Leaf Vac hose size?

[Bedlam]

I am looking for ideas and maybe experience to solve a decision for me.
I am using a standard 5 hp chipper shredder to make a leaf vacuum.
The shredder is mounted on a box trailer, and the outlet into the box.
I have made a "plug" for the wood chipper end.(to increase suction loss).
I plan to make a collector that will go on the ride on mower discharge .
An 8 inch hose would be too large for the inlet on the chipper, so I am torn between the 6 and 7 inch hose.
I believe the 6 inch would work fine, as the leaves would be pre-chopped in the mower, but I would also like to be able to disconnect the hose and use it to vacuum and I think the 7 inch would be a better choice.
Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks
Allan

 

[Dusty]

The larger the hose diameter, the less likely it is to clog. I would go with the largest that you can handle. If you have a hose that is too large, then the pressure that is forcing the material through the hose will diminish. It is a balancing act..
Dusty

 

[dillo99]

I ordered this stuff in the 6". It works well.

Flexible Hose

With dry leaves I have not had any clogging problems - wet leaves I had some clogging when using the hose on the mower but NOT when using it just as a vacuum.

I thought about 8" but was worried about decreasing my suction.

Mike

 

[Wilburn Cox]

I ordered this stuff in the 6". It works well.

Flexible Hose

With dry leaves I have not had any clogging problems - wet leaves I had some clogging when using the hose on the mower but NOT when using it just as a vacuum.

I thought about 8" but was worried about decreasing my suction.

Mike

Hi Mike: I was searching TBN for ideas on converting a chipper/shredder to atow behind leaf vacuum. Two years ago I bought an Agrifab chipper/shredder with a 10 HP engine on it. the unit was one year old and in perfect shape, had been kept inside a shop. I have 4 acres with about 100 oak trees and purchased the machine with the idea of converting it to a leaf vacuum. I subscribe to a magazine called "Farm Show" and saw an article with pictures of a Craftsman 5.5 HP chipper/shredder which a man converted to a vacuum. I have spent hours searching TBN and other sites getting ideas for a vac system. I think by plugging the chipper intake hole with steel plate as you did that it would create enough vacuum.
Would you please msg me or email me as to how your conversion has worked for you" I would sincerely appreciate it. I would hate to strip my perfectely good chipper/shredder down and find that there wasn't enough suction. I have read many posts on TBN where people have said it would not work because the shredded has blades instead of fan type blade and would NOT create enough vacuum.
Email; wilburncox@embarqmail.com
Thanks and have a fantastic day.
Red Cox Stephenville TX

 

[zzvyb6]

I have found that hose size depends on mower deck width and hose length. An 8" hose worked OK for me with a 48" deck, but a 12" is needed for my 72" deck. Length is set by blower/sucker fan inlet to mower deck outlet in the sharpest turn position you can make.