Generator Pto backup generator - are they practical

[Newbie7100HST]

Would having a PTO generator be better/more practical than having a stand alone generator. I've got a 7500 watt gas backup generator sitting in my garage - it may have 20 hours on it and I don't think I've fired it up in 3 years (local grid has been way more stable since when we first moved in). Obviously I'm going to have to change the gas and probably clean the carb if I ever expect to use it again - but that said it will probably just sit there till the gas goes sour again (guess I could lay it up dry and just store/rotate gas short term in a can or 2 but knowing me I'll get caught short on gas because I filled up my snowmobile atV and chainsaw all at the same time.

I remember people being out of power for +2 weeks from the ice storm in 98.
That's the kind of outrage I'm trying to be prepared for but I would want to come out of the other end of needing to rebuild a tractor motor because it sat running a generator for too long.

Thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.

 

[patchnball]

According to internet it takes 30 pto HP to run a 15 KW generator. Just saying.

 

[Tonyinohio]

I prefer a standalone generator. Frees up the tractor for other stuff and keeps hours off the tractor.

I have a 6K gas generator that is about 15 years old i close off the fuel line valve and run it dry every time. Never have issues with the fuel.

Last year i cleared a 1/4 mile of honeysuckle 30' wide using an electric chainsaw and my trusty generator. Easier than a heavy gas unit in my opinion. Sharpened the chain each day and stayed out of the dirt.

 

[zzvyb6]

takes a lot of horsepower to run a decent size generator........they have gotten better.

I do not agree with this statement because MOST homes and barns don't really need a lot of power. Just add up the wattages of all your needs and go from there. If 7500 watts is your current capacity, that seems to settle the level you need. Heck, you could run that off most lawn mowers (as I do). My pto alternator has 50 kw max capability. I run it off my 22 hp diesel lawn mower just fine. Even A/C.

Well, furnace, cooking, A/C, garage doors, TV, Uverse access point and wireless, lights, laptop and other chargers is all I need.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

For me, I don't care about the hours on my tractor, that's what I bought it for. IF it can't take it, I will buy one that can!

Having said that, I MUCH prefer my pto generator, but we just don't loose power all that often so it's not putting many hours on my tractor.

I really like the idea of NOT having another small gas engine to take of...and if I would have bought a generator that would power my whole house, of the same quality of my pto gen set, it would have cost my 4 or 5 times more money...

SR

 

[topbuilder]

For me, I don't care about the hours on my tractor, that's what I bought it for. IF it can't take it, I will buy one that can!

Having said that, I MUCH prefer my pto generator, but we just don't loose power all that often so it's not putting many hours on my tractor.

I really like the idea of NOT having another small gas engine to take of...and if I would have bought a generator that would power my whole house, of the same quality of my pto gen set, it would have cost my 4 or 5 times more money...

SR

Agreed. This was my thought as well. Never a problem keeping the tractor ready at a moments notice. I don't need it running hours on end. That being said, I went another direction. My generator is run off of my propane tank. That eliminates the gas engine problem. Just need to maintain high propane tank levels.

 

[OregonCraig]

Lots of aspects to consider. I seriously considered a PTO generator, primarily because I didn't want another gas engine to maintain. At some point, I realized that my wife would have a lot more trouble using the PTO generator if I were not home to take care of it. I ultimately decided to go with a gas stand alone unit that is very easy for her to use. I run it once a month with a moderate load.

 

[k0ua]

Lots of aspects to consider. I seriously considered a PTO generator, primarily because I didn't want another gas engine to maintain. At some point, I realized that my wife would have a lot more trouble using the PTO generator if I were not home to take care of it. I ultimately decided to go with a gas stand alone unit that is very easy for her to use. I run it once a month with a moderate load.

Hey Craig, cool dog in your avatar:thumbsup:

 

[OregonCraig]

Hey Craig, cool dog in your avatar:thumbsup:

Thanks, James...she's just a mutt, but she's a good dog.

 

[Fallon]

I went PTO. Less engines to maintain. It's an emergency generator, not a standby generator. I'm not going to bother hooking it up for a few hours unless it's really cold. My wife probably couldn't hook it up, but can wait for a few hours until I get home & can.

I'm storing a few hundred gallons of diesel for speculation & emergency use anyway. No way I could do that with gas, only propane & diesel. Ya hours on the tractor & it's in availability when doing so suck, but I got it to use, not as barn art. It's for emergency use, not constant use, so I can unhook it & do work if needed.