[nc400]

Its that time of year to get up the leaves. This is the year Im going to build a MCS for the 400. No blower, just a box on the rear. Since I don't want it to go up and down with the 3 point arms, I'm thinking of mounting it like the rear PTO (to the frame). I just can't remember where to get those spring loaded pins in the "U" brackets. I think they are the same ones on the front draft bar for the deck TO THE FRAME CONNECTION.

And if anyone has built a contraption like this, please post up some pics! This is the direction I'm going. Maybe hydro dump and a bit larger.

 

[mikeduwe]

I think you will find you will just plug up the hose to the back without power blowing, I know there are some bagger out there that dont have a powerflow, but I dont know if they work in wet grass or leaves. I know even a powerflow can plug up.

 

[bob421]

Jake,

Might this be what you are looking for?

Bob P

http://www.etrailer.com/Enclosed-Trailer-Parts/Redline/SL58W.html

 

[nc400]

That exactly what I was looking for Bob. Thank You!

Mike made me nervous, so I mocked up the chute and tube with some thin 22ga sheet metal to test out the flow. It rained this morning here in Charlotte so I thought it would be a good day to test. It seems to work and throws the leaves at least 10-12 feet in the air. I was pretty pleased. Years ago I added baffles around all the blades to increase suction. The performance was night and day after that mod. One bad side affect of the baffles was having to clean the air filter more often.

Here is the mock up:

Now I'm looking for an old oil tank to cut down to use as the collector. Haven't figured out the air exhaust/filter system yet. Any Ideas out there?

 

[dd57chevy]

A fuel oil tank would seem a little heavy . You could pick up a couple of used plastic 55 gal drums cheap . Around here they are occasionally on CL for $10 ea . Not sure if you could put an elbow on that pipe & switch it when the first one got full . Just an idea .

 

[mikeduwe]

Or maybe one of those white plastic square cube things they put food products you see on used craigslist, the ones with the steel cage around them.

Lot lighter than a fuel oil tank.

 

[nc400]

Well I found a tank, and you guys are right! It was pretty heavy so I cut it down to 40" wide. The reason I went with steel is because I can weld directly to it. I could have turned a piece of coal into a diamond between my lower cheeks while cutting the thing in half. I would guess it weighs 150lbs. now. It goes up and down without any problem.

 

[knottyrope]

make connection to top of tank and on the inside have it point down. then add in a screen mesh to opposite side to let air out.

How will you dump it?

 

[2popper]

Air flow is the key; the more the better.
Like Knotty said, put the screen on the opposite side and consider the screen to be 50% or less open after a few leaves get stuck there.

 

[nc400]

Thanks guys for the input!

Well, I'm pretty disappointed in the performance. The leaves are backing up in the front chute before going up the pipe. I'm still fine tuning and making adjustments. Currently Im running a 8" pipe which I think is too big and doesn't create enough velocity to move the leaves up. Do you guys think a smaller pipe will create more flow? Size? Also I had better flow when I left the rear door open. This leads me to think I need more exhaust venting like Dick mentioned.

 

[shadetree]

I know nothing. Seems to me you need more exhaust. You can always block some off if you get too much.

Work on this by adding baffle inside until you get the flow right. Then if that doesn't work change hose (expensive).

 

[rustyknuckles]

I agree with Shady. I think the tank exhaust is way too small, impeding the flow into the tank. Reshaping the collector on the side of the deck would help also, but not as much as opening up the tank exhaust.

 

[nc400]

Yeah, I will make the exhaust bigger like Shady said. It's hard to see in the pic, but the whole bottom is hinged to dump. Last night I tested the flow with the hatch open. The flow was a lot better. The leaves seem to back up closet to the deck. I went ahead and picked up a piece of 6" hose this morning. I'm going to rig it up to test the flow, and if it works make the new deck chute tighter to mate up with the 6".

 

[atvrder300]

Jake,

I have played with several over the years and finally found a really good collection system. The key to a good collection system is the exhaust. You have a really good setup, it just needs more space for the air to exit.
Also from your pictures try to shorten up the flex tube you have between the deck and collector.
Last do not go smaller in the hose size. My first had a 6", second an 8" and now the one I have now has a 10". The bigger the hose the better the flow and less chance of clogging up.

 

[knottyrope]

there is no powerflow so to increase velocity might need a smaller pipe. My MTD used about a 5 in plastic pipe and had no extra blower.

are you running high lift blades?

also how high is the deck off the ground? too close and you get less airflow.

 

[shadetree]

What was the size of your mock up? Do you have a better picture of it?

 

[nc400]

Hi-Lift Blades !!!!?
Part # !!!?
I'm running M112847's and thought those are the only ones available for the 400's deck.

I cut the exhaust port larger yesterday.

Here is the temporary deck chute and its orientation to the deck. I think the angle of discharge is OK. The final design need to hinge up so I can get the 400 on my trailer. Two other changes I will make: easy removal, and angle the rear tube connection slightly upward to mate with the rear tank inlet. My plan is to use the scrap metal that was left over when I cut the tank in half. I think it's 14 ga.

 

[shadetree]

WOW!!! your tank looks great. I hope it will work as well as it looks.

 

[elankford]

Even with a PowerFlow on a 46" deck on a 318, I do not get much suction. I know your deck is much different than mine, but I am interested in knowing what you did with the baffles around the blades. I wonder if more duct and less flexible hose would minimize the inside surface drag.

 

[KB]

I would think a solid smooth hose would be best. my neighbors toro has a clear plastic tube, from the boot to the hopper, and it works surprisingly well, plus he can see immediately if it clogs