Using tractor PTO to run vacuum pump

[prairiegirl]

Hi, Has anyone used a tractor PTO to run the vacuum pump? We would like to do this, but don't know exactly how to set it up. If anyone has info about this, let us know. Thanks, Shirley

[tuckermtn]

would depend on how big the vac pump is. My initial reaction is that using a tractor to run a pump that might only need 10- 15 hp to run at the most (unless it is a really big vacuum pump) is a waste of fuel. If you had an old 9N or a sub-compact Kubota, then it might be a closer fuel wise. plus it would hours to the tractor, which potentially has an impact on resale value.

[almosttapout]

I use a 15 kw pto generator to run my vacuum. work great , it also runs transfer pump and everything I run in cook shed including lights, fan for evaporater filter press ect. The rule of thumb I understand is you need 2 horse for each kw, example at least 30 hp for 15 kw. Hope this helps.

[Homestead Maple]

What rpm does your vacuum pump have to turn to make the vacuum the pump was designed for? Tractor pto's turn at 540 and 1080 rpm. Any vacuum pump I've seen usually is connected to a 1,725 or 3400 rpm electric motor. But you may have a vacuum pump used for dairy applications that turns at a lower rpm than these. Is the pump you intend to use have a cfm that is capable of providing enough vacuum for the number of taps you plan on having? You will have to know the capability/specifications of the vacuum pump you intend to use to determine what will power it.

[Dill]

Heck take it one step further some old farmalls had a vac tap on them.
I would say a waste of power and fuel, plus I wouldn't want to loose one of my tractors for sugaring season. I have toyed with using a PTO generator for running an RO however.

[philkasza]

We were seriously thinking about the same thing for our woods, the only tractor we had was an 80 horse and bigger so even at an high idle we would burn more fuel than a small gas engine, plus we would have had belts and pulleys or a couple gear boxes that would probably wear out mid season. We can not afford to be down even an hour when the sap is running so we went with a regular vac pump and motor assembly. If I were you, I would contact Indiana Vaccum (Authur Harris - owner) to give you a quote on a real vaccum pump. He knows the pumps very well as well as know how much vac is enough to be very efficent. The (extra) money you spend on that pump, you will get back in fuel savings and more sap. Just my thoughts.

Sam
Kasza Sugar Bush