Generator New guy with pto generator questions?

[IDIJunkie]

Hey guys, first time poster here with some generator questions?
I've decided a pto generator would be better for me than a self contained unit. I am in the market for a 15kw generator and was wondering what brands everyone recommends? I have been considering one from IMD 16kw . Also the 10% off for TBN users is a plus. Has anyone had any expierence with them? I plan on running this with a Ford 1920 30 pto hp tractor. I also have 3 more tractors form 40 to 85 hp so having a tractor to run the generator won't be a problem. I will most likely mount the generator to a pallet so I won't need a trailer or 3 point hitch. I will appreciate any and all input!

BTW, this is a great site that I've been reading great info for several days!

Brandon

 

[jimgerken]

Here's another choice:
The Power Connection - Emergency power generators
I bought one of their units, I think it is 15Kw, but they don't sell 15Kw anymore. Very nice stuff. Active voltage control to 1%, shock mounted electrical box with circuitry and large voltage and frequency meters, driveshaft and power cord was included (ask for longer than 10 feet!), and it is mounted in a very nicely made three point roll cage design. Give them a call.

 

[8934]

May want to search if you havent. PTO generators have been discussed to death.

Biggest plus in my book, one less engine to maintain
Biggest drawback in my book generally higher fuel consumption than purpose built generator due to lack of auto idle, and probable oversize tractor engine driving unit.

 

[BeezFun]

I'd watch ebay. I bought a used 12kw a few years ago for $650, it was like brand new.

 

[gbw]

I've decided a pto generator would be better for me than a self contained unit.

I'm curious as to why? I've been pondering the same thing, but reached the opposite conclusion.

I live in hurricane country and I know from experience that I'll need the tractor and emergency power, and I'll need them both at the same time but not necessarily in the same place - impossible with a PTO gen. The PTO powered unit is worthless by itself.

Also, my tractor is 40hp PTO (JD 4320) which is far beyond the power needed for any reasonable sized home-use generator. I'd be wasting fuel, power, creating tractor wear and a lot of noise to no purpose (tractor has to run at 2400 RPM to make 540 on the PTO), as well as and tying up the tractor.

Anyhow, I'm interested you the logic you used to get to the other conclusion, very possible I'm missing something (i.e. spare tractor available?). Thanks.

 

[TomOfTarsus]

Well, having spare tractors sure is a plus!

See, I feel deprived, having no accessories that use my rear PTO - and I've been thinking about something like this, as it could easily power a home during a prolonged outage. I have 14 Hp at the PTO shaft at 540 rpm, that translates to 10 KW, which ought to do it.

But I've been here for 32 years and maybe once have had an outage where we lost some of the frozen foods. So from a power outage standpoint, it isn't worth it. And, like gbw, I don't have a spare tractor, if we were in the midst of some disaster I couldn't use it and generate at the same time (thought I could cool the 'fridge, then go work, then bcool the fridge some more, etc...). Now if I had a large land area and needed electricity in some remote location, I could easily see hanging one of these off the 3PH. But from my experience, it'd just be one more big chunk of seldom-used stuff to store.

So I guess my first PTO driven accessory won't be a generator. But I wish you well with yours, and welcome! I like this site, there are good people here.

Best,

Tom

 

[IDIJunkie]

Here's another choice:
The Power Connection - Emergency power generators
I bought one of their units, I think it is 15Kw, but they don't sell 15Kw anymore. Very nice stuff. Active voltage control to 1%, shock mounted electrical box with circuitry and large voltage and frequency meters, driveshaft and power cord was included (ask for longer than 10 feet!), and it is mounted in a very nicely made three point roll cage design. Give them a call.

Thanks for the link. I gave them a call today and talked with them for about 15 minutes, and will probably get one from them. I think for the price I might get a 20 or 25kw.

 

[IDIJunkie]

I'm curious as to why? I've been pondering the same thing, but reached the opposite conclusion.

I live in hurricane country and I know from experience that I'll need the tractor and emergency power, and I'll need them both at the same time but not necessarily in the same place - impossible with a PTO gen. The PTO powered unit is worthless by itself.

Also, my tractor is 40hp PTO (JD 4320) which is far beyond the power needed for any reasonable sized home-use generator. I'd be wasting fuel, power, creating tractor wear and a lot of noise to no purpose (tractor has to run at 2400 RPM to make 540 on the PTO), as well as and tying up the tractor.

Anyhow, I'm interested you the logic you used to get to the other conclusion, very possible I'm missing something (i.e. spare tractor available?). Thanks.

My logic is that the electric don't go out that often here so I won't have to maintain another engine, I can hook the pto generator up and throw the 220 welder in the loader bucket and fix broken equipment in the field, and I have 4 tractors to choose from so I will always have a tractor to use, I know 1 of 4 tractors will always start even in -20 weather, and the tractor I plan on using is 30 hp and will be perfect for a 15 kw generator.
As far as fuel goes, I have a 350 gallon tank that never gets less than 70 to 100 gallons.
If I only had 1 tractor I would probably go with a self contained unit.

 

[IDIJunkie]

But I've been here for 32 years and maybe once have had an outage where we lost some of the frozen foods. So from a power outage standpoint, it isn't worth it. And, like gbw, I don't have a spare tractor, if we were in the midst of some disaster I couldn't use it and generate at the same time (thought I could cool the 'fridge, then go work, then bcool the fridge some more, etc...). Now if I had a large land area and needed electricity in some remote location, I could easily see hanging one of these off the 3PH. But from my experience, it'd just be one more big chunk of seldom-used stuff to store.

So I guess my first PTO driven accessory won't be a generator. But I wish you well with yours, and welcome! I like this site, there are good people here.

Best,

Tom

I can't remember in the last 20 years that we have ever lost any food from lack of electric, so if it didn't have another use on the farm away from electric I probably wouldn't get one.

 

[gbw]

Sure makes good sense to me, I'll be interested to learn how you like your generator and good luck with it!