converting a leaf blower

DHS · Oct 29, 2008

Surplus center has a large assortment of pumps. Decide your desired RPM, allow a couple hundred RPM decrease under load, and ensure the pump can handle at least 8 gpm at 2500 psi. I have ordered from Surplus Center and they are good to deal with.

This an example.

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

Dale

MossRoad · Oct 29, 2008

DHS said:
Surplus center has a large assortment of pumps. Decide your desired RPM, allow a couple hundred RPM decrease under load, and ensure the pump can handle at least 8 gpm at 2500 psi. I have ordered from Surplus Center and they are good to deal with.

This an example.

Burden Sales Surplus Center Item Detail

Dale

I think you mean motor, not pump. The tractor already has pumps.

coolconnection · Oct 29, 2008

Well everything I can find is the motor spins at 3600 rpm at full throttle. The pulley on the blower is 4.75 inches OD with a 1" keyed shaft. I am not quite sure the pulley size on the motor because the ole steiner is out by the road for sale. I would guess it between 4 to 5 inches. I found one hydraulic calculator but it don't take pully size in consideration. Any guesses?

Thanks

3238dpw · Oct 30, 2008

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/95167-snowblower-conversion.html
This is a link to a snow blower conversion. but it explaines a little about how to figure it out.

DHS · Oct 30, 2008

MossRoad said:
I think you mean motor, not pump. The tractor already has pumps.

You are correct, I did mean motor.

Thanks

Dale

MossRoad · Oct 30, 2008

coolconnection said:
Well everything I can find is the motor spins at 3600 rpm at full throttle. The pulley on the blower is 4.75 inches OD with a 1" keyed shaft. I am not quite sure the pulley size on the motor because the ole steiner is out by the road for sale. I would guess it between 4 to 5 inches. I found one hydraulic calculator but it don't take pully size in consideration. Any guesses?

Thanks

The motor spins at 3600 RPM.
This does not mean the drive pulley on the tractor turns at the same RPM as the motor. There may be some gearing going on. If the pulley is connected directly to the engine shaft, it will be 3600 RPM. If it goes through a gear box, it may be reduced or increased.

See if you can figure that out or if you can find some literature or specifications as to how many RPMs the shaft that drives the pulley on the tractor turns at.

Then record the size of the pulley on the tractor and the size of the pulley on the blower. This is another area that gear reduction can be done.

Once you have the tractor pulley RPM and the diameter of both the pulleys, you can figure out how many RPMs the blower needs to turn.

After that, you need to figure 8GPM at 2500PSI can turn a motor of X displacement Y RPMs.

coolconnection · Nov 6, 2008

Well I figure I need a hydraulic motor of 4,350 rpm to give me the speed I need on the blower. I found a neat little web site that helped me figure out the speed I need with with the pulleys I have on the old tractor. Now if I get a hydraulic motor and hook it all up. Can I just hook it up to the PT or do I have to prime it somehow so I don't get air in the hydraulic system? I hear AIR is bad oil is good. Or will it prime itself and be ok and not hurt my PT?

Thanks

J_J · Nov 7, 2008

coolconnection said:
Well I figure I need a hydraulic motor of 4,350 rpm to give me the speed I need on the blower. I found a neat little web site that helped me figure out the speed I need with with the pulleys I have on the old tractor. Now if I get a hydraulic motor and hook it all up. Can I just hook it up to the PT or do I have to prime it somehow so I don't get air in the hydraulic system? I hear AIR is bad oil is good. Or will it prime itself and be ok and not hurt my PT?

Thanks

It would be a good idea to fill the motor and lines with oil before starting, although the oil under pressure will force all the air out of the system. By the time you put an impeller on the motor, you may find out that you will need a larger motor, but as you go larger, max rpm on the motors will decrease. Small hydraulic motor, high rpm, larger hydraulic motor, lower rpm. Most of the blower/vac setup uses 5 hp and higher. Most of the 5 hp gas engines run at around 3600 rpm

coolconnection · Nov 8, 2008

So your thinking this might not be a good idea? I know the blower turns real easy by hand but maybe a hydraulic motor will not have enough torque to turn it fast is that what your saying? I don't want to put all this money in it and it not work. That picture with the blower on the tractor lift arms and piped over the top of the canopy to a trailer in back is about the same size as my blower. I wonder how good that thing works. I'll have to do more research before I buy anything. Keep the wisdom coming please.

Thanks

coolconnection · Nov 8, 2008

If everyone thinks this might work I might try it. I am trying to find couplers that would work to attach a motor to the blower. The blower has a 1" shaft with a keyway. If anyone knows of a good site or place to go to get one could you please let me know.

Thanks again