Dust Deputy + Yard Vac = Crazy Idea?

[Odd-job]

Hi GJ, have a bit of a love/hate relationship with my 8 hp billy goat yard vac. While it makes yard and street clean up a breeze, it is loud, heavy, but worst of all blows dust through the bag onto the user. A combination of sweat from manhandling the 100+ pound beast and the dust requires a detailed bodily scrub down after every use. Contemplating somehow modding a dust deputy to it. Wish they came in an 8 inch version, but the largest they come in is 6 inch:

https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-deputy/dust-collector-kits/super-dust-deputy-6-inch-cyclone-separator?gclid=CjwKCAjwn6GGBhADEiwAruUcKlcDxEYrXPvnDkipyEzEiBTM5tB3uZv1jEzYu0O3u3hLjuQYWxiGpxoCwooQAvD_BwE

Please convince me not to do this... which hopefully is a semi quick answer...

Some questions as contemplate this:
- Do dust deputies work horizontally? Always see them mounted vertically on top of a trash can next to dust collector. I guess this isn't mandatory, but was hoping to have some mounting options.
- Do dust deputies only work off of suction? The billy goat would push air into the dust deputy vs a typical application where the a shop vac or dust collector is pulling air through the dust deputy. Guessing I just need to figure out a way to keep the hose, dusty deputy, and trash can secure
- Assuming the above works. Would it be worth installing a air filter on the other side of the dusty deputy? Guess I could wait and see how much blows out the other end...
- Any other questions I should be asking?

At least I am no longer complaining about the B&S updraft carb anymore which took 133 posts to resolve

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/b-s-industrial-commercial-small-engine-wisdom-needed.428040/

 

[Denwood]

Cyclonic collectors will need to be upright (gravity has a role)...and you would need a larger collector for your application as a 5 gallon bucket would fill up quickly. The blow thing should be fine as the air flow would be the same...you would connect your Goat output to the DD input. Yes, you would want a filter after the DD, however it likely won't see much debris as long as your collector bucket is large enough.

The issue will likely be the rated CFM of the larger dust deputy vs what an 8hp vacuum is outputting...it may be too restrictive. You can always use two in parallel....

 

[PCMusicGuy]

The dust deputy need to be mounted upright to work. It relies on inertia and gravity so that the larger particles fall down. The separator works as long as there is air moving through it with particulate matter contained. You could certainly do some experimentation. The size of cyclonic separator you would need is a matter of the volume of air you need to filter. I've seen some the size of small sheds. After the big plastic ones, you normally see them as stainless steel assemblies.

 

[Youngandfree]

What about putting the billy goat bag down in a large trashbag?

 

[niget2002]

I'd try to find some way of directing the dust away from yourself. Anything you add to the device is going to add to the 100+lb weight of the machine and make it more difficult to handle. It could be something as simple as adding a baffle to the existing output filter to direct the dust straight down and away from you.

 

[Odd-job]

Cyclonic collectors will need to be upright (gravity has a role)...and you would need a larger collector for your application as a 5 gallon bucket would fill up quickly. The blow thing should be fine as the air flow would be the same...you would connect your Goat output to the DD input. Yes, you would want a filter after the DD, however it likely won't see much debris as long as your collector bucket is large enough.

The issue will likely be the rated CFM of the larger dust deputy vs what an 8hp vacuum is outputting...it may be too restrictive. You can always use two in parallel....

Thanks for this according to the specs it is designed for 3-5 hp. I think you are right, one is a little undersized and may need two. This is looking like a $500+ endeavor.

 

[Odd-job]

The dust deputy need to be mounted upright to work. It relies on inertia and gravity so that the larger particles fall down. The separator works as long as there is air moving through it with particulate matter contained. You could certainly do some experimentation. The size of cyclonic separator you would need is a matter of the volume of air you need to filter. I've seen some the size of small sheds. After the big plastic ones, you normally see them as stainless steel assemblies.

Upright makes sense even is a non engineer. Hence all of the pictures show them as upright. Duh me.

Sounds like I need one of these:

https://www.oneida-air.com/dust-collectors/system-components/cyclone-separators

Go big or go home. Now need to convince myself $950 is worth the endeavor.

 

[Odd-job]

What about putting the billy goat bag down in a large trashbag?

Unfortunately the bag needs to breathe somehow

I'd try to find some way of directing the dust away from yourself. Anything you add to the device is going to add to the 100+lb weight of the machine and make it more difficult to handle. It could be something as simple as adding a baffle to the existing output filter to direct the dust straight down and away from you.

It is literally coming from all sides of the bag without a dust separator. Perhaps with the dust separator I can get away with baffling it away from me and making it more livable.

 

[rlitman]

... Now need to convince myself $950 is worth the endeavor.

It isn't. You'll need a gigantic cyclone setup to handle the flow you want and not immediately clog. Once it clogs, it does nothing. Worse, cyclones restrict flow quite a bit, and are not all that good about removing the finest of particles that are actually dangerous to your lungs.

I'd suggest you invest in tyvek suits and a respirator.

Oh, and my yard vacuums (I've had several sized ones over the years) were what made me put my cell phone in a Ziploc bag, because of the dust.

 

[dogdog]

Not sure if there are any benefits of using one on a yard vac that is for outside...

you can always look up that infamous spreed sheet from bill pentz and build one your self... ? But keep in mind, it might not offer any advantage.

Dust Collection Research - Cyclone Plans

This site helps small shop workers understand the risks from fine dust exposure and how to effectively protect themselves and their families from airborne dust hazards. Fine dust is so extensively studied that researchers call it PM short for particle material. A Google search on PM Health Risks...

billpentz.com

 

[mikegt4]

Sounds like you need a Walker mower, ***** the clippings up into the bin which dumps out like a dump truck when you are done cutting the yard. Expensive, yes but Father's day is coming up.

In the 20th season with my Walker (non bin model, I don't care about grass clippings).

Walker Model S Lawn Mowers

The Model S is the quintessential Walker Mower. Inspired by the original 1977 prototype, the Model S is simple and easy to operate.

www.walker.com

 

[Odd-job]

It isn't. You'll need a gigantic cyclone setup to handle the flow you want and not immediately clog. Once it clogs, it does nothing. Worse, cyclones restrict flow quite a bit, and are not all that good about removing the finest of particles that are actually dangerous to your lungs.

I'd suggest you invest in tyvek suits and a respirator.

Oh, and my yard vacuums (I've had several sized ones over the years) were what made me put my cell phone in a Ziploc bag, because of the dust.

Thanks. Sounds like I need to just wait for Dyson to make a yard vac. The respirator/googles/hearing protection are always standard practice with the billy goat. Haven't gone as fare as the tyvek suits yet, but I probably have nothing to lose as my neighbors already think I am nuts.

 

[Odd-job]

Sounds like you need a Walker mower, ***** the clippings up into the bin which dumps out like a dump truck when you are done cutting the yard. Expensive, yes but Father's day is coming up.

In the 20th season with my Walker (non bin model, I don't care about grass clippings).

Walker Model S Lawn Mowers

The Model S is the quintessential Walker Mower. Inspired by the original 1977 prototype, the Model S is simple and easy to operate.

www.walker.com

Those look nice. Too bad my 2 patches of grass and 1/2 acre wouldn't support a mower of that caliber. Maybe a street sweeper I would get more use out of.

 

[Odd-job]

Not sure if there are any benefits of using one on a yard vac that is for outside...

you can always look up that infamous spreed sheet from bill pentz and build one your self... ? But keep in mind, it might not offer any advantage.

Dust Collection Research - Cyclone Plans

This site helps small shop workers understand the risks from fine dust exposure and how to effectively protect themselves and their families from airborne dust hazards. Fine dust is so extensively studied that researchers call it PM short for particle material. A Google search on PM Health Risks...

billpentz.com

Great link. Thanks for sharing.

 

[CraigStu]

Any way you could tow that behind your mower/tractor. I have a Agri Fab

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/agri-fab-mow-n-vac

The top 6 inches of the rear surface of the box is screened so that is where the air flows out. There is some dust but it's 6ft behind me.