old leaf shredder and wood chipper combo (Roto-Hoe) from some ole timer which has no problems starting and its a Briggs and Straton 130200 from 1979. This Billy Goat engine is a Briggs and Straton Model 120000 from 2016. Irrational exuberance in buying this piece of junk. Since my wife was mad in the first place, I held fast to "no Honey, it was well worth the money" until today. At least she kind find some joy in my yanking struggles for an hour out in the yard, thinking she married an idiot.

Just tried out my new Billy Goat. Topped off the oil. Filled with fuel. Started right up. Had to try it out. Works great. Much needed for this upcoming cleanup season.

The vacuum was purchased to clean up fallen crab apple in a lawn. Overall the sucking power is below expectations. If fails to pick up crab apples. It does a reasonable job picking up leaves. The picture of the vacuum shows a flexible suction hose that is not included in the purchase price. Overall the product is very difficult to use. It is heavy and cumbersome and needs to have a power drive option to improve handling. Some factory weld broke in the first days of use. This is supposed to have an improved bag design. I would hate to work with the previous bag model. It is very hard to unload the bag from the machine and empty the bag when it is full of leaves. Think it is easier to use a Toro blower and a lot cheaper.

Description and actual product were spot on. Easy to assemble. Great pickup power. If I had one complaint it would be that for the price they could have included oil for the engine. It was very well marked that it was shipped without oil. But having a bottle of oil in there would have saved a trip to the hardware store.