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Posted: 11/4/2009 9:22:50 AM EDT
[#1]
I'm not sure how small they make PTO genny's, but the ones I've always seen were big (at least 15 kw). With 15 HP at the PTO shaft, I doubt you'll be able to get much more than 10 kw out of the tractor (1 hp = 746 watts, minus your inefficiency) and you'll be working it pretty hard if you pull that much. As long as you carefully watch your power draw, you should be fine, but running your engine at full load for extended periods of time is pretty hard on it.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 9:29:34 AM EDT
[#2]
After Rita, my father got a large PTO generator for my parents house. I don't know it's rating but we hook it up to our old Farmall 806. It produces enough juice to turn everything in the house, and that is including both Central AC units, all freezers and refrigerators. Sure beats the hell out of having to constantly run 2 smaller gas powered portables.
Now we can use the portables for my grandparents house. Before we were having to keep running up and down the road with the portables going between us. Now we can give them both and they be set for a few days. I'll have to check out the brand and wattage next time I'm out in his neck of the woods this weekend. |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 9:38:39 AM EDT
[#3]
I was curious so I did a couple quick searches...
http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/commercial_horticulture/equipment/Compact+Tractors/PTO+Generators+for+Tractors.htm Note that indicates the maximum generator is your PTO HP * 0.75 or 11.25 KW for your 15HP at the PTO tractor. So, I looked and here is a 7200 Watt unit for $929.99 at northern tool that says it needs 14 PTO HP: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatDsp?storeId=6970&N=36+182378+4294941495&cm_ven=natural&cm_cat=netconcepts&cm_pla=Google&cm_ite=pto%2Bgenerator Trailer kit for the generator: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_247530_247530 Similar unit ($930): http://www.shop.com/NorthStar_PTO_Generator_151_7200_Watt,_14_HP_Required-10730892-16556376-p+.xhtml?sourceid=298 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– I like the idea but wow at that kind of investment ($1600 or so for generator and trailer setup) I would be more inclined to just buy a stand alone generator 
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Posted: 11/4/2009 10:42:00 AM EDT
[#4]
GREAT deal on the tractor!! I have a B7100 and turn a 15kW PTO gen with it.
The Kubota will pull about 11kW by actual test at the house here. I'd rather have more generator than tractor HP, if we overload it the tractor just lugs instead of overheating the generator. Look around for a used gennie, they do show up at auctions and some equipment dealers take them as trade ins. I'll post a vid later, got stuff to do right now. Ask any questions that you have, I've used ours quite a bit since 1999. Ops |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 11:06:37 AM EDT
[#5]
Quoted:
I was curious so I did a couple quick searches... http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/lawn_garden/commercial_horticulture/equipment/Compact+Tractors/PTO+Generators+for+Tractors.htm Note that indicates the maximum generator is your PTO HP * 0.75 or 11.25 KW for your 15HP at the PTO tractor. So, I looked and here is a 7200 Watt unit for $929.99 at northern tool that says it needs 14 PTO HP: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatDsp?storeId=6970&N=36+182378+4294941495&cm_ven=natural&cm_cat=netconcepts&cm_pla=Google&cm_ite=pto%2Bgenerator Trailer kit for the generator: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_247530_247530 Similar unit ($930): http://www.shop.com/NorthStar_PTO_Generator_151_7200_Watt,_14_HP_Required-10730892-16556376-p+.xhtml?sourceid=298 –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– I like the idea but wow at that kind of investment ($1600 or so for generator and trailer setup) I would be more inclined to just buy a stand alone generator Well, first off I don't need a trailer for the setup I envision - I have an outdoor circuit breaker that comes off of the power line on my property. If I have an electrician put in a generator tie in right there then I can just park the generator by the pole in a weatherproof enclosure (which I should be able to build myself for not too much) and pull the tractor up to it. I would need a tie in for any generator so the cost there doesn't matter. Second, I found a Harbor freight 15 kw model here and they always have a 20% off coupon in American Rifleman which would put it at about 880 + tax. It is more than the tractor needs, but thats fine if I can expect to get 10kw or so out of it, my only worry would be that it is a harbor freight generator. $880 + tax seems to be a good price to me for a diesel generator that will put out 11kw. |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 11:13:30 AM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
GREAT deal on the tractor!! I have a B7100 and turn a 15kW PTO gen with it. The Kubota will pull about 11kW by actual test at the house here. I'd rather have more generator than tractor HP, if we overload it the tractor just lugs instead of overheating the generator. Look around for a used gennie, they do show up at auctions and some equipment dealers take them as trade ins. I'll post a vid later, got stuff to do right now. Ask any questions that you have, I've used ours quite a bit since 1999. Ops Thanks, I looked at the serial number on it and it is one of the last ones they made in the 90's. It seems solid, needed a few small things but I like it so far, frankly I think the guy didn't know what it was worth but I don't feel bad taking advantage of a dealer (he also has an older b7200 with a mower deck sitting there for $2400 that was nicer in some ways and worse in others, I had a hard time deciding between them). How hard is it to get the deck off so I can get to the blades? I haven't tried it yet but it looks like it might be a roayal pain to do. |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 12:28:20 PM EDT
[#7]
I just got a Kubota tractor this year, and I am still thinking about getting a PTO generator for it.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 12:40:15 PM EDT
[#8]
what about a PTO generator for a truck?
350 chevy hooked to a sm465? would that be possible? |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 2:17:16 PM EDT
[#9]
Quoted:
GREAT deal on the tractor!! I have a B7100 and turn a 15kW PTO gen with it. The Kubota will pull about 11kW by actual test at the house here. I'd rather have more generator than tractor HP, if we overload it the tractor just lugs instead of overheating the generator. Look around for a used gennie, they do show up at auctions and some equipment dealers take them as trade ins. I'll post a vid later, got stuff to do right now. Ask any questions that you have, I've used ours quite a bit since 1999. Ops Ops, I also have a B7100 and love it. and I spent more than 2k on mine...I got the deck, MFWD, and turf tires for mowing. The zenier diode went out on the gen circuit so I took it out and asked an electronics guru to rebuild it for me. waiting to get it back now.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 3:29:55 PM EDT
[#10]
I have been thinking about this for awhile. I just need to figure which tractor to put it on. Case 930, International 384 with the wonder loader, or that bad luck charm with the flat tire at the back of the property.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 3:50:55 PM EDT
[#11]
Quoted:
Quoted:
GREAT deal on the tractor!! I have a B7100 and turn a 15kW PTO gen with it. The Kubota will pull about 11kW by actual test at the house here. I'd rather have more generator than tractor HP, if we overload it the tractor just lugs instead of overheating the generator. Look around for a used gennie, they do show up at auctions and some equipment dealers take them as trade ins. I'll post a vid later, got stuff to do right now. Ask any questions that you have, I've used ours quite a bit since 1999. Ops Thanks, I looked at the serial number on it and it is one of the last ones they made in the 90's. It seems solid, needed a few small things but I like it so far, frankly I think the guy didn't know what it was worth but I don't feel bad taking advantage of a dealer (he also has an older b7200 with a mower deck sitting there for $2400 that was nicer in some ways and worse in others, I had a hard time deciding between them). How hard is it to get the deck off so I can get to the blades? I haven't tried it yet but it looks like it might be a roayal pain to do. I haven't dropped the deck on mine, I raise it and unbolt the blades. It doesn't look too bad to pull it, I'm just lazy when it comes to teardowns. Ops |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 4:13:37 PM EDT
[#12]
My concern with this would be the hours put on the tractor and the noise of it running.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 4:56:43 PM EDT
[#13]
The rule of thumb is that you need 2hp to generate 1 kw of electricity (AC). Your 15hp of PTO output should be able to run a 7 or 8 KW PTO generator. They are widely available but I don't know much about features.
Good luck! |
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Posted: 11/4/2009 9:22:32 PM EDT
[#14]
You can run a bigger pto generator, but your tactor is going to lag if you try to draw more than about 7 kw.
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Posted: 11/4/2009 9:29:59 PM EDT
[#15]
Quoted:
Does that model have an engine speed governor?
I bought a used Kubota B7100 Also, as was stated, the rule of thumb is 2 engine HP for every kW to be produced. You can purchase a larger generator, and that would help with surge loads, but it won't sustain the high load for more than a second or two. Quoted:
Attaching the driveshaft would not be easy, plus you'll need to add some type of governor to keep shaft speed constant under varying electrical loads.
what about a PTO generator for a truck? 350 chevy hooked to a sm465? would that be possible? |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 4:07:02 AM EDT
[#16]
We usually run one of our David Brown 990's on the genny. When we aren't using as much power we can kick it into 1000 RPM and run the tractor at about half throttle. The only thing we have found is that it pulls the rpm down for a second or two longer if a heavy load is pulled. There are several models of tractors that offer the 1000 RPM option but if they don't, you could always make a gear reduction.
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Posted: 11/5/2009 5:17:23 AM EDT
[#17]
One more question regarding this, how much diesel would this consume and if this really a short term solution in a real emergency when fuel supply would be a limiting resource?
Just to be clear, I have thought this is a slick idea myself but we do not have enough land for a big tractor at this point and I am simply trying to work out the pro/con issues myself. The big plus is that obviously the tractor engine will be far more reliable then a smaller gas, diesel, or propane run unit and you could always hook up a different tractor later. The downside I see is cost and fuel consumption but given you have the tractor you have the expensive part of the project. Good Luck either way. |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 5:22:03 AM EDT
[#18]
Quoted:
Quoted:
Does that model have an engine speed governor?
I bought a used Kubota B7100 Also, as was stated, the rule of thumb is 2 engine HP for every kW to be produced. You can purchase a larger generator, and that would help with surge loads, but it won't sustain the high load for more than a second or two. Quoted:
Attaching the driveshaft would not be easy, plus you'll need to add some type of governor to keep shaft speed constant under varying electrical loads.what about a PTO generator for a truck? 350 chevy hooked to a sm465? would that be possible? SM465 transmission has a PTO |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 5:23:22 AM EDT
[#19]
Quoted: My concern with this would be the hours put on the tractor and the noise of it running. The noise issue is why I decided not to get a PTO generator. I love the idea of using the tractor as the powerplant for a genset, but my tractor is just too darn loud when it turns the PTO at 540 RPM. |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 5:41:21 AM EDT
[#20]
Quoted:
Quoted:
My concern with this would be the hours put on the tractor and the noise of it running. The noise issue is why I decided not to get a PTO generator. I love the idea of using the tractor as the powerplant for a genset, but my tractor is just too darn loud when it turns the PTO at 540 RPM. This would be far enough away from my house that I won't care about the noise. Did anyone have any experience with the generator I linked from Harbor Freight earlier? |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 10:07:20 AM EDT
[#22]
Quoted:
My concern with this would be the hours put on the tractor and the noise of it running. the hours are not really going to be a problem as most diesel compact tractors will easily run 5000-10000 hours if properly maintained. the larger tractors a hell of a lot more than that. noise can be a problem, however. my electric box is mounted on the outside of the house by the master bedroom, so this wouldn't work well. i could connect the genny to the metal building and back feed the house, but then it might be too easy to forget to disconnect from the grid. i suppose i could pay an electrician to create a tie in and grid disconnect at the power pole and run it there, but for me, at least it's still somewhat close to the house. Quoted:
what about a PTO generator for a truck? 350 chevy hooked to a sm465? would that be possible? i think your big challenge would be maintaining the 540 rpms that most PTO genny's require. i'm sure it can be done, but you'll have to play around w/ the engine speed/transmission to achieve the right PTO rpm. |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 10:15:59 AM EDT
[#23]
Quoted:
Well, first off I don't need a trailer for the setup I envision - I have an outdoor circuit breaker that comes off of the power line on my property. If I have an electrician put in a generator tie in right there then I can just park the generator by the pole in a weatherproof enclosure (which I should be able to build myself for not too much) and pull the tractor up to it. I would need a tie in for any generator so the cost there doesn't matter. Second, I found a Harbor freight 15 kw model here and they always have a 20% off coupon in American Rifleman which would put it at about 880 + tax. It is more than the tractor needs, but thats fine if I can expect to get 10kw or so out of it, my only worry would be that it is a harbor freight generator. $880 + tax seems to be a good price to me for a diesel generator that will put out 11kw. i would not under any circumstances trust a harbor freight genny during an emergency. i've bought a number of things from them, but i buy, especially w/ electrical stuff, knowing that the changes of failure are high. i either buy stuff that doesn't break (e.g., jack stands, hydraulic jacks, etc.) or electrical stuff that i need, but won't likely need much (e.g., sump pump). the genny you linked to is roughly double the size of the northern tool genny linked above, but at a similar price. there's a reason for that. HF stuff is questionable at best. |
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Posted: 11/5/2009 1:20:28 PM EDT
[#24]
Quoted:
Yes, I'm aware of that. But getting the driveshaft of said PTO to the generator is the uneasy task I was speaking to in my post, as I used the word "driveshaft" and not "pto." The truck would almost certainly have to have a suspension lift, and/or the angles of the U-joints would so severe that they would chatter like mad and not last very long.
SM465 transmission has a PTO |
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