I’ve been thinking about one of my toughest jobs with 7 acres of mostly oak-hickory woods … leaves and zillions of ‘em. Did a search on leaf blowers and PTs and found talk about adapting vacs to mowers, that PT once sold a blower unit, etc. Not exactly what I was looking for. Here’s my idea ... the Hesko Storm Front (Hesko Products) appears to me to be a beast of a blower. With that said I’d like the opinions of all you hydraulic guys as to whether it could be powered by a hydraulic motor and adapted to a 425? The left/right articulation of the tractor could point the discharge effectively I believe.
The PT425 and the Storm Front
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stray
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Yes I do believe it would work well. A mount could be made with a quick attach plate. A hydraulic motor of the correct CC to equal the speed that the blade should turn. The 422 and the 425's Hydraulic PTO puts out 8 gallon per minute. I had to figure this out when I made my side mower out of a 28 inch snapper mower deck and blade. It has worked very well and has been used extensively mowing pond banks, bushes, and ditches.
The Hesko Storm Front has a 24" x 5" fan; front and side discharge chutes. Selection of front or side discharge can be made from the operator's seat. Fan speed is approximately 2200 RPM, producing up to 4200 CFM
1 gallon [US, liquid] = 231 cubic inchs
8 gallon would = about 1848 cubic inches
Theoretically 1848 cubic inches would be pumped in one minute. You need 2200 rpm.
1848 ci / 2200 rpm = .84 cubic inch motor or any where close should be alright.
Some people might say to multiply this ans. by .85 to account for a motor efficiency of 85 %. But in my case for the side mower I didn't and it seemed to have turned out perfect.
Be sure to go over these figures to be sure this would be right.
It might help if you look over this tread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/64961-side-mower.html
Pumping: 1 Hp = 1 GPM x 1500 Psi or say 2 GPM @ 1500 Psi = 2 Hp
The Hesko Storm Front has a 24" x 5" fan; front and side discharge chutes. Selection of front or side discharge can be made from the operator's seat. Fan speed is approximately 2200 RPM, producing up to 4200 CFM
1 gallon [US, liquid] = 231 cubic inchs
8 gallon would = about 1848 cubic inches
Theoretically 1848 cubic inches would be pumped in one minute. You need 2200 rpm.
1848 ci / 2200 rpm = .84 cubic inch motor or any where close should be alright.
Some people might say to multiply this ans. by .85 to account for a motor efficiency of 85 %. But in my case for the side mower I didn't and it seemed to have turned out perfect.
Be sure to go over these figures to be sure this would be right.
It might help if you look over this tread.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/64961-side-mower.html
Pumping: 1 Hp = 1 GPM x 1500 Psi or say 2 GPM @ 1500 Psi = 2 Hp
I expected more interest in converting a mower spindle powered blower to a hydraulic pump … guess everyone else hails from the plains, the desert southwest or has a yard vac. Stray thanks for the fluid power info & calculations. Your reply was really on target. Since my initial post I've found my plan seems to have a major flaw. Hesko seems to exist only as a WWW site. I sent two emails asking for basic pricing info … so far no reply. Tried calling the telephone number on the Storm Front site. Got a guy’s private cellular instead of Hesko. Anybody seen their product for real?? I guess I’m going to have to look into buying parts from a gasoline engine powered blower like the Little Wonder, Billy Goat, etc. unless someone knows of a good source for used blowers with dead gas engines.
3238dpw
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KentT
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Don't limit yourself to just old blowers -- also think old yard-vacs with bad engines...
For example, I have a belt-drive vac that hooks to the PTO on my old Simplicity machines that could quite easily be turned into a hydraulically driven leaf blower...
Given that, I'd personally prefer a vacuum much more than a blower. It allows you to pick up the mess (whatever it is) and dispose of it... Chopped up leaves make excellent compost, for example...
For example, I have a belt-drive vac that hooks to the PTO on my old Simplicity machines that could quite easily be turned into a hydraulically driven leaf blower...
Given that, I'd personally prefer a vacuum much more than a blower. It allows you to pick up the mess (whatever it is) and dispose of it... Chopped up leaves make excellent compost, for example...
3238dpw
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I was thinking about this while I was out blowing leaves at a few costumer's houses today. This would be another option.
Giant-Vac - Leaf and Debris Management
Just Mount it on an attachment plate
Giant-Vac - Leaf and Debris Management
Just Mount it on an attachment plate
Sent info about the Storm Front to Chis @ Power-Trac along with order for a new 425 and ask them to consider building a blower based on it. Chris told me they used to sell one. Any body out there own the original PT blower?
woodlandfarms
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Did you ask Terry about the blower. As he does repairs, he may know of someone who has one who is thinking of unloading it, or knows of one sitting around the shop....
woodlandfarms
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Oh, and CONGRATS on the purchase. Please post pix when you get it...
Woodlandfarms I've not talked to or met Terry. I'll look him up and ask your suggested question when I pick up the 425 Tuesday. Chris didn't mention any old stock lying around. Thanks for the idea.
The Storm Front folks might be a good business match for PT. They build a base blower that mounts on many zero turns via adapter kits. I like the horizontal orientation better than the Little Giant (thanks for your post 3238dpw) because of my hilly 7 acres. I REALLY like the Storm is powerfully enough to move a concrete block! stray's great post tells the PT folks pretty much how to begin mating the blower to a PT so I sent them a printout of this thread and hopefully they'll investigate and at least do a prototype. I'll post what they tell me Tuesday.
The Storm Front folks might be a good business match for PT. They build a base blower that mounts on many zero turns via adapter kits. I like the horizontal orientation better than the Little Giant (thanks for your post 3238dpw) because of my hilly 7 acres. I REALLY like the Storm is powerfully enough to move a concrete block! stray's great post tells the PT folks pretty much how to begin mating the blower to a PT so I sent them a printout of this thread and hopefully they'll investigate and at least do a prototype. I'll post what they tell me Tuesday.