Generator PTO vs Gas Engine Generator

[90cummins]

Thanks everyone for the good input. This past summer I built a shed just to store fuel in. It is not near any other structures. In the winter I keep 30 gallons of gas on hand (2 days worth for my gas generator). I label the date purchased and treat it with Sta-bil Marine Formula. I will keep the fuel for 3 months and then use it either in my truck or car. In the summer I only keep 5 gallons treated unless there is a storm forecasted. Then I will have 15 gallons. I never did think of the heating fuel in the basement as a fuel source until you all mentioned it. Thanks.
90Cummins how would I go about installing a low oil/over temp shutdown on my tractors?

I would have to think out the details but here is my quick version;
Low oil pressure, there are adjustable & preset pressure switches that will open when the pressure drops below a predetermined value.
First I would monitor you pressure with an accurate guage to find the lowest normal operating pressure and set the switch to open the fuel circuit perhaps 10 or 15 psi below that.
Over temp would need a temp switch that many vehicles have used in the past to operate an over temp light but in this case it would also shut down the fuel supply.
I think I would install a multi-pin electrical connector (found under the hood of any vehicle in a salvage yard) and wire it to interface with the tractor engine wiring harness when unattended operation is required.
I would design this device as a plug in add-on when necessary.
In a nut shell you want low oil pressure or high coolant temp to interrupt the fuel circuit to shut the engine down.

[NC4AB]

I went with a trailer mounted Welder / Generator, 10KW continuous output (Miller Bobcat 250) for back up power and mobile welding of all the stuff that breaks in the field. The Bobcat will run pretty much our whole house if needed, and frees up the tractors for other uses.

As previously stated it is not very fuel efficient, ~ 1/2 - 3/4 gallon of gasoline / hr from my experience when running in generator mode. The Diesel powered models are much more fuel efficient but cost much more.

Check out your local Craigslist, the Miller Bobcats / Lincoln Rangers / Hobarts show up sometimes at decent prices.

[bobmisi]

I have a 13000 watt pto generator from Northern, and it's about ten years old. I have it mounted on on a 3 point carrier with the heavy duty air filled casters so I can push it up to the tractor and put it away by myself, rather than backing the tractor into the shed etc. Makes it mush easier that way. My tractor is a Branson 3820i. I have nothing but good to say about the generator. I run it on and off during outages. I never run it after we are in bed for the night, as we have a wood stove that heats the whole house. I run my computers as well as my big screen tv while the generator is on with no problems to them. That said, I am now looking at an Isuzu diesel powered 14 KW generator so I can just push the button and go. Sometimes you have to run a generator while its raining or other bad weather and it's hard keeping everything dry. Any generator will do the job to keep you out of trouble during an emergency, so get something. that something will depend on your needs and your budget. PTO generators are very good. They have come a long way. I don't want to run my tractor that long, as where I live, when we go out, we never get it back quick. A week long outage is not unusual.

[alco141]

i had one question, do you have propane or natural gas available. i bought the winco trifuel and have had no problems , it is a 9 kw generator, and has low harmonic distortion <.5% so is clean enough for electronics, hook it to the nat gas line and i have no fuel issues, and it will run on gasoline as well. with the wheel kit and electric start my wife or daughters can connect and run this generator easily.

WINCO Tri-Fuel Generators WiseSales.com

this model will run all your house easily.

alex

[Soundguy]

all i'll say is that you can buy more wattage if you go pto.

and

I expect a tractor engine to be more reliable than a 'lawnmower' engine.

past that.. power generation is not new technology.. moving electrons and balls of wire, and spinning bits..

lots of variables.

load vs hp

governor accuracy

overall wattage need.

plenty to think about

[davel8257]

Is it feasible to mount a PTO Generator on a carry-all platform (similar to Nortrac carry-all sold by Northern)? One theory I've heard is that the torque will twist or rotate the 3-pt arms. I'd like to make some kind of a portable power setup and pull a farm wagon behind the tractor at the same time.

[Soundguy]

my northern tools pto genny is mounted on a KK caryall.. with a pallate inbetween them...

twist the 3pt arms? really? 3pt arms size will be compariable to pto hp.. IE.. more pto hp = bigger tractor = bigger arms. thus if your pto genny and thus laod will be sized for your tractor.

whoever told you it will twist the 3pt arms off must have ever actually used one.

[Piston]

Regarding the PTO generators, does the PTO have to be run at 540RPM?

Or, can you run the tractor at less than 540 if you don't need the full load? For instance, if I have a PTO generator that puts out 10kw continuous at 540, can I run it at say half that if I only need 5kw? Or does it have to be run at 540 to keep a constant 60hz or something?

[PILOON]

Last week B4 the storm, a guy showed me a 7500 watt genset that was going to the recycle pile.He offered it to me for $50.00.
Compression was non existent when hand turning and some decals showed that it came from a building contractor so I guessed that it had been worked to death.
But for $50.00 I took it figuring I'd modify and run it off of my PTO. I have a 1000 rpm out put so a couple of pulies a shaft and a pallet etc would do the trick.
I even had a PTO shaft to couple it up.
Well first off I decided to find out what ailed the genset.
Pulled the head and to my surprise the piston and rings were as new, valves perfect. Further examination proved to be simply a very bad exhaust valve adjustement, so bad that the valve stayed open.
A simple valve adjustment and she runs like new. Carb was not even gummed up. To add to my joy the battery holds a good charge as well.
Due to the tightness of the valve adjuster I guess it left the Chicom factory the way I found it.
So much for my PTO genny plans. Runs too good as it is.
The genset has lighted dash, freq and volt meter as well as time run for oil changes.
Great find! ( the guy was going to scrap for the copper).

[Soundguy]

rpm determins hertz

so yeah.. pto needs to be run at whatever the ptogenset gearbox input indicates. might be anything from 536-near 550 for proper freq.