What would you do?! Tractor trade and a generator question

[sweetjeep]

I know the intreresting wording is what brought you here. And I specifically am putting this in the JD section because that is the subject of the tractors I intend to do this with.

I have a Deere 4720 I no longer need/want. (I bought a 110 TLB)

I have the need for a small chassis tractor. Something in the 20-30 hp range.

I have the desire for a standby generator.


What I am pondering is: trading the 4720 in on on, likely a brand new 2720 (or similar) and getting a generator head for the PTO.

OR getting a separate standalone generator. I happen to have a Listeroid, which is great for about 3k watts, maybe 5k, but I'd like to be prepared for that "just in case" when I need more. But I am not really fond of another motor around the house I have to keep after and basically never use.

So my question is: What would you do?

Is a tractor (that I am going to have regardless) a good choice for occasional, use when it sits and idles (1500 RPM say) for a couple days in a row OK? Are the gen heads TRULY capable of doing this?

Or should I just accept it and buy a proper standby generator like this: Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel RV Generator — 6000 Watts, Model# QD 6000 | 29,999 Watts + below | Northern Tool + Equipment

or this: Briggs & Stratton Vanguard Diesel Engine with Electric Start — 26.5 HP, 1in. x 3in. Shaft, Model# 582447 | Diesel Engines | Northern Tool + Equipment plus a gen head.

Or some other examples you all might know about.

I'd also like to hear any thoughts you might have on a sub compact/midsize tractor. I had a 4310 before the 4720 and I kick myself every **** day for getting rid of that tractor. I hate the 4720 and loved every second of the 4310.

 

[bbraud6]

What did'nt you like about the 4720?????

 

[RoyJackson]

Is a tractor (that I am going to have regardless) a good choice for occasional, use when it sits and idles (1500 RPM say) for a couple days in a row OK? Are the gen heads TRULY capable of doing this?

The Yanmar engines used in the Deere CUTs are used as industrial and marine engines which run at constant RPM for extended periods.
Farmers use tractors for stationary power units for 6-10 hours a day.
I see no reason why a Deere CUT couldn't be used to power a generator.
However, plan on maintaining the engine as an industrial engine (more frequent oil/filter changes).

 

[sweetjeep]

What did'nt you like about the 4720?????

First and foremost: It is unreasonably and unacceptably loud. There is no reason for a tractor ESPECIALLY a diesel to be as loud as this thing is. I shouldn't have to wear hearing protection if I want to go move a pile of dirt from one side of the yard to the other.

2) It doesn't seem to be as strong as the numbers say it should be. OR I am asking too much. I don't know. My 4310 seemed capable of amazing feats of strength. It did everything I ever asked and then some. It never flinched or complained. The 4720, seems to only barely be able to do what I expect. Taking a pallet of wood pellets out of the back of a truck.. barely. I can lief the pallet 1" (EXACTLY) off the bed of the truck. True, it's enough, but "enough" isn't "enough".

3) The hydraulics are pathetic. When using the loader I can curl or lift. I can't do both in anything resembling a smooth motion. I have decided that the mechanical auto level loaders were designed because Deere hired high school drop outs to design the loader hydraulics. Every other tractor I have used can cut and lift in a nice smooth combined motion. This one? No. One or the other, or you look like a jackass in process of your on the job training.

4) Did I mention it's LOUD?!!?! Unacceptable.

5) The floppy joke of a drive station. Seriously JD.. a $15 brace under the platform would have increased platform stability 1000% and made the tractor FEEL so much better. My 110, same platform but it has bracing underneath it.. feels like it's made from steel.

6) Manual lever for 4wd. Seriously. Seriously?! This much money for a tractor and you can't install push button 4wd? I have a digital dash and yet I have no on-the-fly 4wd?!

7) It WILL.. NOT.. START.. IN.. THE.. COLD. Winter fuel, additives.. no bother. If I don't put a heater (propane, forced diesel, etc) on the side of the motor for 10-20 minutes, it will.. not.. start. The glow plugs all work. When it does limp to an idle it farts and pops on 2-3 cylinders until the first ones take up the slack and heat the motor so the last 1-2 haggardly come to life. I get this behavior randomly in the supper too.

8) WHY.. DEAR GOD WHY.. IS IT SO LOUD?!

Those are my main gripes. I could continue though.

 

[Soundguy]

I live in florida, and due to hurricanes and whatnot, have very occasionaly need for backup power... don't need it 99.5% of the time, and so far have only needed it for storms, and / or power needs on the end reaches of my farm where a 500' extension cord isn't pracitcle or an inverter won't do.

since I either need 'no power' or alot of power, i wanted to get a big genny. having one too small is no help. also.. since it might literally go a year in between uses.. I didn't want another 'lawnmower engine' setting there with the carb rotting off of it each year... however i KNOW my tractors will start up... thus I got a 12.5kw pto genst. It's a northstar ( chinese unit sold by northern tool. ).. have had it about? 7.5ys now. works good, clean power, no issues whatsoever. I mounted it on a 3pt caryall/pallate to move it around easier.

I have many times just trailered a tractor with it hooked as an implement and taken it to a buddies home or place in need of remote power.. or just drive the tractor out on my property where the power is needed. IE.. welding on a gate or.. etc..

soundguy

I have the desire for a standby generator....
...getting a generator head for the PTO.

OR getting a separate standalone generator. I happen to have a Listeroid, which is great for about 3k watts, maybe 5k, but I'd like to be prepared for that "just in case" when I need more. But I am not really fond of another motor around the house I have to keep after and basically never use.

So my question is: What would you do?

Is a tractor (that I am going to have regardless) a good choice for occasional, use when it sits and idles (1500 RPM say) for a couple days in a row OK? Are the gen heads TRULY capable of doing this?

Or should I just accept it and buy a proper standby generator like this: Cummins Onan Quiet Diesel RV Generator 6000 Watts, Model# QD 6000 | 29,999 Watts + below | Northern Tool + Equipment

or this: Briggs & Stratton Vanguard Diesel Engine with Electric Start 26.5 HP, 1in. x 3in. Shaft, Model# 582447 | Diesel Engines | Northern Tool + Equipment plus a gen head.

Or some other examples you all might know about.

I'd also like to hear any thoughts you might have on a sub compact/midsize tractor. I had a 4310 before the 4720 and I kick myself every **** day for getting rid of that tractor. I hate the 4720 and loved every second of the 4310.

 

[beenthere]

Get another 4310, and be happy. Maybe put a muffler on the 4720. They were not born loud, IMO.
But, I'd trust the Yanmar to run a lot longer at a steady pace than any generator...especially one that Northern Tool would be selling.

But whatever you decide would leave me happy.

 

[RoyJackson]

Get another 4310, and be happy. Maybe put a muffler on the 4720. They were not born loud, IMO.
But, I'd trust the Yanmar to run a lot longer at a steady pace than any generator...especially one that Northern Tool would be selling.

But whatever you decide would leave me happy.

If you recall, the 4x20 series machine use a Deere built engine rather then a Yanmar and those Deere engines do have a reputation for being louder. I imagine the turbo on the 4720 aggravates the situation...

As far as the 4310...seems like most folks who have 'em, love 'em. I know I wanted one...just didn't find the right one when I was looking (before I bought the 790 in 2004).

 

[sweetjeep]

If you recall, the 4x20 series machine use a Deere built engine rather then a Yanmar and those Deere engines do have a reputation for being louder. I imagine the turbo on the 4720 aggravates the situation...

As far as the 4310...seems like most folks who have 'em, love 'em. I know I wanted one...just didn't find the right one when I was looking (before I bought the 790 in 2004).

The 4x20's are Deere motors. However the (a) turbo acts itself as a muffler. In fact on most turbo charged motors you could (COULD) run no muffler and there would be little difference.

It's not an exhaust noise issue, it's the motor itself that makes the awful racket.

Beenthere: I mean this with all honest truth.. get your hearing checked, you might be disturbed at what you find! I went back to my normal dealer (not where I bought the 47) and asked about the noise. The dealer agreed and said that a lot of people complain and ask if something is wrong or there is anything they can do. The answer is, of course, 'no'. Or 'get a cab'.

If I see another 4310 I'll grab it in a heartbeat. Though the reality is it's a little bigger than what I am looking for in a 2nd "yard" tractor. Hence looking at a 2750 (or whatever).

The Briggs from Nothern is a regular Briggs branded diesel. Built by whom, I don't know. Either way it was just an example. I found, and forgot about a nice Yanmar backup setup too. 600 rpm (maybe it was 1800) that is nice for about $3k.

 

[RoyJackson]

The 4x20's are Deere motors. However the (a) turbo acts itself as a muffler. In fact on most turbo charged motors you could (COULD) run no muffler and there would be little difference.

While at my local Deere dealer (I had a question for one of the technicians), I was watching one of the techs operate a 4320 or 4520 (also have the Deere engine). I didn't think the engine noise was bad at all...personal opinion, of course.

 

[JD 4520]

sweetjeep -

If you are in need of a generator, I would highly recommend getting a generator and not using your tractor to power one. Good generators set up properly are great. I have many years experience with two different set-ups, both done properly are great.

1. I have used a Honda 6500 Watt (in my case) in conjunction with a manual generator transfer switch (GTS) sub panel. You hard wire the GTS to your main panel, selecting what you wish to power. This is all manual connection when the power outage occurs and can be quite easy to operate with minimal knowledge. My wife has made the connection many times during outages. This is gasoline operated. You can also get a similar natural gas or propane unit that is very reasonably priced.

2. I currently have a Cummins 20K which has an automatic GTS and connects the entire panel and therefore the entire house. You can get diesel, natural gas or propane. Everyone has their preference on fuel.

In either case you need to know your power requirements and can't over tax the unit. Not difficult to figure out on the front side. These units are made to run many hours continuously. The Honda unit has several thousand hours on it and still runs great. Regular oil changes needed. The Honda or the like with manual GTS would be my recommendation.

Any other questions let me know.