How to improve leaf vacuums???

   / How to improve leaf vacuums??? #21  
A self powered leaf vac is a huge vacuum cleaner that uses a mower deck as the pick up nozzle. One thing though for it to work properly the mower deck has to be engaged and the blades spinning as well as the motor on the leaf vac vacuum system.
 
   / How to improve leaf vacuums???
  • Thread Starter
#22  
I sold the Trac Vac just now, young man w/ wife & twin babies. $1,400. His yard has 5 large oaks he said and his Dad has an 880 so he knew about it. Started on first pull.
View attachment 831727
 
Last edited:
   / How to improve leaf vacuums??? #23  
Hello gang, I bought an older commander
Cyclone Rake with the smaller bag size
285 gallons about 2 summers ago from an elderly man (93) 3 miles from my house ($600). Put just a zinger ad on Facebook just asking if anyone out there getting rid of their cyclone rake. Tried marketplace turned out to be a joke with prices and people won't return calls or emails.
Woman called me to say her Dad was selling one the commander model 6 hp engine. Put it in garage for later time permitting to work on, but did start the engine, right up no issues.
Mounted on an old Sears rider YS4500 26 hp 54" deck but old 2006. The deck is really touchy been welded quite a few times. So refit the bracket on deck and in between the knurled knobs tightened and bungee cords it stays connected reasonably well.
The only issue I do have is the breather screen on top when I mow and pick up gets closed off from the grass.

Had an idea to make unloading easier was to get a tarp twice as big as the floor of unit folded over. I am going to use copper ground wire to (sew) the outside edge of tarp to mate the two halfs all the way around. When measuring, go from the back edge the the top corners above the leaf intake hole all the up to corners. That's the length of your tarp should be. Attaching a dowl or old broken wooden handle to one end of the tarp I mean the end deepest inside the bag because I used copper ground wire you can place tarp in and bend tarp up to the top of bag feeling where the intake is have to cut hole in tarp and then again sew ground wire in a circle to form a heavier circle hole so it doesn't impede grass or leaves blasting in. On each end of the wooden pole attach two ropes one each side long enough to hang out 5 or 6 feet behind cyclone rake zippers. Probably going to have to glue in velcro strips on both sides top to keep tarp position inside bag so it won't fall over.
Bag gets full, back up to my unloading area, open rear and scrounge around in each corner for ropes, pull ropes out and their just hanging down waiting for you.
Raise the bag into dumping position go back grab ropes and pull. Comes out rolling from the front tarp with wooden handle.
An aside to this is thank goodness I didn't get the huge 415 gallon rake because when this is loaded to just under the screen it makes the mower back tires slide on the dry grass coming out of a turn or corner. But I do love this machine it's amazing and dusty. I don't use it when neighbors are having people over or cookouts.
I do have an old Wright Sentar 61" 23 hp
(stand/ride) I plan on making a conversion (brackets etc). Older fella gave me two deck adapters one fits the Sears the other looks like it's a perfect fit.
Have to check my stash of metal and make a bracket to fit the Sentar. If it works that good with the Sears hopefully the same on the Wright.
Also have a 66" Swisher Brand pull behind 20 hp, again older. Had some carburetor issues, gas solenoid, or just dirty gas so haven't been pulling that for awhile.
Have 3 acres and using 54" plus the 66" pull behind it didn't take long to do 3 acres. Now finally retired now I can get to these projects.
 
   / How to improve leaf vacuums??? #24  
If you can find an older used trac vac cart deal and put your vac on that - they have angled sides front to back making it easy to dump - also if you make the screen top larger allows for more air flow. It takes me 3 minutes to back up, open the rear door, dump, pull away and tilt back, latch and go. Never had to use a rake.

If not would be interesting to see your idea in action!
 
   / How to improve leaf vacuums??? #25  
I run an old Woods Vac with a 72" deck. I've found that the hose size and tank exhaust baffle restrictions were limiting factors. So, bigger diameter hose, high lift blades, and an altered baffle to let more air out took care of all my problems with it. You might RAISE up the deck because air inlet is starved, so suction but no flow. It's a balance. Also, my original hose wore out/deteriorated, bought a new clear one from Amazon. It has a smooth inner liner, not rippled. Grass, leaves, twigs, and a brick once, now go by so quickly that I believe the airflow situation once it 'leaves' the deck is very important.
 

Attachments

  • 010.jpg
    010.jpg
    113.7 KB · Views: 19

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

3 Piece 14 Inch Diamond Blades (A39235)
3 Piece 14 Inch...
Future Excavator Attachments (A41856)
Future Excavator...
LIQUID FEED TUB (A40517)
LIQUID FEED TUB...
2021 SANY SY60C HYDRAULIC EXCAVATOR powered by diesel engine, equipped with OROPS, front blade, (A40018)
2021 SANY SY60C...
2015 John Deere 6115M (A41519)
2015 John Deere...
2024 66in JMR Grapple Bucket Skid Steer Attachment (A39234)
2024 66in JMR...
 
Top