Generator Selection?

[ultrarunner]

Being in the midst of some severe smoke at the moment, I can say that unless the flames are on your generator, it won't be an issue. Our AQI is 220+ at the moment, and the CO monitor is still zero.

All the best,

Peter

Good to know as some generators were right at the fireline powering pumps...

 

[Diggin It]

Potential ship date now of Thursday the 8th for the transfer switch. If it happens, I should have it next Tuesday or so.

 

[cdaigle430]

Good job for Wifey. Just tell her not to touch anything. lol

Isn't running a PTO set unattended like running ones tractor, taping over the gauges, not being able to detect smoke and no being able to hear what's going on? I kind of think so. I did have the hydraulics quit for no reason on another tractor running this same generator. Sheit happens.

I cant bring myself to run a tractor unattended let alone a PTO generator. It would rob me the benefits of having one here in Maine. Besides most of the storms where I lose power I need the tractor anyway for clearing snow.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Come to think of it, I don't really like running my 15" PTO chipper with the tractor. Much of the time, the tractor screaming away, doing nothing as you fetch another log. I know, any Diesel chipper would be the same, but somehow this seems different.

 

[daugen]

Good to know as some generators were right at the fireline powering pumps...

and if you were running HEPA air purifiers in your home like many do, good that they keep running too...

 

[ponytug]

Come to think of it, I don't really like running my 15" PTO chipper with the tractor. Much of the time, the tractor screaming away, doing nothing as you fetch another log. I know, any Diesel chipper would be the same, but somehow this seems different.

Unless you have a cheap diesel running your tractor, it is different! Your tractor engine is probably much pricier than the diesel engine in the chipper. So an engine hour on the tractor probably costs more.

That said, I run my chipper with my tractor, mainly because a chipper of equivalent performance costs more than my tractor. YMMV... I did look into repowering it with a leftover diesel from somewhere, but I wasn't able to find a cheap engine.

All the best,

Peter

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Unless you have a cheap diesel running your tractor, it is different! Your tractor engine is probably much pricier than the diesel engine in the chipper. So an engine hour on the tractor probably costs more.
Peter

Why would I worry about that? According to the guys on TBN, these tractors will run 15,000 hours with only oil changes, is your power going to be off THAT much? Will you live long enough to wear one out??

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

I feel like it's a no win situation. Buy a chipper with a fairly worn diesel and possible have trouble and expense, or use my low hours John Deere for a PTO chipper. I'm a little worried about the DEERE PTO clutch. It takes a lot to get the 1000# cutter wheel turning, The clutch on the chipper is just screaming! The chipper is geared up in speed with belts. You don't really want to start and stop it more than you have to.

 

[LouNY]

Well I see the National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for my area so I guess tomorrow I'll get one of the tractors unhooked and ready to go on the generator if needed, and if needed I'll sleep just fine with it running unattended.

 

[3Ts]

My biggest problem with the tractor powered generators is the rain associated with a power outage. I had (about 35 years ago) a PTO generator but it could only be used outside in good weather, I now have a stationary dedicated generator for the house. (I've not checked to see if the newer ones have this limitation.)