Billy Goat (29") 187cc Honda Self-Propelled Multi Surface Vacuum

I have purchased and used many walk behind leaf vacuums. This unit is the best. I have used the old style Troy-Bilt with the large 36" impeller( VERY HEAVY, more of a chipper than a vac). I have used the Sears Craftsman and Cub Cadet style made by MTD(Nice unit). And I used and older Billy Goat that was front wheel drive.

This unit although more expensive, is the best out of all of them, for a few reasons that you might not realize.

1. The bag fills from the top and pulls out on a slide to empty(No Zippers). It couldn't be easier. Filling the bag from the top is not required but does work a little better,
2. It pushes VERY easy and turns VERY easy.
3. Lots of suction, It will pickup plastic pop bottles if your not careful (no big deal).works MUCH better than a tow behind unit on a rider, REALLY gets your yard clean!
4.Very ergonomic, if you have a huge yard no big deal, mine is 5 acres and it works fine no problem, no fatigue or back trouble.

After reading reviews here I might be able to help with some of the complaints.

1. Hard to start: Its not hard to start if the choke is adjusted properly you have good gas, and you pull one long steady pull. Your not starting a lawn mower here, this unit has a large 6 bladed VERY heavy impeller that you must spin when you pull the recoil. It should start first or second pull.
2. Doesn't work well: Don't pick up wet leaves if you can help it. dry leaves clean up best and aren't as heavy to empty.
3. Doesn't pulverize leaves into dust: No vac really does this to be honest. If you have heavy leaf coverage your going to empty the bag often. If you pick it up you have to empty it. See above and vac only dry leaves, they reduce down pretty well.
3. Double the number of uses this machine has by buying the silly hose. You think you wont use it, BUT YOU WILL AND ITS VERY HELPFUL!
4.This machine is expensive: If you think its too much money buy the KV600 model, its half the price and works nearly as well. But DONT DO WHAT I DID AND BUY 4 MACHINES BEFORE YOU BUY THIS ONE. I tried to be cheap and it cost me more money in the end. Just buy the Billy Goat and be done with it.

Should have bought this one the 1st time!

I have purchased and used many walk behind leaf vacuums. This unit is the best. I have used the old style Troy-Bilt with the large 36" impeller( VERY HEAVY, more of a chipper than a vac). I have used the Sears Craftsman and Cub Cadet style made by MTD(Nice unit). And I used and older Billy Goat that was front wheel drive.

This unit although more expensive, is the best out of all of them, for a few reasons that you might not realize.

1. The bag fills from the top and pulls out on a... more

With hole attachment it loses suction . You get very dirty using this product.

I opened the box, read the manual, assembled the handle & bag assembly, pulled the handle and it started 1st pull (way to go Honda). It sucked up large Sycamore leaves with no problem! I look forward to using it again this weekend. Serious commercial quality.

Very happy with the Billy Goat MV650. The vacuum does require a small amount of assembly. Took approximately 30 Minutes to secure the leaf chute assembly to the vacuum and assemble the collection bag to the frame.

I purchased the vacuum with the intentions of using it on the lawn, it performs beyond my expectations sucking up leaves faster than you can rake. I have also used the vac in the garage with the felt bag accessory ($100.00) to suck up dry oily dry sweep from the garage floor. Very happy with the performance and quality of this Billy Goat product.

Very happy with the Billy Goat MV650. The vacuum does require a small amount of assembly. Took approximately 30 Minutes to secure the leaf chute assembly to the vacuum and assemble the collection bag to the frame.

I purchased the vacuum with the intentions of using it on the lawn, it performs beyond my expectations sucking up leaves faster than you can rake. I have also used the vac in the garage with the felt bag accessory ($100.00) to suck up dry oily dry sweep from the garage floor. Very... more

This vac does not reduce the volume of leaf litter! Also, it is a hassle to have to turn off and restart the motor when emptying the bag. Unit is very hard to start when cold. I am very disappointed in this distributor's advise and recommendations. This purchase is a disaster and I need to sell this thing. I could do better raking the leaves into large sheets of burlap.

This is my 2nd Billy Goat. The first had a felt bag and was really difficult/inefficient to unload. What I like best about this one is the top fill design. It's pretty straight forward to dump one load into one paper debris bag. I bought a little wonder bag stand that holds the paper bag up.

I hardly ever use the self propel feature as it rolls easy enough. Starting it requires a vigorous pull on the rope due to the sheer weight of the impeller I guess. It feels like hand propping an airplane but it does start on the first pull usually. The debris reduction is very low compared to my last billy goat. It rarely gets clogged and I have a lot of leaves.

I would buy again but if I were designing rev 2.0 of this...electric start and serrated teeth on the impeller.

This is my 2nd Billy Goat. The first had a felt bag and was really difficult/inefficient to unload. What I like best about this one is the top fill design. It's pretty straight forward to dump one load into one paper debris bag. I bought a little wonder bag stand that holds the paper bag up.

I hardly ever use the self propel feature as it rolls easy enough. Starting it requires a vigorous pull on the rope due to the sheer weight of the impeller I guess. It feels like hand propping an... more

This website sales girl and its descriptions are inconsistent with regards to the vacuum's ability to reduce volumes of leaves. It DOES NOT chop up leaves at all. It only compresses them a bit. You will be emptying the bag every few minutes. You must stop and restart the motor every time.

Also, this motor is very hard to start when cold. 20 pulls is the norm. I am not very happy with this vac. The six blades description doesn't do anything for volume reduction.

For mulching and volume reduction get a true chipper vac.

This website sales girl and its descriptions are inconsistent with regards to the vacuum's ability to reduce volumes of leaves. It DOES NOT chop up leaves at all. It only compresses them a bit. You will be emptying the bag every few minutes. You must stop and restart the motor every time.

Also, this motor is very hard to start when cold. 20 pulls is the norm. I am not very happy with this vac. The six blades description doesn't do anything for volume reduction.

For mulching and volume... more