3PT Generator Question

[TheGreyRider]

I have been looking at possibly buying a 3pt generator instead of using my gas powered in cases of lost power, i figure i need the tractor to haul the genny from the barn to the house anyway, why not just get a 3pt.

Question one is what RPM does the tractor have to run at to work? Does it matter?

Also does anyone have experience with them? Are they worth purchasing?

 

[windy acers]

Look at northern tool, you need 2 hp per 1000kw 10kw =20hp.3600 rpm is most common 1800rpm is availible at more cost but is the better set up.it is not wise to use the higher speeds of a 2 or 3 speed pto to keep the engine rpm"s lower on a 3600 rpm unit. 3600rpm is almost full throdale for most tractors.

 

[rambler]

I've no experience, but have heard what Windy says from many.

Tractor should run right at proper speed for a real 560 rpm pto speed - typically marked on the tractor RPM gauge or listed in the manual. I believe it is important to be pretty accurate here, to keep the 60 cycles correct.

--->Paul

 

[Deano]

We had a hurricane here last August. Needed my generator for 5 days. Did not run it at night, but ran it most of the day. While the generator was running, I was out with the thumb on the backhoe cleaning up trees that fell on my fences. I am glad I had use of the tractor while the wife and daughter were in the house with power.
That is just my situation. You may feel otherwise. Good luck with your decision!

 

[PHILIP8N]

PTO generators are set up for 540 rpm input, so you have to run your engine at rated PTO speed. Most PTO generators have a frequency meter so you can dial in your 60 hertz. Philip.

 

[nybirdman]

I have a Tiger Power 10K PTO Gen -set,just had to use it Jan.13-14 due to a ice storm and loss of power.Ran a total of 14 hrs and used 15 gallons of fuel on a L4240 Kubota(44hp).As stated need to run at 60HZ,which on mine is about 520 rpm pto speed.Worked very well and ran my whole house and garage.
Lots of reading here on stationary vs.Pto.I like my choice..I know my tractor will start and that I have enough fuel to run at extended outages.It takes only minutes to disconnect if I have other uses for the tractor.

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

Question based on total ignorance: does anyone make a 3-pt inverter generator - so it isn't so dependent on PTO RPM's?

It would probably be a needless complication and expense, but I'm curious.

Z.

 

[devildog1]

I have been looking at possibly buying a 3pt generator instead of using my gas powered in cases of lost power, i figure i need the tractor to haul the genny from the barn to the house anyway, why not just get a 3pt.

Question one is what RPM does the tractor have to run at to work? Does it matter?

Also does anyone have experience with them? Are they worth purchasing?

I guess it would depend if you only had one tractor and needed it for other storm related tasks during an power outage. I have 2 Honda generators and depending on what and how long I intend to run them will determine what one to use. Also remember the fuel required to run a large stand alone generator. My neighbor who operates a dairy farm has a huge PTO generator which he uses to keep the milk and barn equipment along with his house up and running. But in all fairness he has many tractors and the one I see operating the PTO Generator is usually a large IH 1066. Now he has other tractors to feed round hay bails and or keep drives clean so 18 wheelers can pick up milk. Just giving you different options, good luck.
DevilDog

 

[zzvyb6]

Yes you need to run the tractor so that the input pto is running at the generator's rated input rpm. Doesn't even have to be a tractor. I can run my 50KW Winpower off of my lawnmower for which I made a 540 pto output stub shaft.

No I don't need 100 hp to run my 50 kw generator (actually its an alternator). My tractor is 35 hp and my lawn mower was 22 hp when it was new. But I have never needed an equivalent amount of power from either motor for the house and barn, so it runs and performs its job just fine. I've NEVER hit the governor on either motor so it loafs along 100% of the time its being used.

No you don't need to run it full time. You run it long enough to get the house heated up or cooled, get water pressure up, catch some TV news, cook some dinner, or charge a phone, flashlight, computer, or weld something. Then you shut it down to use the tractor for something else if you need to. I don't understand why people feel the need to have their alternators running 24/7. In the worst of weather (hot or cold), mine is used for and hour or so and is off for several hours before its time to restart it.

 

[rbargeron]

Question based on total ignorance: does anyone make a 3-pt inverter generator - so it isn't so dependent on PTO RPM's? It would probably be a needless complication and expense, but I'm curious. Z.

As I understand inverter performance, they regulate output voltage AND frequency independent of the prime mover's rpm. They raise their engine's rpm when the total power being used requires it. It's that engine-speed-regulating function that would be difficult to connect to the tractor's engine so that it would be accurate and "play nice" with the rest of the inverter.

The simplest setup for running a generator with a tractor is to set the engine rpm to maintain a constant 60 hz generator output. Mine floats around with load a bit - maybe 59.5 to 60.5 - all the loads seem happy. I use a couple of these plug-in meters, one out by the tractor, the other in the house.

Another point I've noticed - a tractor's 2-speed pto can run a generator on the higher speed (lower engine rpm) but only if the tractor is big enough so changes in load don't affect it much. My 60 hp can loaf at 1700 rpm but but the 35 hp has to use the lower pto speed (engine at 2450 rpm) to be stable under changing load.