Modify grill for exteam dusty conditions?

[inboardnut]

I have been getting my 1772 ready for fall and mulching leaves. My mom lives in a timber and I started mulching leaves a few years ago to save hours and hours of hand raking. The Cub has been running a set of Gator blades my dad put on years ago. This year I am going to install a set of Meg-Mo blades.

One issue I have had in the past is keeping the front of the radiator screen clean of the leaf dust. I have been thinking of making a screen extension to mount on the front of the grill. ... kind of shaped like a box, but made of hardware cloth and maybe cover that with window screen or some kind of foam/paper filter material.

This would give me more filtering area before the dust actually reaches the factory screen. I remember some old tractor mounted corn pickers had a filter kit that mounted over the grill.

Anyone ever do something like this/ or have another idea?

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by inboardnut

I have been getting my 1772 ready for fall and mulching leaves. My mom lives in a timber and I started mulching leaves a few years ago to save hours and hours of hand raking. The Cub has been running a set of Gator blades my dad put on years ago. This year I am going to install a set of Meg-Mo blades.

One issue I have had in the past is keeping the front of the radiator screen clean of the leaf dust. I have been thinking of making a screen extension to mount on the front of the grill. ... kind of shaped like a box, but made of hardware cloth and maybe cover that with window screen or some kind of foam/paper filter material.

This would give me more filtering area before the dust actually reaches the factory screen. I remember some old tractor mounted corn pickers had a filter kit that mounted over the grill.

Anyone ever do something like this/ or have another idea?

Are you talking about the grill on the front of the tractor or the screen on the motor intake?

[inboardnut]

I'm thinking of the grill on the front of the tractor. The air intake / filter on the motor doesnt get too bad.

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by inboardnut

I'm thinking of the grill on the front of the tractor. The air intake / filter on the motor doesnt get too bad.

Well adding more filtering material on the front of the tractor won't do you any good but catch more material coming out. If anything, remove the grill while you mulch then put it back on so it all passes out freely. Just my

[ol'George]

The dust is not going to hurt much it is the leaf pieces that are going to clog things. might do more harm than good if a "screen" clogs
Today we use rotary screens on combines to throw off the accumulating debris.
I'd just try to blow them out more often with the air hose.
On the "gators" take them off and use your cutoff wheel to sharpen the "tips"
or fingers if you prefer to call them, it will make a big difference in their ability to break up the leaves.
Try to mulch several times during their "fall" rather than only once @ the end of leaf fall.
Maybe time it if possible, when they are dry, as they just disappear into the ground.
I run the deck a little higher, and in the really thick fall of leaves, I go over them 2x in circles under the trees, works for me.

[inboardnut]

Something like this, except it wouldnt go above the hood... ?

[jimbob200521]

Originally Posted by inboardnut

Something like this, except it wouldnt go above the hood... ?

What tractor are we talking about putting this filter on, btw?

[inboardnut]

Originally Posted by ol'George

The dust is not going to hurt much it is the leaf pieces that are going to clog things. might do more harm than good if a "screen" clogs
Today we use rotary screens on combines to throw off the accumulating debris.
I'd just try to blow them out more often with the air hose.
On the "gators" take them off and use your cutoff wheel to sharpen the "tips"
or fingers if you prefer to call them, it will make a big difference in their ability to break up the leaves.
Try to mulch several times during their "fall" rather than only once @ the end of leaf fall.
Maybe time it if possible, when they are dry, as they just disappear into the ground.
I run the deck a little higher, and in the really thick fall of leaves, I go over them 2x in circles under the trees, works for me.

Not sure if it is original, but there is a fine "window screen" over top of what is probably the original "harware cloth" style screen in front of the radiator. It is the fine dust that plugs the window screen. I do blow the screen off several times each day, but really have to watch temp gauge so as not to overheat engine.

The Gators are pretty beat up and one is bent a little, so I am going to try the Meg-mo's. I like the fact you double the cutting edges with these. I do try to mulch at least once a week when they are dry.

[Shrewcub]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

What tractor are we talking about putting this filter on, btw?

1772. In the first sentence of the OPS original post.

What ever you use just don't restrict air flow to the radiator too much.

[inboardnut]

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

What tractor are we talking about putting this filter on, btw?

A 1772 super.