DIY PTO Generator

[coldstream]

I'm considering building my own PTO gen. I can buy a generator head unit and will probably look for a 5KW to 8KW unit. I saw a youtube where a guy built a belt drive set up off of the PTO and that might work. I'd have to come up with a couple of 2 or 3 belt pulleys of the proper diameter to run off of my 540 or 1000 PTO speeds (probably 1000rpm because the needed pulleys would be closer in size). I'd also like to investigate using a PTO gearbox like the one's used on the commercial PTO generator units. Does anyone know of a source for a gearbox (speed increaser, 1000rpm input, 3600rpm output)? I have no idea how much such a box would cost but am curious. I've looked a bunch on-line and am coming up with nothing. Thanks for any input!

 

[buickanddeere]

Costs more to cobble together a home built contraption . Than it costs to purchase a complete pto generator.
Lots of people crippled or killed with the home brew jobs that rarely use shields, guards and covers.

 

[buickanddeere]

There is a 540 to 1800 gear box on eBay.

 

[6011Artist]

If I was looking to build a 3ph generator it would be bigger than 5-8 kw. You can buy a ready made 5-8kw generator cheaper than you could build a 3ph one. And have a lot less expensive engine running than your tractor engine that would also operate cheaper, no hrs on your tractor.

 

[coldstream]

Thanks buickanddeere for the ebay tip. I checked those out as well as the generators on the same page. Looks like it would cost me about the same to buy the components or build it myself for this size of generator. I'd still build it myself though so I can get some practice with my new welder and for the satisfaction of completing the project. Oh and I'll definitely make sure that proper guarding is installed on the exposed rotating parts! My Kubota only gets maybe 50 - 60 hours/year put on it so I'm not worried about running that sweet engine a few hours now and then for power generation. And I do not want to own another small engine which requires gas/maintenance/attention. I've already got 15 engines to take care of now between cars/tractors/motorcycles/atv's/chainsaws/weed trimmers/mowers/etc,etc,etc!

 

[Soundguy]

i'd go gearbox.

add up the $$ may be chaper to get a northern 7k unit already set.

I'd avoid belts.. slippage.. etc.. and if you make it for 1krpm and then sell the tractor and don't get another with a 1k pto.. then where are you at.

 

[stuckmotor]

I've considered building one myself, with the Harbor Freight generator head $299.99, and have subscribed to this thread for ideas. Good luck!

 

[Oldtink]

I'd do a geared drive again. You can still get some fab time in welding up a frame and base to mount it on. I drove this 12kw off of a 650 JD. It was only good for about 5 or 6kw but now the 3520 will play with 12Kw.

 

[Soundguy]

was your frame a custom bend up job.. or repurposed from something else like a mower deck shell?

just curious.


looks great by the way.

 

[stuckmotor]

I'd do a geared drive again. You can still get some fab time in welding up a frame and base to mount it on. I drove this 12kw off of a 650 JD. It was only good for about 5 or 6kw but now the 3520 will play with 12Kw.View attachment 309402

Where did you source the gearbox and head?

 

[Soundguy]

lotsa sources for heads.

northern tools.. harbor freight.. etc. ebay has a ton of them.

I've seenthe gearboxes at surplus shop...

 

[Oldtink]

I bent the H.wall SS pipe and 1/4" plate myself. It came from "electric generators direct.com. "
And thanks. I really enjoyed building it and TIG welding the pipe. The frame is actually in 4 pieces.

 

[Soundguy]

nice..

 

[hr3]

Too bad your not closer I have a 10 kw head with control box and pulleys I would give away,, Too many other projects going an I'll never get to this one,,

 

[TMB1320]

This is a DIY project that is still in progress.
The mid pto is 2000 rpm and it seems to have plenty of throttle left for full load.

BC164C - YouTube

 

[Dana Warner]

This is the belt driven PTO generator I put together. It is a 7kw military Onan. Yes it has open rotating pulleys as did much of the farm equipment I grew up around. It is being powered by a B7100 and ran 16 hours a day for 7 days. No belt slippage for the output we needed but we only ran it for heat, a few lights and misc electronics. The voltage was watched closely and once the rpm was set for 125 volts it was very steady. The parts minus the generator were about $200. Wide open throttle will run it at 540. With the PTO in high range the engine is running about 1/2 throttle.

 

[3v0]

Why but a PTO driven generator when an engine driven portable on is no more expensive ? Thinking 7 or 8 KW range.

 

[newbury]

Try searching Craigs List OFTEN.

I picked up a barely used 12KW Winco for $600 and about a week later saw a 20KW for about $900.

 

[buickanddeere]

This is the belt driven PTO generator I put together. It is a 7kw military Onan. Yes it has open rotating pulleys as did much of the farm equipment I grew up around. It is being powered by a B7100 and ran 16 hours a day for 7 days. No belt slippage for the output we needed but we only ran it for heat, a few lights and misc electronics. The voltage was watched closely and once the rpm was set for 125 volts it was very steady. The parts minus the generator were about $200. Wide open throttle will run it at 540. With the PTO in high range the engine is running about 1/2 throttle.

View attachment 309712

There are some people that try to impress other folk with how smart, capable, fit and great warriors they are. By having all manner of hazards about them and be alive to tell the tale.
I see a lazy cheapskate that is in denial.
Set the speed to Frequency, not voltage. It's an AC machine, not DC.

 

[Dana Warner]

Say what you will but it works like a charm and does exactly what I need. You can throw money around to have all the shinny new stuff you want. When we were with out power for a week. There was no gasoline to be bought only siphoned out of the vehicles. Oh no that's not safe either. I have plenty of home heating oil, and a small tractor that did what I needed. No extra engine to maintain. Why would you really need 14k in an emergency which is what this was built for? Denial hahaha what a trip.