Home built leaf vacuum

JAMES NICHOLSON · Jan 14, 2017

I have needed one of these for years and when someone threw the engine/fan in the scrap metal hopper at the Cat dealership where I worked I couldn't resist the temptation to grab it. The engine had no compression and it turned out to be a stuck valve. After removing the head and cleaning everything it runs great. The body is almost all aluminum and the under carriage is steel with a widened MTD tractor front axle. The blower chute sides are made from excavator plexiglass windows, which is 1/4 in. or so thick and is tough stuff. It works great and will make the fall cleanup a lot easier. It will hold about 40 cu.ft. of leaves.

Bird · Jan 14, 2017

Pretty neat rig.

JAMES NICHOLSON · Jan 14, 2017

Thank you !!!

FredH · Jan 14, 2017

Very Impressive !!! :thumbsup:

Fred H.

Joe Malovich · Jan 14, 2017

Move the pivot to the back and add a power dump (winch or actuator). You will hate manually emptying it because it doesn't tip far enough.

BoylermanCT · Jan 14, 2017

I like the clear chute. You can see how well it is working and if it gets clogged. Much better than the typical solid hose.

Thomas · Jan 14, 2017

Built to last great idea on clear chute. :thumbsup:

JAMES NICHOLSON · Jan 14, 2017

slopecarver said:
Move the pivot to the back and add a power dump (winch or actuator). You will hate manually emptying it because it doesn't tip far enough.

It suits me the way it is

JAMES NICHOLSON · Jan 15, 2017

Thanks to everyone for the replies to my Leaf Vacuum post. It was a fun build.
I wanted to keep a low profile on the box as I have some areas on my property that are sloped. And as for the reply about moving the dump hinge to the rear : That would have been a good idea and it crossed my mind to do that but as you notice from the photos the hinge point is on the axle. There is no trailer frame. There is the axle and a "Y " hitch to the front which is also the support for the Motor and fan By doing it this way I could keep the weight of the machine down to a minimum. As far as not liking it, One has to get off the tractor open and close and latch the rear door anyway. Tis not a big deal.
James