[Nathanael Jones]

I'm trying to cobble together a petrol powered vac system, and it seems after a little research that using a roots blower is probably the best way to go.

I don't need huge truck-mount power, I don't need high pressure water, & I don't need heat,.. just a simple vac system for work in places where I can't get access to electricity. Its basically supposed to be an alternative setup to my triple motor wet vac.

So,.. For those who really know the nuts & bolts of these machines,.. is it possible to get a small blower in an "Off the shelf" configuration & bolt it onto a standard honda petrol engine? Where can I get the parts,.. and how cheap can it be done? I have a spare 13hp honda engine I could use, but I'd like the machine to be as portable as possible, so would get a smaller one if it'd be up to the task.

Any suggestions are much appreciated. 

[Mike Halliday]

i've got exactly that in my unit, a honda gx39013hp coupled to a small blower

watch this video you will see it at 14 seconds

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lnpc52QBf-k&feature=youtube_gdata

this is belt driven which gives a shorter foot print but wider profile. you can direct drive it which will make it longer but narrower.

 it needs  a silencer and a vac relief

[Nathanael Jones]

Thank you Mike!

That's exactly what I'm looking for! I've been searching the net for ages trying to find something like this ready made for ages, without any luck.

I have no experience at all with the blowers though, & this is where I'm caught.

What size blower do i need?
What model would bolt on direct drive to my engine?
Where can I get the blower,.. and since its only an experiment at the moment, can they be picked up cheap 2nd hand?

[Mike Halliday]

with a 13hp engine you can run a 36 roots blower (they are like rocking horse poo to find second hand)

you will need a fenner flexible coupling to join the engine & blower shaft (see picture)

a car silencer and a spring vac relief

its easy if you are good with your hands

[Nathanael Jones]

Thanks Mike,.. I'll keep my eye open for one on ebay,.. I'm not in a rush.  

If  one never pops up, where is the best place to buy new?

[Anthony Rowan]

Thats a good idea. I wonder if you could get enough heat off the engine to heat your water supply. If you can set it up with a pump of course.

[Nathanael Jones]

Thats a good idea. I wonder if you could get enough heat off the engine to heat your water supply. If you can set it up with a pump of course.

You're thinking of a prowler!

http://www.restormate.co.uk/epages/15094.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/15094/Products/TM01

[nevil]

I have a blower sitting around. They are about £1500 new. I would like to get back most of what I paid which was £350 from woodbridge. It's a Sutorbilt 3006 Same as roots 36. May even have some of the direct drive couple bits kicking around but would need to check.

Edited to add.

Richie Mahon had a couple of bowers he was happy to get shot of. If he still has them you may get yourself a bargain.

[Nathanael Jones]

I have a blower sitting around. They are about £1500 new. I would like to get back most of what I paid which was £350 from woodbridge. It's a Sutorbilt 3006 Same as roots 36. May even have some of the direct drive couple bits kicking around but would need to check.

Edited to add.

Richie Mahon had a couple of bowers he was happy to get shot of. If he still has them you may get yourself a bargain.

Thanks Nevil,
I've promised my Mrs I'd take it easy on buying new gear for a while,.. but the second she lets me have a bit of pocket money I'll defo give you a call.