Have you built a leaf vacum?

[alltoys]

I would like to see pictures of the blade that does all the work if anyone has any?

 

[sandman2234]

Hi Sandman - I am embarking on a similiar project as my current 5HP trac vac; which I purchased for a song...just isnt big enough power wise. Tomorrow I pick up a 20HP single cylinder wisconsin engine for the handsome price of $60.00.... I would be interested in purchasing a fan blade should you still have one to sell. I can be reached at Nosleep05@aol.com

Best,

Rich

Nosleep,
I sold the extra impellers to J_J who lives here in Jax. You might give him a shout to see if he has used them, or wants to recoup some of his money.
David from jax

 

[arolland]

I would like to see pictures of the blade that does all the work if anyone has any?

I have built one of these type fans and cut material for another. Here is the cad image of the more complex fan (used a log splitter to curve the blades in a die). They were tabbed to the disk so alignment was perfect. Dynamically balanced to 8 grams after welding, then further balanced by removing material from the heavy side.

The photo is from the simple fan. There are claims that the curved fan moves more volume, however, nothing is proven yet.

Both are 12" diameter. The curved fan runs on a 8hp and the straight fan runs on a 5hp - used to run on a 10hp until the connecting rod wanted to show itself outside the motor!

 

[gtrippleb]

If you look at some of the agri-fab vac systems from their website, you can look at the parts break downs that are available. Looking at these parts breakdowns, it looks like you can buy the housing that holds the blades with the impeller/blades. One of their models even has the ability to be what looks like a chipper. Which probably helps breaking down the leaves along with possibly being able to chip up to 1" limbs. There is an older post somewhere on here that I read about pricing. I think the post was an few yrs old so I'm sure the prices are probably more than what they were then.

Regarding motors, if you have one of Harbor Freight's coupon books that were sent out in early to mid November, you can get their 6.5 hp (Honda replica) for around 110.00. Harbor Freight curently has a 11 hp with electric start I think it is, for around 289 or maybe cheaper. I can't remember off hand.

 

[belleigh]

Hi Sandman I live on the other side of the world in NZ & would appreciate it if you could post some pictures &/or dimensions of your unit I have all the equipment & skills to build a leaf vac what HP & fan dimensions ,Thanks again Bill

If Toolguy's is a one yard capacity, then mine must be... maybe 8 or 10??

If your looking for something to pick up the leaves and put them in bags, one of the best things I can think of is a snapper mower. Get one of the 28 or 30 inch high lift units, with the bagger that has the twin garbage bag holes, and go to it. You can pick up one of them reasonably and they will pick up leaves. That is what I used at the other house. However, out here where I live now, I could fill the Snapper bag by just going to where I dump them, and back, never making a pass around the yard. I finally started parking the truck in the middle of the yard, and dumping the leaves into it, so I could get the yard done.
Anyone who thinks they can pick up leaves and not stir up dust, is using a piece of machinery I want to see. My Giant Vac creates quite a dust storm, but there is a reason for it. The cover that keeps the dust down has several holes in it, and really needs replacing. I think it will slow the dust a little when that is replaced. Picking up leaves on a good solid grass bass will keep the dust down, but sparse grass with open areas of dirt (or sand) allow for quite a dust storm. One good thing about my Giant Vac is the dust is quite a distance behind me while pulling it with my Steiner. The tongue length in addition to the blower are ahead of the leaf catching hopper, and where the dust escapes. Probably at least 4 to 6 feet to it from the trailer hitch pin.

Ductape,
I wasn't offering to let you copy my impeller, I was going to send you one. I have a couple I purchased when I decided I needed a vac, and the impeller getting balanced was the part I was having trouble with. So I bid on a couple on ebay and won them. If you decide to build it from scratch, let me know and I will let you pay the shipping.
However, unless you are a good metal worker, I would shy away from building a complete unit, even with the impeller furnished. The housing alone is a job.
David from jax