PTO leaf vac.

[radioman]

vinzuki, 2 things- one the leaf blower looks well made and job well done. two is the MF trailer. My father has one just like it and it seems like it's the only trailer I seen that is very well built. yours looks newer though. Do you know what model that trailer is ?

 

[vinzuki]

The mower boot is all home made from light gauge steel. The round hose connections are from a truck air tank trimmed down to 8鋳 OD and rewelded. The important part is to make it air tight fit to the mower. I even added a piece of heavy rubber mud flap to the outer edge to conform with the bumps in the yard. Kubota did not make a VAC system for the B series , But do for the BX. After I made this I seen the boot for the BX at the dealer and It looked like it might fit. They may have one for the zero turns as well. The blower wheel (impeller) is from the BX system . They have two models one with a steel impeller and one plastic. I used the plastic and a mounting hub for about $100.I made the housing myself. Blower wheels and housings are available from agri-fab as well. The wagon sits back so I can almost turn right 90* before it hits the blower. It handles remarkably well and don't clog up due to the large hose with a straight shot to the blower. Originaly had the belt tensioner on the slack side but after a couple uses the belts were almost touching as seen in the photos. moving it closer to the large pulley solved that problem.

 

[vinzuki]

That cart is a vintage MF-641 model from about 1976. They shore don't build em' like they used to. I have 3 old MF garden tractors a snow plow and snow blower also. I was going to repaint her Kubota orange but It has to much sentimental value.

 

[joes_427_vette]

I can't see where you used any block bearings on the shafts. Can you explain how you hold the short shafts in position to stay straight while the pressure from the belt tensioner pulles them together ? I'm missing something here. It appears the main body is 2" x 6" tubing. I was thinking the shafts would have to be at least 8" long to fit a bearing on each side.

 

[vinzuki]

you could use block bearings if you like. I chose to use tapered roller bearings like those used in a small trailer. They were trailer hubs from surplus center . I cut off the four bolt flange that the wheel would bolt to, with a torch. trimmed them up in a lathe ,drilled through the 2x6 with a hole saw and weld them in.

 

[Prodirt6000]

Great job!! I'm amazed, haha.

Where did you find an impeller? I'm trying to search for things on the agri-fab website but I'm not having any luck.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Try a local salvage yard... one that takes in scrap. One near me has a ton of lawn decks, snowblowers ect. Your bound to find a housing and impeller to suit your needs. Actually they are not that hard to build either. a couple bearings, flat steel, and a 3/4 to 1" shaft puts one in business.
Vinzuki came up with a simple yet very effective design that I'm sure will be replicated many times. The greatest thing about this site that so may independant ideas show up one can study and fab one with the best of all worlds. Not only does it keep us out of trouble and depression...... you end up with a product the budget wouldn't allow you to buy new. Also a certain amount of pride rests in self construction, engineering, design, and craftsmanship.
So warm up the wire feed, get some steel, and have a blast ! When your stuck come back to the computer with questions. It doesn't get any better where people you never met take the time to help solve some problems. Very true of this site. Besides......... it makes me look bad when I'm the only one asking dumb questions !! Be safe, get creative !

 

[vinzuki]

Try this for parts. https://www.speedepart.com/index.aspx You can view current models at www.agri-fab.com

 

[nh DRAGON]

That cart is a vintage MF-641 model from about 1976. They shore don't build em' like they used to. I have 3 old MF garden tractors a snow plow and snow blower also. I was going to repaint her Kubota orange but It has to much sentimental value.

Yep, You really can't beet the carts from the 60's. I have the ford cart that you can see in the 1966 120 ads. It sat out side for 20 years and It had no paint left on it when I got it but the metal was so think that you would never know it. I love the stake pockets and swinging tailgate on it!