DIY vaculator
The rubber boot that lets dust fall out of the air filter housing, on my JD 717a, fell off. So the breather is sucking air directly in.
This part is called several names depending on the vendor (dust nozzle, dust unloader valve, dust boot, etc).
I think the proper name is a vaculator valve.
If you do a Google search for this you will get lots of pictures.
I got sticker shock when I looked for a JD brand exact replacement, about $20 plus shipping. Ouch!!! :thumbdown:
I was able to find a substitute replacement online for $4 plus $10 shipping.
$4 is ok, but the total cost is ridiculous. It's just a piece of rubber.
I need to mow, not wanting to wait a few days. So, I started looking online for ways to make one. No joy!
So I started looking at the junk I have laying around ….. Bingo, an old bicycle innertube. I cut a piece about 3" long then fitted it over the nipple in the breather housing. Had to stretch it a bit, but almost a perfect fit. I stapled the edges to flatten the two sides together so that the rubber lays flat, then trimmed the flaps to shape.
