PTO leaf vac.

[vinzuki]

I just put my homemade leaf vac away for the season and thought I would share some pictures . I chose to use the PTO as I have a Kubota B2920 with plenty of horsepower to spare.To keep costs down and not have to use gear boxes I chose to use simple pulleys and a belt to power the right side off set blower.The frame slips right into the kubota draw bar . A short drive shaft goes to the lower spindle which has tapered trailer axle bearings, and 1" keyed shaft. The large pulley and 1/2'' belt turn the small pulley at the blower end at 3600 RPM using the tractors 1000 RPM PTO.The blower uses trailer axle bearings also with a fabricated shaft to support the kubota bx blower wheel. I fabricated the housing from the top of an old water pressure tank. Also the mower deck adapter was fabricated to adapt to the 8" vac hose. My old Massey Ferguson wagon served well as i installed peg board sides and a screen top. The back door opens fully and the trailer dumps. I made a custom cradle with wheels on two store the unit when not using and to make it easy to install and remove. As you Look at the pictures you will notice I had to change the belt tensioner closer to the large pulley and need to make a belt safety guard. I found out real quick not too cross a gravel driveway with it running even with the mower raised .

 

[vinzuki]

Here are some pictures of the cradle dolly

 

[MJPetersen]

A beautifully executed project. I only regret that you did not show us any pictures of it "in action." Or some "before" and "after" shots. Good job.

Mike

 

[mjncad]

Nicely done!

 

[Bedlam]

I like the trailer sides (pegboard) ventilation .

 

[tlbuser]

Wow. Turned out great. Next, a bigger trailer w/hydraulic dump?

 

[veresjwv]

I just put my homemade leaf vac away for the season and thought I would share some pictures . I chose to use the PTO as I have a Kubota B2920 with plenty of horsepower to spare.To keep costs down and not have to use gear boxes I chose to use simple pulleys and a belt to power the right side off set blower.The frame slips right into the kubota draw bar . A short drive shaft goes to the lower spindle which has tapered trailer axle bearings, and 1" keyed shaft. The large pulley and 1/2'' belt turn the small pulley at the blower end at 3600 RPM using the tractors 1000 RPM PTO.The blower uses trailer axle bearings also with a fabricated shaft to support the kubota bx blower wheel. I fabricated the housing from the top of an old water pressure tank. Also the mower deck adapter was fabricated to adapt to the 8" vac hose. My old Massey Ferguson wagon served well as i installed peg board sides and a screen top. The back door opens fully and the trailer dumps. I made a custom cradle with wheels on two store the unit when not using and to make it easy to install and remove. As you Look at the pictures you will notice I had to change the belt tensioner closer to the large pulley and need to make a belt safety guard. I found out real quick not too cross a gravel driveway with it running even with the mower raised .

vinzuki,
Great job, I have been wanting to do something of the same for my leaf situation. I have had a stumbling block finding the blower unit itself. Could you steer me to where I might locate one? Sure would appreciate it!!
Joe

 

[joes_427_vette]

I really like your solution to the angle gear box. I didn't want to spend the 160 on it so this application makes it possible to eliminate it. Also the bulky 90 degree bend in the hose... eliminated. I believe the power unit itself can be shortened up to get the trailer closer to the back of the tractor. My JD only has a 540 but there may be room to negotiate pulley size to come closer to the desired rpm.
Thanks for the idea. A simple design.. yet so effective.

Is the boot on the mower a custom design ? It doesn't look as though Kubota would take the time to manufacture a piece with the features I see. Now that were hooked...... can we see the design ?

 

[Ductape]

I'm gonna hafta tell you as a friend, that contraption will never work !!

 

[Bill Hoffman]

Please,

Details on the boot would be great. I'm using a cobbled up
boot on my Kubota zero turn and it blows leaves all over the place.
Your design looks great.

Thanks,
Bill