converting a leaf blower

[coolconnection]

Hello everyone, I'm new on here but have been reading for some time now. I just purchased a new PT 425 and it still has less then 1 hour on it. I have been reading all sorts of things people have done to their power tracs, good and bad. I am selling a steiner 420 tractor because it is getting old and they also have their limitations. Anyhow I have a leaf blower that goes with the steiner and was wondering if the Power Trac would have enough hydro volume to spin a leaf blower at high rpm. I don't know how many rpms it would take because it was taking power directly from the engine on the steiner. Out of all the attachments this is probably the one I would miss the most. I have lots of cherry trees and of course lots of leaves in the fall. So would it be possible to rig up a leaf blower to a power trac? Is their a motor that would spin it fast enough and if so where would I get something like that? Thanks everyone and I'll be lurking on the forums somewhere.

 

[J_J]

I believe that someone has already done that. I have the picture, but can not get it to load. It is a blower/vacuum driven by a hydraulic motor, on a green machine.

 

[3238dpw]

This may be the pic that JJ is talking about. I hope that it helps.

 

[J_J]

Here is the other picture.

 

[J_J]

This may be the pic that JJ is talking about. I hope that it helps.

Hi Scott,

How is that leaf vacuum working for you. Is it avg or above avg?
Does it suck up wet leaves and grass?

 

[coolconnection]

I wonder how much it would cost to buy a motor for a blower like that? It might be cheaper to buy one of those push jobs at Lowes and clamp it to my pallet forks and drive it around that way. Hmmmm.

Thanks everyone and if you come across any more pics of leaf blowers be sure to post them.

Thanks

 

[3238dpw]

JJ, That isn't mine. It was from this thread
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/112090-missing-accessory-power-trac-product.html

 

[NJBill]

Brian,
The Turbine Blade, inlet and outlet housings, a 3/4 inch shaft, 9 inches to cut to size required, and a key, came in at about $378. I can't find my Hyd motor price but it is identical to the 48 inch mower motor. The hoses and fittings I purchased at a Parker dealer, that was the expensive way.
I extended the mower sides and back permanently, but I made the front extension removeable, then cut the top to make an outlet for the cuttings. I built the box on a H Depot garden cart. My son had bought 20 feet of suction hose so he gave me half of it. I didn't get the 100% i was hoping for but it allow me to ride for leaf pick-up. I bought the PT 422 to dig, lift, carry, push/pull and all the other things that are difficult with a well over eighty years body, so I'm not really complaining.
I have one of the pushy things you talk about, and I began to hate it, the bag would always drag on the ground as it was filling. I constructed a small framework to the rear with two swivel wheels, now we are more than the best of friends, so I went out and bought another one in the hope I can combine them, and have a 44 inch pick-up. I tried the single one on the forks, but of course you are riding over other leaves with oppsite side wheels.

By the way the Trac Vac requires 3700 rpm fpr optimum use, I measure mine at 4400 rpm withut the mower running, with the needle valve I installed on the mower feed, I can run the mower at about 3000, while using most of the feed to accomplish the 3700 for the Turbine, the Turbine of course is a balanced unit.

All the best Brian whichever way you go, it keeps the mind working as it as been used to for quite a whille. Bill.

 

[coolconnection]

Thank you so much for the reply. I do wish I could keep the blower. It is made like a tank. Heavy but it works so well on the Steiner. With my PT I could even raise it to new heights so to speak. That would be awesome. Any good ideas or a way to convert it, keep'em coming. Thanks again.

 

[MossRoad]

First: Find the RPM that the blower shaft is turning when on the Steiner.

Second: Find the formula for figuring out RPM, motor displacement, hydraulic flow and hydraulic pressure. They are on TBN somewhere and there are many hydraulic calculators on the internet.

Third: IF the math supports your needs, find a hydraulic motor that will do the job, build a bracket to hold it to the blower, attach that to a PT quick attach plate, plug in the hoses and off you go.