Trac Vac PTO RPM problem. Advice requested/

[Avery11]

All,

I made a huge mistake and will likely learn a hard lesson but just in case...

I own a Kubota B2320HST

Last weekend I bought a used Trac Vac model 854 which runs off a Cat 1 3PH spinning at 540 RPM to make 3800 RMP at the impeller blade.

It totally slipped my mind that with the mid PTO running my MMM, my rear PTO runs at 960 RMP - waaaay to fast for the Trac Vac 854.

I can run my rear PTO at 540 but then the mid is disengaged and I lose the lifting and mulching of the MMM.

They make a model 856 which is supposed to run off of a PTO turning at 850 RPM.

Is there any way to make this work or do I just have to sell it and get out the rake?

Thanks in advance.

A.

 

[roadhunter]

If it has belt drive you can probably swap out pulleys to make it work.

 

[Avery11]

It does have a belt drive; however, I won't get off that easy.

I just looked at the manual which has diagrams of the 854 and 856. There are more pullys in the 854 than the 856. Looks like a completely different design so I don't think ordering parts for the 856 is viable.

 

[TerryR]

Have you talked to the manufacturer or distributer? I found them very helpful, especially the distributer in Virginia who serves our area.

 

[Redlands Okie]

I do not have the charts / math skills to do it but perhaps you can change out our existing pulley wheels to get the rpm you need ? I have seen such charts to convert or figure such information. Now i have no idea on the torque effects downside if any. Just ideas to check on. Complete different set of pulley from the 856 model. Pulley size you need for what you got. I think road hunter suggestion might work. Keep in mind you need pulleys and belts that fit and work together. Shape of the "v" in the pulley to fit the shape of the belt or the flat surface of the bottom of the belt width etc.

 

[Avery11]

Not yet. Just finding out the part number for the "lift kit" was a headache. Trac Vac referred me to a distributer who referred me to a local dealer who ordered the part from the distributer that sent me there in the first place - and I paid over MSRP for the part not including s/h.

I have a feeling I will be told they make the 856 for a reason and I should sell the 854 and buy it.

I wish I could run my MMM with the rear PTO at 540

 

[Avery11]

Could I run at low engine speed to reduce the pto rpm from 960 down to near 540?

I feel like I am forcing this and putting off the inevitable but I have wet leaves on the ground - lots of em.

And PTO trac vacs don't come up on the used market often - especially the 856.

 

[texas42]

Your experience with Trac Vac is similar to mine. No customer service and the run around.
Even when I was trying to buy one.
That's why I bought a Cyclone Rake Great customer service.

 

[roadhunter]

It does have a belt drive; however, I won't get off that easy.

I just looked at the manual which has diagrams of the 854 and 856. There are more pullys in the 854 than the 856. Looks like a completely different design so I don't think ordering parts for the 856 is viable.

Simply doing the math and finding something close from surplus center would likely work. If they have the same shaft size swapping might even be an option.
Surplus Center

 

[KennyG]

I think I would try it with the engine throttled back to slightly overdrive the trac vac (say 600 to 650 rpm) and see if the mower does an adequate job at it's reduced speed. I have a cyclone rake with it's own engine but it has enough suction that I don't need to run the mower deck at rated speed.