This year's leaf vacuum

TractorDale · Nov 17, 2007

I decided to put the motor/blower on the back and make the container airtight. The main advantages are I don't have to worry about rocks damaging the blades-only air goes through the fan, no sticky grass or anything gumming up the fan housing, and the noise is much less for the tractor pilot. The main disadvantages are the leaves don't get mulched by the impeller and the door is heavy.

A short 8" hose connects the blower on the inside of the door to a sleeve at the top of the container where there is a screen that keeps the debris from entering the hose.

Used 3/4" ply and 2x4's. 1 quart of 2 part epoxy coats the inside bottom. Used a slip roll to make all the sheet metal sleeves.

The unit works very well but the next model from my garage will have a hydraulic tilt mechanism- I got a cylinder and 12V pump from ebay. Winter project.

johnray13 · Nov 17, 2007

Man that's a great set up. I may have to consider something like that. I look forward to seeing the dump cart when you finsh it.

jimmer2880 · Nov 17, 2007

To overcome the heavy door, could you have put the motor and suction on the roof instead?

I like the idea. It has some wheels spinning in my head

TractorDale · Nov 17, 2007

I thought about mounting the motor on the top but would be hard to get to for maintenance and also I wanted to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Also in the next design I will arrange some ductwork for the blower inside the box so no manually attatching of hoses will be necessary-automatically engaging and disengauging with the hydraulic tilting movement-simple design and easy to construct.

Dale

ktm250rider · Nov 17, 2007

why couldnt you hinge the one of the sides? Side dump may empty easier as well.

TractorDale · Nov 18, 2007

Good idea for the side opening. That would make a few things easier. Might even mitigate need for tilting the whole unit.

dale

wedge40 · Nov 18, 2007

TractorDale said:
Good idea for the side opening. That would make a few things easier. Might even mitigate need for tilting the whole unit.

dale

If you're going to make it side dump, why not raise the back side a 6" or so. That was it'll be easier to clean out.

jimmer2880 · Nov 18, 2007

good point on the highter CG when mounting on the roof. Guess that could get kind of hairy.

I like the side door idea also. That would keep from having to back up to the pile. Just pull along side & go.

PineRidge · Nov 19, 2007

Raise the exhaust elbow and point it forward, over the top of the box on hot days.

TractorDale · Nov 19, 2007

Funny story- when the machine was done except for the internal ducting( to keep the leaves inside) I took it for a test run without any exhaust diverter. The sky was dark with millions of little itty bitty leaf particles floating onto me as I pulled the thing along. My skeptical wife and her sister watched from inside the house in disbelief.

Dale