Baumalight PTO Generator

[Paystar]

So I just did some reading on this subject using the search function. I'm still thinking I am going to get one.
Yesterday we had a 10 hour power outage for "maintenance" And of course after years of dependable service my generator decided to not start. It's been kept indoors it's whole life. I carry it outside when needed. Always use non ethanol gasoline, treat it with Marine Stabil, run it monthly.
So decided since I have four tractors with PTO's that always start and run even in minus 40, a PTO generator is the way to go?
I'm in Canada so these are the prices for the options I am looking at. The Baumalight TX12 is $5000
A Kubota diesel generator is $7000 for 7 KW and $12,000 for 12 KW
A Generac whole home system is $12,000 here.
And a decent Honda portable is $4500

So I'm thinking the Bauma is my best bang for the buck, and as I said have multiple tractors that never fail me.
Anything I should rethink here?

 

[CalG]

So I just did some reading on this subject using the search function. I'm still thinking I am going to get one.
Yesterday we had a 10 hour power outage for "maintenance" And of course after years of dependable service my generator decided to not start. It's been kept indoors it's whole life. I carry it outside when needed. Always use non ethanol gasoline, treat it with Marine Stabil, run it monthly.
So decided since I have four tractors with PTO's that always start and run even in minus 40, a PTO generator is the way to go?
I'm in Canada so these are the prices for the options I am looking at. The Baumalight TX12 is $5000
A Kubota diesel generator is $7000 for 7 KW and $12,000 for 12 KW
A Generac whole home system is $12,000 here.
And a decent Honda portable is $4500

So I'm thinking the Bauma is my best bang for the buck, and as I said have multiple tractors that never fail me.
Anything I should rethink here?

I've looked hard at the Smallest Bauma. There is a "dealer" not to far away, But I'm sure freight would add up for my location.

I've got Four tractors that can spin a pto at 540 for hours on end.

Why do I delay?

the little Honda powered Homelite
Serves us well enough?

 

[Tinhack]

Five grand seems a little pricey for a 12Kw generator without an engine. The Westinghouse 28Kw is $3350.

 

[RBsingl]

I thought about a PTO driven generator but when power fails you still have to hook it up and start the tractor so there is a convenience issue and also a problem if you are traveling because of food spoilage/freezing pipes, etc.

After dealing with a 7.5KW gas portable for 14 years, I installed a 40 KW diesel powered standby generator with an autostart transfer switch. I installed it myself which wasn't difficult but even without an installation charge total cost for the generator, auto transfer switch, and materials was almost $13K.

I could have gone with a cheaper auto transfer switch but after looking at several possibles I went with an Asco commercial 300 series which is more sophisticated and capable than the typical "homeowner" grade transfer switches and allows programmable timing of how long to wait to start after an outage, warmup time before transfer, delay time to transfer back after commercial power returns, and it does an in-phase transfer of power back to commercial once it returns.

The generator controller monitors engine parameters (fuel level, coolant and oil temp, oil pressure, etc.) along with generator output (voltage, current output for each 120 V leg and total, frequency) and will shut down if parameters go out of spec.

I looked at this as a long term purchase and the convenience is worth it. Now if the power fails in the middle of the night, the generator auto starts 6 seconds after commercial power fails and goes into a 4 minute warm up period before transferring the load. If commercial power returns during the warm-up timer, it will run for 5 minutes after commercial power returns and then shuts down if there are no additional outages in that 5 minute period. After it transfers to the generator during an outage, it stays on generator power for 5 minutes after power returns to ensure it is stable/reliable and then goes into cool down mode before stopping and waiting for the next outage. The transfer switch maintains a log of events to show outages, generator operation, any errors, etc.

Now if the power goes off during a snow storm in the middle of the night, instead of heading to the barn and wheeling a portable generator to the house in the snow I can just stay in bed and in a few minutes power is back on again. I have the auto transfer switch located where the commercial feed enters the property and I can look out my bedroom window and see the LED indicators on the controller indicating the status of commercial and generator power. Over the longer term, the price doesn't seem bad. The Mitsubishi 4 cylinder 3.3L turbo-diesel that drives the generator is a fuel sipper rated at 2.4 GPH running at its rated 40KW load and in my experience where it is running at a much lower average output it averages about 1 GPH consumption so the 80 gallon tank will keep it going during a long outage without refill.

Rodger

 

[Roadworthy]

One must evaluate need before considering a generator at all. I've been in this house about twenty years. It's an all electric home with a pump in the well to consider. I've had three power outages in that time, none of which lasted over two hours. I decided I don't NEED a generator.

 

[bdhsfz6]

Last fall, I sold my Baumalight 12K generator and replaced it with a self powered Kubota 11K. I paid $3200 for the Baumalight back in 2008 after a one week outage. The Kubota set me back $7500 but to me, it was worth the price.

I have two tractors and I originally thought I could dedicate one for generator use but there always seemed to be other tasks more important. That meant having to hook up the genny every time the power went out.

I used to back the tractor up to the barn door so the genny could stay dry but the tractor remained out in the elements. That meant getting wet or freezing every time it needed fuel. If I wasn't careful, it would run out and require bleeding the fuel system to get it running again.

It's so much more convenient with the Kubota. It sits in the back of the barn on wheels in case it has to be moved. I rigged a thru wall exhaust so no doors have to be opened. It starts remotely from the house and the fuel can be monitored from inside as well. Refueling is done inside the barn so no getting wet or freezing required.

I may install an auto transfer switch next year for added convenience.

 

[LouNY]

I have been well served by my 25KW 4 pole pto generator.
It has run for a few thousands of hours over the last 3 decades or so with many different tractors running her at various times.
I would like a standalone auto start auto transfer unit this 30 year old unit is and has served me quite well.

 

[Paystar]

One must evaluate need before considering a generator at all. I've been in this house about twenty years. It's an all electric home with a pump in the well to consider. I've had three power outages in that time, none of which lasted over two hours. I decided I don't NEED a generator.

I get probably at least 4 per year for "scheduled maintenance" that last from 8 to 10 hours.
Plus the short outtages all winter due to storms.
The big Kubota, or a Generac might be nice, but more than I want to spend.
Plus then back to another engine that sits more than it runs.
I figure at least tractors are all always ready to go. And I don't trade or sell so the hours don't bother me.

 

[LouNY]

I get probably at least 4 per year for "scheduled maintenance" that last from 8 to 10 hours.
Plus the short outtages all winter due to storms.
The big Kubota, or a Generac might be nice, but more than I want to spend.
Plus then back to another engine that sits more than it runs.
I figure at least tractors are all always ready to go. And I don't trade or sell so the hours don't bother me.

Even 10 days of straight operation would only add 240 hours to a tractor. So out of several thousand just a drop in the bucket.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

How efficient is the tractor vs a power unit in terms of fuel ?

We don't lose power enough for me to justify buying anything but my buddy bought a military surplus gen for his house. While it could power most of his house like normal, it cost so much in fuel he just bought some candles instead

We had a really bad winter storm a few years ago so we just turned the water off to the house and went out of town

 

[LouNY]

Most of my tractors seem to run close to a gallon per hour, depending on the loads and the tractor.
Expensive but being on a well for water and desiring to keep the freezers cold and the house at a comfortable level. We figure it is worth the fuel cost.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

A well would change things, especially if it is susceptible to damage if left unpowered

 

[LouNY]

A well would change things, especially if it is susceptible to damage if left unpowered

The worst is really not for human consumption, but for flushing the commodes.

 

[Shenandoah MF1760]

One factor to consider is the noise. The PTO generators I've looked at want you running at rated PTO speed which isn't going to hurt the tractor but will be loud up next to the house.

I've had to deal with multiple days without power due to hurricanes and after years dealing with generators I've settled on units that can run on propane. I've never had an issue starting using propane.

One thing to consider is how clean the power output is. Refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers etc. are all chock full of sensitive electronic bits. I'm fairly convinced the one generator I used fried the fridge and those things are expensive with minimal warranties nowadays. That particular generator also trips my GFCI outlet in my RV on an all too frequent basis.

There are dedicated surge protectors designed specifically for refrigerators and I now have one on the far too expensive replacement.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

One factor to consider is the noise. The PTO generators I've looked at want you running at rated PTO speed which isn't going to hurt the tractor but will be loud up next to the house.

My tractor running my PTO generator next to the house is quiet enough that any noise in the house drowns it out, of course my tractor has the stock muffler on it too.

It just purrs away powering my whole house, for as long as I want.

SR

 

[zzvyb6]

I have 2 diesel JD lawn mowers (F935 for very tall field grass and scrub cutting, and a 1435 for Finnish or Swedish lawn care). I can run my 45/25 Winpower pto genny from either machine with just a simple connection: just the driveshaft. YES, I know, their 24 h.p. can't make full use of the capability of the generator, but even on the hottest day, I can't tax the system. I use a Kill-O-Watt plug-in to set the throttle for 60 Hz. Don't need to run 24/7. Just long enough for heat, water, meal prep, and charging the phones.

Plus you never know when you might want to take your welder out back to fix a broken fence, machine, or hitch. Easily transported, too, in case your neighbor needs help.

 

[LouNY]

One factor to consider is the noise. The PTO generators I've looked at want you running at rated PTO speed which isn't going to hurt the tractor but will be loud up next to the house.

My tractor running my PTO generator next to the house is quiet enough that any noise in the house drowns it out, of course my tractor has the stock muffler on it too.

It just purrs away powering my whole house, for as long as I want.

SR

Yep, Once I'm in the house it's not even noticeable. When I use my Branson I can use the 540E to be able to throttle back some and have the right rpm. And it's even quieter then, had the farms IH 7220 on it one time and used the 1000 rpm with the adapter and half throttle that was real nice she had been turned up a bit and was close to 200 hp on the pto. That one did excellent on fuel.

Had to laugh a bit one time many years ago we had a widespread long duration power outage in the winter. My mother was living with me at time and under Hospice care. The visiting Hospice nurse came by one morning and when she got in the house exclaimed you've got power.
She had just walked within 3 feet of the Oliver 1550 singing along at pto speed.

 

[Paystar]

I ordered the Bauma Light TX12 yesterday. I did the 8 week delivery option and got a good rebate for it, since I'm in no big hurry. I might get one of their stump grinders too.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I ordered the Bauma Light TX12 yesterday. I did the 8 week delivery option and got a good rebate for it, since I'm in no big hurry. I might get one of their stump grinders too.

I bought a TX12 in 2008 and used it for 14 trouble free years before switching to a whole house installation. Got almost what I paid when I resold it. You should be quite happy with your choice.

 

[Paystar]

I bought a TX12 in 2008 and used it for 14 trouble free years before switching to a whole house installation. Got almost what I paid when I resold it. You should be quite happy with your choice.

Good to hear! Thanks.
I went with the three point hitch cradle also, just to make it easier for the wife if I'm ever not home. I'll just leave it on the tractor, then she just has to plug in to the the transfer switch on the house meter.