PTO Leaf Blowers?

[cttractor]

Has anyone purchased a PTO leaf blower for their tractor? If so, can you tell me a little about it? I've been looking at GiantVac products, but have no experience with them and also find their prices high for what you get. But I'd like feedback on any brand. I have the following questions:

1. What brand/model did you buy?

2. Does it work well?

3. Would you buy it again?

4. What is the minimal PTO HP you need? They come in various sizes, but is there some threshold below which you wouldn't go?

5. What is a reasonable price for one?

Obviously, I'm considering such a purchase. But I have no idea how well they work or whether they're worth the money. And feedback from anyone with experience using them is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[bullbreaker]

1. What brand/model did you buy?
And feedback from anyone with experience using them is appreciated.
Thanks!

Never seen one in actual use but seen around here golf courses,etc use this brand : Tractor 3 Point Hitch & Pull Type AgriMetal Blowers, PTO Driven and Gasoline Engine Powered.

Also a while ago some gents here on TBN site said they thought at certain tracks Nascar uses them to dry up tracks.

Boone

 

[cttractor]

Thanks for the link, Bullbreaker!

I'm frustrated that the PTO shaft models with no engine cost more (often, much more) than a blower with an engine included -- what's up with that?

I'd really like to hear from TBN members with experience whether or not these attachments are worth it or not. I did start by searching the forums, but haven't yet found a discussion that answers my questions or talks about the issues I'm concerned about. I'm sure at least a few people are using them.

 

[BethesdaEC]

Thanks for the link, Bullbreaker!

I'm frustrated that the PTO shaft models with no engine cost more (often, much more) than a blower with an engine included -- what's up with that?

I'd really like to hear from TBN members with experience whether or not these attachments are worth it or not. I did start by searching the forums, but haven't yet found a discussion that answers my questions or talks about the issues I'm concerned about. I'm sure at least a few people are using them.

They can make those by the millions in big factories, PTO stuff tends to be much smaller custom manufacturing.

 

[RoyJackson]

One TBNer bought such a machine...he posted in the last month or two...

PTO blowers are pretty costly. IIRC, he spent close to $5K...but it did do a great job!! Again, IIRC, it was built by a company named Buffalo something.
I remember this thread since I'd seen the same PTO blower on the local Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks.

Anyway, do a TBN search..not a lot of information available, but if you're interested in one of these implements, definitely worth the read.

 

[VTFireftr]

I don't actually own one, but I did borrow my friend's Agrimetal leaf blower.

All I can say is WOW!

This unit was heavy (approximately 800 pounds). I have a Kioti CK 30, and had no problems lifting the unit on the 3 point arms. When I first engaged the PTO, I couldn't believe the power of this thing.

Just make sure nothing is near the blower you don't want moved. This thing moves both dry and wet leaves with ease, as well as sticks and rocks! Luckily when I cleared my road (1 mile long), I didn't have to worry about hitting anything.

Took about 4 hours total to blow the leaves off my road, instead of 10 plus hours!

If I could find one more reasonably priced, I would buy my own, but they are expensive - even on eBay!

Hope this helps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marc

 

[cttractor]

One TBNer bought such a machine...he posted in the last month or two...

PTO blowers are pretty costly. IIRC, he spent close to $5K...but it did do a great job!! Again, IIRC, it was built by a company named Buffalo something.
I remember this thread since I'd seen the same PTO blower on the local Craigslist for a couple hundred bucks.

Anyway, do a TBN search..not a lot of inforamtion available, but if you're interested in one of these implements, definitely worth the read.

I did find that thread and read it. I'll look at it again. And you're right that there's not lots of info available, even on this site that usually has lots on anything tractor. I might be looking at an attachment that doesn't have widespread interest, and that could be why they're so costly as another member mentioned.

 

[cttractor]

I don't actually own one, but I did borrow my friend's Agrimetal leaf blower.

All I can say is WOW!

This unit was heavy (approximately 800 pounds). I have a Kioti CK 30, and had no problems lifting the unit on the 3 point arms. When I first engaged the PTO, I couldn't believe the power of this thing.

Just make sure nothing is near the blower you don't want moved. This thing moves both dry and wet leaves with ease, as well as sticks and rocks! Luckily when I cleared my road (1 mile long), I didn't have to worry about hitting anything.

Took about 4 hours total to blow the leaves off my road, instead of 10 plus hours!

If I could find one more reasonably priced, I would buy my own, but they are expensive - even on eBay!

Hope this helps.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marc

Thanks! While you don't own one, your experience in being impressed with using one is the kind of feedback I'm looking for. In other words, these attachments really do work well. 800 pounds is a lot, but I can lift that. I'm more concerned about how much PTO HP you need to really get good performance. And then there's that far too high price tage for a relativbely simple attachment -- the votes aren't in on that yet.

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too!

 

[mpham]

My neighbor has one that he hooks to his Ford cut. He uses it
to blow off the golf course he owns. That thing works great. Don't
know the model or horse power though.

 

[freddyr]

Has anyone purchased a PTO leaf blower for their tractor? If so, can you tell me a little about it? I've been looking at GiantVac products, but have no experience with them and also find their prices high for what you get. But I'd like feedback on any brand. I have the following questions:

1. What brand/model did you buy?

2. Does it work well?

3. Would you buy it again?

4. What is the minimal PTO HP you need? They come in various sizes, but is there some threshold below which you wouldn't go?

5. What is a reasonable price for one?

Obviously, I'm considering such a purchase. But I have no idea how well they work or whether they're worth the money. And feedback from anyone with experience using them is appreciated.

Thanks!

I have the giant vac 2000 for my kubota bx 2660. my neighbor has one also. works great. nice to sit and play on tractor. cost is around $2500.00, there is specs on it with a little search.

 

[Glen Watkins]

BUFFALO TURBINE - DEBRIS BLOWERS This is the one Roy referred to. They look nice but a lot of scratch!

 

[DT86]

BUFFALO TURBINE - DEBRIS BLOWERS

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Agrimetal is one of the more common blowers and I have been in places when they were being used. I have been wanting one for several years but havn't found a deal on one yet. Blowers are like all other attachments for your tractor. You buy one for the HP of your tractor. They make blowers for tractors from 20 hp to 100hp. The bigger the blower the more it will move. Check out youtube. I also think Everythingattachments has some videos.
Bill

 

[brokenknee]

Agrimetal is one of the more common blowers and I have been in places when they were being used. I have been wanting one for several years but havn't found a deal on one yet. Blowers are like all other attachments for your tractor. You buy one for the HP of your tractor. They make blowers for tractors from 20 hp to 100hp. The bigger the blower the more it will move. Check out youtube. I also think Everythingattachments has some videos.
Bill

Here is the link.

Agrimetal BW 3500-TP Tractor PTO 3 point Hitch Blower

 

[bubbacuse77]

I have a agrimetal........It rocks, but I only get to play with it about 4 times a year. Durning the fall it just stays on the back of my tractor and instead of spending hours at a time cleaning leaves I jump on and get it done in about 5 minutes. It creates so much force that you have to get use to using it or you will blow the gravel off your drive and onto the lawn.

They are expensive and I kinda fell into this one at a good cost......because my buddy use to own a golf course and no longer has a need for it.

 

[lungdoc]

Very pleased with our Agrimetal 2500 unit used to blow about 10km of private roads. On a Deere 4320 with 40 PTO HP. Well made machine, not too noisy.

 

[cttractor]

Thanks all for your input!

The idea of spending $2,500 - $3,500 on an attachment I'll only run for about 2 - 4 hours a year strikes me as a poor investment. So, I was hoping the result would be that of finding a less expensive model. This is a pretty simple device, just a PTO driven fan in an enclosed cowling. But I guess no one makes them for less money.

 

[sunshine coaster]

I SAW TWO OF THEM FOR SALE LAST WEEK HERE ON CRAIGSLIST, one for 1000 and the other for 1300, in great shape, guy retired from his contract running a golf course, sooo kicking myself for not getting one or even both and selling one to pay for the other, they were in fantastic shape... mad

 

[cttractor]

I SAW TWO OF THEM FOR SALE LAST WEEK HERE ON CRAIGSLIST, one for 1000 and the other for 1300, in great shape, guy retired from his contract running a golf course, sooo kicking myself for not getting one or even both and selling one to pay for the other, they were in fantastic shape... mad

Yeah, that's what I think I'll be doing is keeping an eye out for a good used one. Probably means I'll be hiring people to do the leaf clean-up again; it's too much to do alone manually and I have no desire to buy a large walk-behind machine and have still another engine to maintain.

 

[cttractor]

Another thought is to look into the large mower 3ph mounted vacuums; but I think I'd still be looking at the same amount of money. Though, at least I could use it throughout the summer while mowing, and it wouldn't be an attachment used just once each year.