DR XD45 Commercial Leaf and Lawn Vacuum: Built for Pros

We love the fall season for so many reasons—cooler weather, fall colors, pumpkin spice everything, and so much more. However, those gorgeous fall leaves eventually drop and someone has to clean them up. If that’s your job, you’ll love what the DR XD45 Commercial Leaf & Lawn Vacuum has to offer. We’re teaming up with DR Power Equipment to show you more about this new machine and how it can make your job easier.

Buy at DR Power

Advantages of the DR XD45 Commercial Leaf and Lawn Vacuum

Better Build

At the heart of the XD45, there’s a 190cc Briggs and Stratton commercial-grade engine that produces 8.5 ft-lbs of torque.

Surrounding it, you’ll find various elements that support the Pro focus of the build, starting with a heavy-duty 12-gauge steel frame construction.

Four 12-inch wheels make rolling across various ground types easy. Plus, the tires are solid, so you never have to worry about pumping them up or changing a flat.

When it’s time to transport the machine, the integrated tie down points mean you won’t have to guess whether you’re attaching your straps to components that might shift or get damaged while you drive.

The handle is also angled, rather than a straight, offering users of varying heights the ability to find a comfortable arm position and easily adjust their grip without having to stop and adjust the handle position.

That’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Let’s look at some specific ways the XD45 sets itself apart from the competition.

Variable Speed Self-Propelled Drive System

When you’re vacuuming leaves, a self-propelled drive system makes the job easier. DR takes it up two significant levels on the XD45 with its variable speed drive that lets you easily match your speed to the conditions. Rather than forcing you to stop and switch gears, the drive engagement lever on the handle also changes the speed. To go faster, squeeze it in more. To slow down, release your grip until you hit the speed you want.

Having that kind of on-the-fly control allows you to adjust to the conditions in real time and is a huge time-saver.

Higher Capacity

The less you have to stop, the more productive you’re going to be, and that’s why DR went with a 45-gallon bag, 5 gallons more than the XD45’s closest competitors. Plus, the leaves pass through a 1/4-inch thick steel impeller that mulches everything down at a 3:1 ratio. It’s a winning combination that lets you get more done in less time so you can finish the job faster.

Easier Emptying

More important than the capacity is how easy it is to empty the XD45.

Most of the competition uses a folding lower bag design that is suspended from the handlebar frame by a tabbed system and latches to keep it closed. When you empty it, you have to release the tabs and unroll the bottom of the bag while dealing with the weight of the leaves you collected. While it does empty quickly once you have it open, it can be a pain to dump the debris where you want it. Of course, when you’re done, you have to roll the bag back up securely, and if you don’t get it latched correctly, you’ll be spreading mulched leaves all over the property as soon as you start the machine back up.

DR’s design is more like a lawn mower bagger. When you release the latch and pull the bag out, it’s open at the top and the rigid upper frame makes it easy to tip and dump. Once empty, slide it back and latch it in place to keep going. This easy system will have you sipping a pumpkin spice latte on your front porch with your feet up while people using the other bags are hoping to finish up before dark.

Easy Snout Height Adjustment

Adjusting the snout height is key to the most efficient leaf and debris collection. With smaller leaves like oak that can be stubborn, or when conditions are dry and you want to work faster, you need to be closer to the ground to get the highest amount of suction. When you’re cleaning landscaped areas covered in mulch or sand, you need it set higher, so you pull the debris off while leaving the ground cover in place.

Fortunately, DR makes those adjustments quick and easy, letting you dial in just the right setting. Just turn the height lever right for a lower position or left for a higher position. The lever has a large handle, making it convenient for any size hand to grip, even if you’re wearing gloves.

Optional Hose Attachment

DR XD45 Commercial Leaf and Lawn Vacuum with Hose Attachment

When you need to be a bit more tactical with your vacuuming efforts, add DR’s optional hose attachment. It extends your reach by 8 feet and has a 4-inch opening, making it great for cleaning up curbs, around landscaping elements, and other areas the snout has a hard time reaching.

Once installed, the hose stores right on board the XD45, so it’s easy to access when you need it. Better yet, you direct all the machine’s suction power from the snout to the hose with the simple pull of the lever. You don’t have to worry about losing time to install and uninstall the hose or deal with any complicated airflow changeover processes.

Is the XD45 Right For You?

The DR XD45 Commercial Leaf & Lawn Vacuum is built with the high-hour demands of commercial use in mind. While the ideal lawn size is in the 1/2-acre to 3/4-acre size, this is a machine that isn’t afraid to work long hours. Your realistic limitation is how often you’re willing to empty the bag and refuel the engine.

It’s an excellent fit for smaller lawn care crews working on residential properties who want to offer fall leaf collection as a business expansion. It’s also a solid bet for rental houses that need a reliable option during the busy fall season. Of course, if you’re a property owner who wants to step up to higher quality than residential-focused models, you’ll enjoy the XD45’s robust build as well.

As a Pro-grade machine, DR offers a 1-year commercial warranty—up from the 90 days you would typically get on their residential models. If you’re using it in a residential capacity, you get a 2-year warranty. You can order yours directly from DR Power Equipment or from your local DR Power Dealer.