orchard debris/leaf vacuum
- Thread starter StPat
- Start date
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stuartshomepc
Bronze Member
There are some large vacuum/ Blowers out there and here are some links to them.
http://www.toro.com/golf/docs/brochures/db_400_600_800.pdf
Giant-Vac Leaf Blowers
Minuteman Parker Portable Truck Loader 16 HP, 10in x 15ft. Hose, Model# PL09616 | Blowers | Northern Tool + Equipment
I am sure that the impeller can be purchased new (at an inflated cost). I would ask the grounds keeper from a large golf course and ask who services their equipment and hook up with that guy to see if they have any blown engine units, or parts. Or search some on the equipment dealers to see who has blowers/ broken stuff that you could salvage parts from.
Stuart
yankeerider
Platinum Member
Others here have reported that most manufacturers are unwilling to sell just impellers and housings to help you build your own. Someone reported that one manufacturer required a serial no. before supplying a replacement impeller.
If you can weld, its easy to make your own. I did a 6 blade impeller replacement and a cage from flat steel. It has VERY high suction and will even pull a brick up from my driveway edging if I'm not careful. Pulled one of my gloves off once when clearing the inlet. Counted all my fingers on that hand afterwards ! The initial problem I had with it was insufficient inlet size, once I went to 12" it worked very well. I attach it to my 6' mower decks (front and a mid mount job). Now the only problem is insufficient trailer capacity. There are several commercially available blowers and suckers that you can adapt for your specific use. TracVac comes to mind. I've seen some versions of this that bolt on to a rotary mower deck that are belt driven, too. Is your mower really a real reel type? My sperience with green's mowers is that of reel cutters. I made an adaptor up for my sucker using a capped piece of 12" dia. PVC pipe that had a 2 inch slit in it to receive the clippings. It worked pretty well on short clippings but plugged with leaves and longer residue. BTW: 12" rubber hose is pretty expensive. I recall paying $10 a foot for the stuff....
