Spencyg Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 Hi All, I have a lawn vacuum question for everybody. I'm running a 7016H with a fresh engine rebuild. I use it to mow, tow, snowblow, rototill, grade, etc etc. Its a great little machine for sure. Anyway..I have a significant amount of lawn (~1 acre) and get rather tired of raking the entire thing after a mow. It looks like crap if I leave the clippings all over the place, and raking leaves is the same issue. I've been looking at the tow behind lawn vacuum systems lately as a sutable solution. It seems that the old simplicity units were driven off the rear PTO along with the mower but many of the units now sold use an independant engine to power the blower. I am contemplating building the entire system in my shop, as I have both the tools and the skill for such creation. Should I design the blower to run off the PTO? I would really like to have it packaged with the tractor to operate as an attachment rather than an accessory. It seems that the engine has enough power to run the deck just fine, but I have no idea how much power would be consumed running a 10" diameter impeller sucking grass, dirt, cats, etc. I could go with the independant motor route as well, but I'd prefer the PTO drive. Has anybody used both systems for a comparison? Where might I find a source of vacuum tube in the 8" diameter range? Thanks for your help folks. Spence
Kent Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 IMO, there's one real advantage of having it driven from the tractor -- when you engage the mower deck with the cone clutch PTO, you automatically engage the vac. Having run a setup with separate clutches, I've found that if you start mowing before engaging the vac, you immediately clog the system -- and have to remove hoses, etc. to clear it out. Plus, it would have a shorter turning radius, without the vac motor sitting on a long tractor tongue like the aftermarket units. Plus it would be one less motor to operate and maintain... The 16HP is plenty to run the vac. On my HB-216 hybrid, with Sundstrand, I'm running a 48" deck (MFR # 886) and it drives the vac and pulls the cart quite well, even when climbing some pretty steep hills. I can't offer a direct comparison, since I've never run an aftermarket one. The older factory systems use 7" hoses between the deck and the vac, and a 6" hose between the vac and the cart. I'd caution against going too big, since the larger the hose, the less the velocity (i.e. suction)... Here's one source of hoses that Dutch recommends... http://www.ihozs.com/applshow.cfm?ID=13&selcode=MH&CFID=515448&CFTOKEN=19804859
srwven Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 I have no experience with the engine driven type. But I bought a pto driven vacuum that attaches to the frame of my 7014 instead of the tow behind just this spring. It sucks up the clippings very well. It very rarely clogs or leaves any behind, if it does it is because the grass is too high for the speed. I can mow in 3rd gear (four speed shuttle) if the grass is just an inch or 2 high, 2nd if it is high. I can't wait to use it on the leaves this fall to see how it does. Dry leaves should be no problem. I don't think you will be disappointed with the pto type.
dogboy Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 the only one i've used was made by a co. called "giant" it had an 8hp,B&S we run that wide open, the hose from the deck to the impeller housing was 8in.and it would suck up anything that would fit in the hose--including rocks--we towed this behind a j.deere 425,which always made me think of an 80s cadillac,o.k. until it breaks down. no idea what that unit cost, but i'm thinking of coping it myself.
sun41bird Posted August 13, 2003 Posted August 13, 2003 becareful of the aluminium impeller modles they can crack if you pick up a stone
Ishmael2k Posted August 14, 2003 Posted August 14, 2003 I run a PTO driven vac unit on my 7116H and have plenty of power. I don't think you get as good of suction as with a seperatly powered unit but it is enough. I have a number of large messy trees that drop a ton of leaves and debris in the fall and it handles all of it well. I would like to convert from my pull behind dump trailer to the unit that mounts directly to the tractor as I have some rather tight spots that I need to get into.
BillT Posted August 14, 2003 Posted August 14, 2003 McMaster-Carr is a great place for the hose ( And alot of other useful stuff too).They are out of New Jersey, and I get one day service in CT. www.mcmaster.com
Spencyg Posted August 14, 2003 Author Posted August 14, 2003 Thanks for the info guys. I'm going to start getting some parts together for this little beauty... Spence
lucius Posted August 23, 2003 Posted August 23, 2003 Does anyone have any experience with the "Swisher" lawn vac unit that is sold by Northern? Pros, cons, reliability, etc.? Thanks, Milt Lucius
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