Generators to support major operations

[hr3]

For years I would load test our Hospital Emergency Power Generator weekly.

About 7 years ago I was informed that new air management regulations limited testing to once every other week...

Note... this generator was state of the art in 1995... so the regs went into effect on a 10 year old unit with less than 300 total hours.

Environmental Regs now trump many other regs and established standards of care.

Must have been in Calf,, Wow air management having the authority over the NFPA..

 

[SPIKER]

Back a few years ago, one of the recent hurricanes if I remember right or tornado issue. There were many large poultry farms (corporate run places with strict practices to follow) that lost 90% of their chickens as power went out and the fans all quit, basically got low O2 levels and quick kill took the chickens out. The Turkey barns fared a bit better as they were not as crowded. Seems the Corporations felt the line power was good enough to be on all time. But if it was off then no one felt the chickens would have issues, think they figured they would be fine without fresh air.

Most of the locals (farmers) all have large PTO generators or stationary back up power units. The ones running critters do for sure if they have to have food, water and lighting (required by law for Milking Operations I believe otherwise any power drop all stored milk must be dumped?!) Seems I heard that back 20 years ago but can't really remember if it was law or just the milk buyer requirements.


Mark

 

[ultrarunner]

Must have been in Calf,, Wow air management having the authority over the NFPA..

Yes... each stationary source must be registered with a annual fee paid based on stack output and at least once a year an inspector will show up to examine and check maintenance records for compliance.

 

[Larry Caldwell]

Most farmers I know (including myself) have pto generators and plenty of tractors to drive it, even if only occasionally to run well(s), a grinder mixer, silo un-loader, milk house and lights. These are usually 3 phase capable machines. My WinPower 50kw has 3 phase and single phase taps for 240 and 120v feeds. We generally have a transfer switch on the local pole so that the whole farmstead has electricity.

So, I'm surprised that the farmer would have a 'beef'. A machine like I have can easily be had for under $3000. A serious farmer would commit a JD 4020 like machine to run it, with 500 to 1000 gal of on-hand diesel fuel to supply it.

Exactly. The dairy next door to my mother milks over 1000 head. When the power goes out, they lose maybe 20 to 30 minutes of milking time, just long enough to back a tractor up to the generator.

For pumping water, you don't even need electricity. I rigged up a 4" centrifugal to run off the PTO. I don't use it often, but can move a lot of water fast from any location I can get the tractor to.

 

[3930dave]

Back a few years ago, one of the recent hurricanes if I remember right or tornado issue. There were many large poultry farms (corporate run places with strict practices to follow) that lost 90% of their chickens as power went out and the fans all quit, basically got low O2 levels and quick kill took the chickens out. The Turkey barns fared a bit better as they were not as crowded. Seems the Corporations felt the line power was good enough to be on all time. But if it was off then no one felt the chickens would have issues, think they figured they would be fine without fresh air.

Most of the locals (farmers) all have large PTO generators or stationary back up power units. The ones running critters do for sure if they have to have food, water and lighting (required by law for Milking Operations I believe otherwise any power drop all stored milk must be dumped?!) Seems I heard that back 20 years ago but can't really remember if it was law or just the milk buyer requirements.


Mark

Today, you have to be (really) good with both a calculator and a tractor, but that chicken disaster was caused by a bean counter, not an ag engineer.

I first saw the general media reports back in '98 concerning dairy problems. Can't say I know the current regs on dairy here. A vet or a dairyman may correct me, but the impression I got was that if today's breeds go long at all w/o being milked, serious problems (mastitis) can set in.

Without even considering having to dump milk, the financial loss risk to a herd should make purchasing an appropriate generator a know () brainer.

Rgds, D.

 

[Scooby074]

Dave, Im no vet, but Ive been around barns enough to know that mastitis is a real concern and the girls have to be milked regularly to prevent it

 

[buickanddeere]

Yes... each stationary source must be registered with a annual fee paid based on stack output and at least once a year an inspector will show up to examine and check maintenance records for compliance.

What an Empire of power, control and authority they have built. The bureaucrats won't ever give that up willingly.

 

[3930dave]

Dave, Im no vet, but Ive been around barns enough to know that mastitis is a real concern and the girls have to be milked regularly to prevent it

Yes, that's also what I retained as a kid, from my uncle's small operation.

From what I can see, mastitus is a bacterial problem. The udders may just need to be cleaned regularily to prevent infection. 50 head, you can do by hand; doesn't track so well as the numbers scale though.

Rgds, D.

 

[Scooby074]

Yes, that's also what I retained as a kid, from my uncle's small operation.

From what I can see, mastitus is a bacterial problem. The udders may just need to be cleaned regularily to prevent infection. 50 head, you can do by hand; doesn't track so well as the numbers scale though.

Rgds, D.

There is bacteria for sure and that can cause diesease (thats why the teat dips). I think its more the inflammation from a full udder that is the main cause. Again Im no vet and only know what the farmers say.

 

[3930dave]

There is bacteria for sure and that can cause diesease (thats why the teat dips). I think its more the inflammation from a full udder that is the main cause. Again Im no vet and only know what the farmers say.

Probably both are factors. Any which way you look at it, I can't imagine setting up a modern high volume dairy operation w/o standby power support.

Rgds, D.