The PT425 and the Storm Front

[DCWhitley]

I asked about a blower when I was down there in March and Chris said there wasn't any interest back when they made them and there weren't any left around. I'd be real interested if you here from Storm Front. I spend alot of time moving leaves in the Fall and with spring clean-up. It would be interesting to hear what Terry would say, I didn't think to ask him after talking to Chris.

 

[smartguyz]

I dunno. I agree with the guys. I have a lot of leaves on my 2+ acres (I'm sure you have a LOT more) but I dislike blowing them around. I ended up buying a lawn tractor with a power-blower bagger system. Worked fantastically well, but it was really too expensive to just have around for the once a year job, so I sold it. I then purchased a really cheapo Snapper riding mower and it did a great job picking it all up and bagging it, but then the tranny on it broke and I recycled it.

If I can make enough room in the wallet, I would look at the lawn vacuum, and adapt it for use with the front fine cut mower. One of the TBN members did this years ago, but I can't remember his name. It was a brilliant solution, but consisted of a tow-behind power vacuum system, hooked to the fine cut mower. The Mower had a big slot cut in the deck, where he hooked the big hose up. He had a method of reversing the adaptation, as I recall. You guys remember? Wasn't it Ed?

Rob

P.S. Found the link. Check out the photos:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/power-trac/27074-vac-pt-425-a.html

 

[NJBill]

the collection box is home made to mount on a 4 x 2 Home Depot garden cart, it is made to be pulled or pushed by the pin, and a wooden block which holds the cart to the rear section of the PT thereby allowing the caster wheels at the back to "follow" the PT body either way. the sun cover is simply to allow easier movement for the hose. The body of the finish mower was cut to allow leaf pick-up, or if I wish when mowing to have side discharge, normally keep it blocked for mulching mode. I purchased a Trac Vac turbine with 6 inch adapter.The turbine is powered by the PTO at the same time as the mower, the mower hydraulic feed is adjustable to leave majority of the power for the Trac Vac.
It works.
This year hope to make modsfor improvement.
Lots of luck whoever is trying something, it kept me busy for a while, I have to take it easy at 86.

 

[MossRoad]

...I have to take it easy at 86.

Ha! You're probably sharper than most of us 40 somethings!

 

[PTOuser]

Went back to Tazwell Monday. Found out from Terry that Power-Trac only made one debris blower then gave up on the idea of making blowers ... didn't ask why. Chis and Terry agreed to talk with Engineering about the possibility of building one using the Storm Front if I buy a blower. Terry remarked thathe liked the horizontal orientation of the Hesko blower. The previous Friday I Googled Hesko's phone number which gave a person's name in the Detroit area. E-mailed him personally asking cost of a blower without mounting hardware. So far no reply. Not sure if Hesko is real or not but WWW site is still up. Hope they are 'cause I believe the 425/Storm Front would be a perfect match.