Generator Belt Drive ?? Generator

[tc35dforme]

Hi, I have recently obtained a 4000 watt generator head that was used only once with a v-belt driven from a pulley mounted to an old tractor PTO. I thought it would be nice to have as a backup or remote power supply. I plan on building a frame that can be attached to the 3-point hitch, but am not sure what is the best option for drives. I need to get from 540 PTO RPM to 3000 Generator RPM ( 1:5.5 ratio ).

I haven't spent much time on research yet. Is a direct mount gear drive critter available to do the job ?? Is a belt the way to go ?? Should I just throwmy 5500 watt Generac in the loader bucket and forget about it ???

Thanks

 

[Mrwurm]

I have no idea how to set this up but I am sure that you will have fun and satisfaction getting it to work.

Jerry

 

[yellowdog99502]

If the original pulley for the generator is still attached, you're about a 1/4 of the way there. Match that to a coordinating larger pulley that mounts on a yoke that fits on the PTO shaft, build your frame and off you go.

Personally I would strongly advise you to stay with the belt drive idea. Keep in mind the alingment variables with the 3-point hitch. The belt types are much more forgiving.

The majority of my experience with direct drives has been centered on 1:1 flex couplings or the 'Lovejoy' types. The few times we tried direct gearing to increase or reduce shaft speeds, we got into alignment troubles which translate to bearing and/or seal problems. These 'experiments' were done in a stationary environment where everything was bolted or welded in place. We did not have to deal with the issues created by the 3-point.

Let us know how it works out!

Don

 

[Egon]

I'd also go with the v belt drive. It will make life much simpler.

Also think of pulley sizes and tractor RPM as at 4000 watts I doubt that you will require the power delivered at 540 RPM.

Remember to make belt quards and shields for the rotating parts.

Also consider the type of bearings on the generator. Will they take a side load from the belt drive.

Egon

 

[tc35dforme]

Egon,

I never considered that I could run at a lower RPM...Thanks for the awakening. 4000 watts will only need about 10 HP.

Now I ask this question. Is the RPM of the PTO shaft a direct function of the engine RPM ( linear relationship ) ? I would think so, but someone must know for sure.

This may get good. I can buy a 4000 watt stand alone unit for $ 600. I'll probably spend twice that playing with this one /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[Egon]

Unless you have a very unusual tractor design the PTO rpm will vary directly with the engine rpm.

Egon

 

[hazmat]

yup - the pto speed is a linear relationship to engine rpm. While you need to do the calcs to be sure your gear ratio is in the right ball park, once you've got it built, you can use a volt meter to fine tune the tractor rpms.

Regarding your belt drive setup. I'd recommend you keep all the pulley's rigidly attached to your platform & run a pto shaft with universals & the sliding spline feature to your tractor PTO. This will keep the tractor - generator alignment from being critical & fussy - epescially compared to attaching the pulley directly to the tractor PTO.

If I had more time, I'd do up a sketch for you.

Good luck, sonds like a good "yankee" project.

 

[Soundguy]

Yes.. pto rpm is direct proportional to engine rpm.. though as you speculate.. you r tractor will be running with realitively a light load.. perhaps you can change that ratio a bit higher, and have your tractor running at less than pto speed...

Soundguy

 

[tc35dforme]

I like that option Hazmat. A nice platform with the working end and drive assembly with a short shaft to the PTO. Would make a nice easy hook-up.

Hmm, pulleys...$ 20.00, belt...$12.00, drive adapter.....$ 50.00, PTO Shaft....$ 75.00, Frame / guards...

Getting it done even if it costs more than new one in a box...PRICELESS. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[chim]

Throw in a few bucks for a meter to check frequency. Could be more thean a few bucks. A dedicated frequency meter may be cheap, but a decent Fluke (or=) can set you back a few hundred.

Output voltage is important, and getting the cycles right is a big deal, especially if you connect motors, transformers or electronics to the genset........................chim