WHICH: vac trailed w/engine or vav trailer w/PTO

[CampMan]

I’m contemplating between the 6 or so HP gasoline engine type vac/blower or the PTO type vac/blower unit for sucking up the grass cuttings and the fall leaves with my B7510, which is 21 HP with a rear PTO of 16 HP.. Have not had any experience in either. In reading the postings I would say that the engine type is much noisier then the PTO type but how do they match up regarding their sucking and blowing capability? Will running the 60” mmm and the rear PTO with a vac/blower attached slow things way down? I have found many web sites companies on the engine type vac/blower units, however, on the PTO vac/blower type I have only found two (www.Hasty.com & www,Trac-vac.com). Are there others?
THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

[Ryno1]

I have the trac vac 880 with 8hp motor, I love it. Yes it's noisy and it's another motor to maintain but it does a great job.

 

[mark1]

I have a Trac-vac with the 5Hp engine.It is great. My personal vote is for the engine not the PTO.I find sometimes I drop the unit and leave it running while the "wife" uses it to suck things out of the garden.and I go on mowing. also sometimes I use it on my other mower. I have a 1863 cub cadet and a 1450 cub cadet. I originally bought the Trac-vac for the 1450 with 44" deck and it works great.Now I also use it on my 1863 with 54" deck.whick is a lot for the 5 hp unit.had I to purchase again I'd get a 8 or 10 hp with bigger hoses. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[awlchu]

Mark1,

How well does the suction work with leaves tangled within Ivy and other ground cover in flower beds? My biggest problem are flower beds with last year's leaves. If I have problems blowing the leaves out will I have problems vacuuming as well?

 

[mark1]

Mine came with a 25foot length of hose with a handle on the end to use in gardens, It sucks anything out of the garden. (unknowingly it even sucked a bunny nest,and bunnies.)
I even used it to suck driveway stones out of my lawn from winter snowblowing. There are usually some for sale on "Ebay"(look for Trac-Vac) I've had mine for 18 years now.(bought it in 1988)
I've done nothing to it except change oil, and a new vac.hose from deck to blower.Are there any dealers near you that might let you try one? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif