Lawn Vacuum Question -

[Guest]

I recently purchased and installed a lawn vacuum (model 909002799) that I purchased used to used on my 1700 Simplicity. Thanks to some folks here I was able to get it installed correctly (for the most part), but need some further assistance - First - the belt connecting to the PTO is very loose - does anyone know what size belt this should be? I think the belt I got with it is too large and/or loose. Also, I am struggling to figure out where to place the spring from the pully - I initially installed it in the hole in the draw bar, but from some photos I saw (from Dutch) that appears to be too high - does it simply go at the spot in the mounting rack that bends? The way I have been installing it, the belt rubs on part of the engine, which I think it should not. In addition, the belt that connects the on/off lever to the pullys is very cracked - again, anyone have any sense of what size this should be? Now - when vacuuming, I am getting very little suction - is mowing with standard lawn blades ok, or do I need something different? As it currently stands, I must mow very slowly (so that the mower is barely moving), and at that it is picking up only some of the leaves - as much is blowing out of the deck as is blowing into the cart. In addition, the tube clogs very quickly right above the mower deck - I am hoping that the slack in the belts is causing this - namely, not generating enough suction to pull thru the tube into the cart. Finally, when it does not clog, and even mowing very slowly, lots of debris is being left behind - again, I am hoping this is due to the belts slipping, hence not generating enough vacuum, but any ideas from others are welcome. It should be noted that the fan blades spin freely, so I am guessing that just some new belts may solve much, if not all, of the problems. Any insights into the pully spring, the likelihood that replacing the belts is likely to work, and why lots of debris is being left behind is welcome. thanks to all, Matthew

[johnsup]

Matthew, Good set of questions!! The spring does just hook over the mounting frame. In addition, I have been using mine on a B-110 with very good results. I believe that the simplicity part numbers for the drive belts are 105115 for the B-110 (Landlords) and 108505 for the Sovereigns which have a longer wheelbase. These part numbers can be cross refenced to Browning belts at any good industrial supplies store. My B-110 has what I believe to be a somewhat oversize drive pulley, as the new belt is a little too tight and the vacuum has a very strong pull. I'm not sure, but I think that the same drive pulley should be used as the one used with the rear PTO for the old style tillers. Then I think that my new belt would fit properly. I also have questions pertaining to the vacuum system. I have the adapter for my 48" HB-212, as well as the 42" B-110. I have just recently purchased a 914 hydro which is equipped with a 42" deck and the cone clutch PTO. I would like to use a vacuum collector (Simplicity part 990533), with that tractor, but need to know the part number of the required adapter and the lenght of the required belt (perhaps the Sovereign belt would fit!). Colin