Homemade lawn vac

Graftongrump · May 30, 2012

I already have most of the equipment I need to build my vacuum. I have a 4' wide trailer that my son picked up somewhere and left here. I am going to install 3 metal wall studs on the trailer, then wrap it with 25 gauge sheet metal, using one piece for a gate. I will then mount a bagger top to the top of the box. After this I will install a 6hp engine & fan on the front of the trailer. To this I will connect the plastic tube from the bagger. I will have to buy some 8" hose to connect from the deck to the fan. I will post pics as I build it.

Agent Blue · May 30, 2012

Tested the fan blower with the PTO today. Was pleasently surprised at the amount of air flow it created. The fan spins at 3375 rpm with no vibrations or problems noticed. The front of the fan has a 10" opening which will be reduced to 8" of flex pipe. The five inch square exit will be modified to eight inch round collar to use the same flex pipe. Now that I know the blower system is functional I can build the platform for the containers and transition for the mid mounted mower.

johnees · May 31, 2012

Sorry for the late reply...here are some pics. If I did it over again I would make it about 4" shorter and take some 1x3's and fabricate a duct about 3" high and about 10" wide mounted to the top, directing the discharge back and not up.

You will need some 6" black pipe and a roof flashing both avail from Home Depot. Cut the flashing out so the pipe will fit and secure with a few screws. The flex tube I used was 7" and fits perfectly over the boot...the boot is pricey but is well worth it, gotta love sears parts.

I used some bicycle tie-downs for the hose release, also clamp the hose just past the notches on the factory boot...should hold it in place.

I highly recommend you do this with dry leaves, best bet is to hit it once with the mower then go pick them up...saves room in the cart. You can pick them up first time around just have to dump more often. Some will say to just mulch them up but I have so many leaves it's not an option, I have to collect them. I tried mulching but when pulverized they are almost 1 1/2" deep in the yard...looks like crap as well.

Go slow and it works like a champ, mine only clogs when I go too fast or hen wet.

rswyan · May 31, 2012

I have owned several (three actually) "Trac Vac" grass/leaves/debris catchers/vacuums .... all of them suffered from various design flaws - the biggest being the ease of emptying the units.

IMHO, the best design in terms of quick, easy emptying has to go to a product that is no longer made (AFAIK): the Giant Vac "Trail Vac" - uses a self-emptying design with a single, spring-loaded door on eccentric arms:

Food for thought ....

jenkinsph · May 31, 2012

rswyan said:
I have owned several (three actually) "Trac Vac" grass/leaves/debris catchers/vacuums .... all of them suffered from various design flaws - the biggest being the ease of emptying the units.

IMHO, the best design in terms of quick, easy emptying has to go to a product that is no longer made (AFAIK): the Giant Vac "Trail Vac" - uses a self-emptying design with a single, spring-loaded door on eccentric arms:

Food for thought ....

Have to say that does look like a good design, KISS. I like that it allows room for the blower tucked in beneath the hopper and gravity dump is about as dependable as you can get.:thumbsup: