PTO Leaf Vac?

   / PTO Leaf Vac? #1  

TerryR

Veteran Member
Joined
Jan 5, 2009
Messages
1,056
Location
Boone, NC
Tractor
JD 870
I'm looking at getting a leaf vac, primarily to get leaves out of the ditches along our long driveway. Because of the prevailing winds, I currently have to blow them up an 8-foot bank with my backpack blower - if I blow them to the other side the wind puts them right back in the ditch, where they cause dams and then cut the gravel road. We have no lawn, so use with a mower deck isn't a consideration.

From what I see, Trac Vac seems to be one of the better built brands, and they have the only PTO model I've seen. I'm much inclinded toward PTO to avoid having to maintain another engine. Also, some comments I've seen seem to suggest it would be quieter in operation.

Any comments? Anyone else make a PTO vac?

Terry
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac? #2  
Welcome Terry.

I think this is a good question, and Ive subscribed to the thread. I cant offer very much about that idea but I also am interested. I would think that it would be lesser priced considering there is no engine to maint etc.
So I'm sure someone with some info will weigh in ..again welcome your gonna like this forum
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac? #3  
I made up this Leaf vac attachement based on an old Woods canister and a Honda motor (quiet) with a steel 8 bladed impeller. I use 12" hose.

This system works as a stand alone unit, on a JD F525 front mower, a JD 72" mid-mount mower and currently is shown on a JD F935. I considered pto but the need to move between machines, use the pto for other things simultaneously and blower rpm requirements resulted in this unit. The unit you choose should be a real trailer not an extended platform. Otherwise the tractor 'system' handles goofy, especially when full, and could be a problem on a side hill. Maneuvering around trees is also a reason for a true trailer. The very high speed impeller turns grass, leaves, twigs, stones and even a few bricks into sawdust. The trailer dumps out a loaf that smolders for a few days when its time to burn. Horse, dog, deer and rabbitt droppings get converted, too. The key to good leaf suckage is the hose size. An 8" hose can't handle the volume per second that you can encounter when its time (unless you run at a crawl speed). That's not my style. The only thing Trak-Vac on here is the mower chute. High lift blades are better, too. Bottles, cans, newspapers thrown on the side of the road all disappear from my property with one pass of this thing.
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac?
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Welcome Terry.
Thanks. I've finding it useful already.
I would think that it would be lesser priced considering there is no engine to maint etc.
The price is a bit lower, but not much. For one thing there are more shafts and pulleys to get the right blower speed from the 540 rpm PTO, and I suppose they sell fewer, so there is a volume issue. Also, there is little or no competition. On the other hand, there is no cost or trouble to maintain the extra engine.

I considered pto but the need to move between machines, use the pto for other things simultaneously and blower rpm requirements resulted in this unit.
I only have the one tractor, so that's not a concern. The rpm issue does have to be dealt with, as I mentioned above.
The unit you choose should be a real trailer not an extended platform. Otherwise the tractor 'system' handles goofy, especially when full, and could be a problem on a side hill. Maneuvering around trees is also a reason for a true trailer.
I figured the true trailer was a good idea, and what I'm looking at is that. See the Trac Vac page.

Since a mower deck isn't involved, and the area of interest is a rather deep ditch rather than a flat surface, we're talking manual pickup with an extension hose, which Trac Vac and others offer. I first thought of trying to rig a way to operate the pickup from the tractor seat, but looking at the area to be swept, and considering the need to avoid picking up larger stones, I think this is a walk-along job.

Terry
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac? #5  
   / PTO Leaf Vac?
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks, amigauser,

I'd not found any of those. All but the X-treme seem designed around a pickup hood under the unit, which wouldn't be of use to my application. The X-treme would do the job but is way overkill I'm afraid, and I'm afraid to even ask the price. <g>

Used is an interesting idea. I've not found a marketplace for used equipment around here other than traditional farm equipment. I've never even seen a leaf vac in use around here, although I've heard of one landscape maintenance fellow who has one. There must be others.

Terry
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac? #7  
Thanks, amigauser,

I'd not found any of those. All but the X-treme seem designed around a pickup hood under the unit, which wouldn't be of use to my application. The X-treme would do the job but is way overkill I'm afraid, and I'm afraid to even ask the price. <g>

Used is an interesting idea. I've not found a marketplace for used equipment around here other than traditional farm equipment. I've never even seen a leaf vac in use around here, although I've heard of one landscape maintenance fellow who has one. There must be others.

Terry

Try Craigslist.org, under farm and garden. In my area vacuum systems are always on there for sale of all shapes and sizes.
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac?
  • Thread Starter
#8  
Try Craigslist.org, under farm and garden. In my area vacuum systems are always on there for sale of all shapes and sizes.
Thanks, Gittyup, but no joy. :(

Not a single leaf vac of any kind within a two-hour drive. I'm not surprised there aren't here in the mountains, but there are none in Charlotte, Winston, or Greensboro either. Wonder why that is? They have trees there.

Terry
 
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   / PTO Leaf Vac? #9  
What kind of price have you seen for a PTO trac-vac? Reason I'm asking is because i have seen smaller Billy Goat leaf loaders on the internet brand new for just under $2K and am thinking of going in that direction when my Giant-Vac bites the dust. The leaf loader would appear to store in approximately the same spac as the PTO vac would require, and may provide significantly more pick-up power for the $.
 
   / PTO Leaf Vac?
  • Thread Starter
#10  
The distirbutor is quoting just under $2700, with the remote pickup instead of the mower boot (they cost very close to the same) delivered to a local dealer.

Terry
 
 
 
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