Damien Walker 246 #1 Posted October 4, 2023 I have finally completed my 5xi Quiet Collector restoration today.....and it works very well. I originally acquired it many years ago and fitted it fairly easily to my C175 but following my recent acquistion of a 520Lxi, I thought I would swap it over and fit it where it truly belongs. With a piece of double luck, the collector was supplied with a 52" drive kit and my tractor, purchased probably 10 years later, is fitted with a 52" deck so restoration could commence immediately. All items have been shot blasted and powder coated, there's new bearings in the turbine and I have used stainless fasteners throughout. The directional blast outlet control had disintegrated so I rebuilt that using a 3D printed operating lever. New cables too, these being fairly standard bike brake fittings. The lower turbine bearing was originally very noisy (due to rust) , but with new bearings it is now very smooth and makes a very satisfying turbine type whine. The only real issue was caused by the collector boot mounting. As I understand it, this is held in position by the deck outlet chute.......which my deck doesn't have! I modified the chute mounting bracket by welding a bored out 3/4" diameter rod and it is all held place by a 10mm rod pushed through the chute mountings. As with previous posts, I have forgotten to 'support' the site before posting this so will have to add extra more photos in later posts! Sorry! 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damien Walker 246 #2 Posted October 4, 2023 Drive kit 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damien Walker 246 #3 Posted October 4, 2023 I'm now a supporter! Drive kit: Double pulley: Blast direction control lever: Boot mounting: Powder coat: I powder coated the small items myself, but the main frames were too big for my oven, so they were done professionally, (seven items?) at great cost (£150) but it is worth it. The only major issue I encountered was the main lift arm which had rusted internally and was unable to withstand the torque required to open the clam shell. Luckily the rust appeared to be just at the weld, so I cut it off and rewelded (prior to sending off for coating!) I scrubbed the plastic mouldings and they now don't look too shabby but still have boot and pipes to do. I'm also wondering about giving the plastic a coat of plastic bumper treatment or similar to smarten things up a bit more. 1 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,897 #4 Posted October 4, 2023 7 minutes ago, Damien Walker said: I'm now a supporter! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 67,516 #5 Posted October 4, 2023 23 minutes ago, Pullstart said: Nice work on that machine! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,577 #6 Posted October 4, 2023 3 hours ago, Damien Walker said: I'm now a supporter! Thanks for helping to keep the lights on!! Very nice work on your tractor! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 17,739 #8 Posted October 5, 2023 Very nice work!!! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
