Grass Collector Question?

[tfrazier 0]

I have a frame mounted grass collector and am looking for a part or any ideas where I might have one fabricated. For the most part it works pretty good but I do not have the original elbow that connects to the impeller housing. The elbow I am using is a cut down version of the ones used by the pull-behind, PTO Driven grass colletors. The elbow itself is not the major problem. There is an insert that goes into the end of the elbow that attaches to housing. The insert has a flange on it that allows it to be held in place by two thumb screws which are positioned at 10:00 and 2:00 on the housing. At the 6:00 position there is a small bump cast into the housing, which is supposed to used to keep the flange from vibrating out of position. Unfortunately, the flange is not wide enough for me to properly position on the housing. When I attach the elbow to the housing, I have to raise it up to the point where the bottom edge of the flange is about 1.5"-2.0" above the opening that leads to the impeller. I don't know if the open space space affects the performance, but I am all of the time having to stop to reattach the elbow to the housing because it vibrates off. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated

[ambler 0]

I believe that your collector was made by PECO and they supply the parts. Its aluminum isn't it?

[wantedinct 0]

Anyway you can post a pic or two?

[tfrazier 0]

Thanks Ambler Do you know if PECO has a web site. I have the original owners manual and parts breakdown for the collector. Unfortunately there is no manufactures name on it. It does have an AC mfg number and according to all of the parts houses I contacted, the part is no longer available. On top of that, the last price in the system was $205.00. I guess when a part gets close to gone, the price of doing business goes way up.

[ambler 0]

try http://www.lawnvac.com/

[tfrazier 0]

Ambler, You were right about it being a PECO. I contacted them today and they were very helpful. Infact it was an amazing customer service experience. The woman I was working with actually got the president of the company involved in my search. He (like you) believes the cone/elbow I am looking for was made out of alluminum and on Monday he is going to look for the mold. He said that if he can find it, he would have the guys in the plant make one up for me. If this doesn't work, he is fairy confident that they can fabricate something from existing parts that will help me out. Anyway it was a great change of pace dealing with a company that really seams to care, even if the the part is 30 years old and no longer available. They could have just told me the part is no longer available and left it at that. I can tell you this for sure. If I ever decide to buy a new lawn vac, PECO will be my first choice. Thanks for your help.

[MikeES 466]

Yes, the elbow is aluminum.

[RayS 80]

If you need the flange number 24 in the picture it is still available through simplicity for $39.83. The part number is 123111 and if you can`t find the elbow you could attach a 7" diameter hose to the flange down to the chute on the deck like they use to on the old models. If you talk to Denny at Goshen Farm and Garden he may have what your looking for. They have alot of old equipment out back and in the barns.

[tfrazier 0]

I need to finish my customer service story. As I said earlier, I contacted PECO about getting the elusive cone/elbow that attaches to the blower housing of frame mounted, PTO driven grass collector. They called me on Monday and told me that they found the mold and that they would get it over to their foundry this week. On Thursday they called me and told me that the piece was finished (including a paint job). Get this, they only charged me $63.00. Remember, this is the same part that my Simplicity dealer told me was no longer available, and the last time it was the cost was over $200.00. The other good news is that they made up a total of 4 of the elbows. If any one is in the market for this part, call Darlene at PECO. You can get their toll free number from theie web site www.lawnvac.com

[Simpleton7016 3]

Tony....you should have them make you up a dozen and sell them on e-bay at $150 a pop!

[tfrazier 0]

Simpleton7016, I had the same thought but you know how that goes. I'd buy them and then no one would need one and I would have another box of stuff in the garage and mama would not be happy, again. However, I did buy a second one just in case. You never know. It was a way cool experience.

[Simpleton7016 3]

quote:

---

mama would not be happy

---

yep....a good life is a happy wife!