DonStillwagon
Member
Attached are some photos of a Toro debris blower model 30823 that I have modified for use with my 1430. The blower is rated 130mph, 3650 cfm at 2700 rpm by Toro. This link gives more information: http://www.toro.com/golf/docs/ceg/gm_3280_3320..pdf the blower is on page 5. The power source I selected is a 1 cubic inch hydraulic motor from the Surplus Center, and it requires a case drain which the 1430 has plumbed into the QT area - it is connected to the original splined input with a lovejoy coupling. I savaged a keyway into the splined shaft with a small angle grinder and a cutting disc (very slowly and carefully!), since I could not find a lovejoy coupling in the required spline count. The OD of the shaft is exactly 7/8" and I got a really tight fit.
I built the QT plate from materials purchased and cut on a large bandsaw while taking a welding class at a local community college. I removed the original casters and wheels from the front of the blower as they needed new tires and they are really unnecessary on the PT - it handles the weight just fine.
With about 25 hours of use this season, I can report the blower works well, and once you learn what you can do with elevation and tilt, the fixed blower direction is not much of a handicap. I used 4' hoses with my setup to give enough flex for the maneuvers. I am using it to clear lawn areas and blow leaves from the side ditches on about 1.5 miles of gravel roads in our hilly area. I just blow the leaves into the woods or up on the road banks. Picking the right ambient wind conditions is necessary for good results!
I built the QT plate from materials purchased and cut on a large bandsaw while taking a welding class at a local community college. I removed the original casters and wheels from the front of the blower as they needed new tires and they are really unnecessary on the PT - it handles the weight just fine.
With about 25 hours of use this season, I can report the blower works well, and once you learn what you can do with elevation and tilt, the fixed blower direction is not much of a handicap. I used 4' hoses with my setup to give enough flex for the maneuvers. I am using it to clear lawn areas and blow leaves from the side ditches on about 1.5 miles of gravel roads in our hilly area. I just blow the leaves into the woods or up on the road banks. Picking the right ambient wind conditions is necessary for good results!