Revisiting the PTO-generator question

   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #1  

Trev

Platinum Member
Joined
May 24, 2002
Messages
913
Location
Williamson, NY (near Rochester)
Tractor
Currently tractor-less
I think I've read about all the posts on the board (a lot of them) about PTO generators. So I went to the Northern Tool site and starting seeing about putting together a system.. and boy did I get lost in a hurry. /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

I found a 12,000 watt generator for $1900, that looks like it would be enough power for my needs and would easily be driven by my JD4300 (27.something PTO HP.)

Then I found a PTO driveshaft, $170.

Then I found a trailer for the unit, which it appears I would need since I see no 3pt hitch connections on the generator .. $400.

I couldn't find an electrical transfer box of the sort people say I should have to make a safe connection.

Is there a place I should go which would provide the complete solution, without my having to guess what I need? Is there a place where these things can be gotten at a better price? Are there generators which don't require a trailer, but just have 3pt hitch connections? Am I better off with the trailer, so I don't have to maintain hydraulic pressure to hold the thing up?

All I want is an emergency system for use when it's cold and the power goes out. I really like the PTO generator idea, as it's one less engine to maintain.. one less type of fuel I need to store, one more use for the tractor (getting my money's worth out of it), etc.

Of all the discussions I read, I didn't find one that said simply "Go to this page" or "call this number" and you'll find everything you need to do this.

I should note that all I'm looking for is a way for my family to survive in relative comfort in the event of a major power outage. I don't have to run everything in our small farmhouse, but I think I probably could with 8000 watts continuous and 12,000 surge?

Any suggestions appreciated, and sorry for having resurrected an old topic..

Thanks, and happy holidays to all....

Bob
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #3  
Glad you brought up the generator question. My wife surprised me the other day when she said she thought we needed generator backup.

My thinking is along your lines, but I would design it to be picked up by the I-match system on the 3pt. Storage might me easier (on a dolly that would roll out when needed) than if on a trailer. I'm assuming its weight would work on the 3pt.

Will be talking to my Deere dealer to see what they think.
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question
  • Thread Starter
#4  
My problem is that I know squat about electic. I see a generator there which provides 8000 watts continuous, with 12,000 surge for $1900. They have another which provides 12,000 continuous, and 13,000 surge.. and it's only $1000. What am I missing here??
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #5  
The 12K surge 8K is a Winco brand (Big name)
which is heavier 250# verses
The Star brand (?????) and only weighs 187#.
Lots of dairy farms use the Winco brand along
w/ Generac.
I bought a Generac 20K 40K surge pto on trailer in fall
of 2000 for $1500 from a widow that had a dairy farm.
The BEST insurance I ever bought (power hasn't been
out since) also got 1500 gal. diesel fuel for the big
Y2K shut down.
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #6  
Trev,
I'm not sure on what you're planning on running, but 8Kw should be plenty to run everything in your house. For emergency use (freezer, furnace, a few lights), You could easily get by with a 5Kw or smaller as long as you don't run everthing at once. Also have a qualified electrician install a transfer switch (manual or auto). This device isolates the power company from your house when your gen. is running. This is an important safety feature. Some people just back feed into a 220volt recept but this is a good way to get a lineman hurt. As for a trailer, I don't see why you'd need one. Why not just make permanent location for the generator like inside a shed or barn, then just back your tractor up to it and connect your pto to the shaft? The transfer box could be located right next to the generator.
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question
  • Thread Starter
#7  
<font color=blue>As for a trailer, I don't see why you'd need one. Why not just make permanent location for the generator like inside a shed or barn, then just back your tractor up to it and connect your pto to the shaft? The transfer box could be located right next to the generator. </font color=blue>

Well, trailer is $400.. probably less than I could build a shed for (and our garage is chuck full.) Also, I could help out neighbors, take it out to the field if some welding was needed, etc. The trailer might be the cheaper way to go, unless I could find a generator with 3pt hitch attachments.

I have a feeling that anything I do is going to be expensive...

Thanks,
Bob
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question
  • Thread Starter
#8  
<font color=blue>The 12K surge 8K is a Winco brand (Big name)
which is heavier 250# verses
The Star brand (?????) and only weighs 187#.
Lots of dairy farms use the Winco brand along
w/ Generac.</font color=blue>

Ahhh.. a matter of quality, eh? Okay, gottcha. Thanks...

Bob
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #9  
I just had a house built and I had the electrian put in a Gentrac.They go by many differance names.Power goes out,I haul out the 6000 watts generator,I think that's what it is,on loan from my father-in-law,and I plug in a big cord to a outside receptal,start it up,go into basement flick 8 stwiches on the Gentrac panel and I'm good to go.I do not touch mine electrial panel at all,Some you have to,but not on this one.It has a meter on it too_Only used it once,to try it out.This will only run certain rooms.Will run the furnace and the waterpump too.You can get a bigger one if you want.Just like my contractor told me,"We can do anything,if you have the money."
 
   / Revisiting the PTO-generator question #10  
Try looking at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.cfw.com/~gener8s>this link</A> GenPower brushless generators. Then click on GenPower. I bought a 17 KW continous/ 35 KW surge, trailer mount, pto shaft, for 2500.00 delivered to my door.
I like the trailer mount. It is just an axle, narrow wheel spacing, auto tires (used), short tongue, and can be moved around by hand very easily.

I think they recommend about 2 pto hp on the tractor for ea KW, but you can use one larger than your tractor, it you don't apply the full electrical load to the generator.
 
 
 
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