MM Generator?

[Aquaman]

I will probably never use a MMM on my BX24 and was wondering if anyone had ever tried permanently mounting a generator head connected to front PTO? Normal (rear) PTO generators are awfully darn pricey and would require removal of BH. There must be a better way!!

 

[KeithInSpace]

There was a recent thread on this subject. Mounting was tough, as was getting the higher rotational velocity of the MM PTO down to a "standard" speed to support the right generator frequency. Don't recall the resolution, but there were certainly some setbacks to the whole thing.

If you get it to work, it sure would be cool, though!

 

[robbieo11]

didn't the guy use a jack shat and rollerchain/gearss for that project???

 

[Skyco]

I'm building just such a project- I am using a jack shaft and roller chain.
Actually the mid PTO is too slow and needs to be geared UP to drive most generators. I plan on running the mid at 1800 and go up by a factor of two to spin the generator at the required 3600. There are 1800 rpm generator heads but they cost WAY more

 

[Aquaman]

I hope it works out--sounds like a good plan. Being able to use power tools out in the woods would be almost like cheating. I see Harbor Freight selling those generator heads for $300 once in awhile and then I see the price of the PTO gens. Ouch. Keep us posted and send lotsa pictures!!!!

 

[Skyco]

Yup the HF head is the one I'm using, got it on sale for a good price.
I actually own several small gasoline generators already from 600 watt up to 5000 and they are way more convenient to use since set up on the BX24 powered one would take a few minutes. BUT- if I ever need AC for an extended time the diesel powered one from the tractor makes more sense. Plus I just like to build stuff Now that it has cooled off*, yeah right, I need to get back on that project.

*Breaking records this week- over 80 deg highs here in SC

 

[ndnparts]

Not unusual, but I'm confused. My BX24 manual says the mid PTO runs at 2800. Are you just planning to run at idle? Personally, I'd just go with a portable over racking up hours on the K, but that's just me. It does sound like a fun project if for nothing else than the challenge. Stan

I'm building just such a project- I am using a jack shaft and roller chain.
Actually the mid PTO is too slow and needs to be geared UP to drive most generators. I plan on running the mid at 1800 and go up by a factor of two to spin the generator at the required 3600. There are 1800 rpm generator heads but they cost WAY more

 

[Soundguy]

Normal (rear) PTO generators are awfully darn pricey

They are way cheaper than the ones tied to throw away gas engines!

Soundguy

 

[Mickey_Fx]

I'm building just such a project- I am using a jack shaft and roller chain.
..... There are 1800 rpm generator heads but they cost WAY more

As has been mentioned a number of times on the forum, there are the ST design gen heads that run at 1800 RPM, are designed for 24/7/365 operation. They are from china and like anything from China, there are good and not so good companies making these. They are quite heavy and run in price from $300 to $500 depending upon size. Can be found being offered on E-bay from several different sellers. If one were interested in one of these I'd give serious thought of purchasing one from seller sawyer335 (may have the numbers wrong). He seems to be tighed in to groups interested in off grid power generation.

 

[Skyco]

My BX24 manual says the mid PTO runs at 2800.

It can also run slower if you throttle the engine back some, it will be higher than idle. Thats what I'm planning to do...don't want the tractor running WFO just to power a generator

 

[Soundguy]

It can also run slower if you throttle the engine back some, it will be higher than idle. Thats what I'm planning to do...don't want the tractor running WFO just to power a generator

Hmm? why not... that's where your rated power is.

Don't assume that 1/2 throttle = 1/2 rated pto power. You may be surprised to find that it is alot less. And once you ratio lock it with that chain drive kit.. you can't simply throttle up to get more power, as the frequency will be wrong.

It's a tractor.. it's made to run at rated pto rpm with a load.. for long periods of time...

soundguy

 

[Skyco]

Hmm? why not... that's where your rated power is.

Because I don't want to I'm primarily looking for fuel efficiency for long term outages. It may also get used at my mountain property in the summer to power an air conditioner- I have no commercial power there...

Don't assume that 1/2 throttle = 1/2 rated pto power. You may be surprised to find that it is alot less. And once you ratio lock it with that chain drive kit.. you can't simply throttle up to get more power, as the frequency will be wrong.

Agreed- But I don't need full power from the generator for anything I can think of...5kW will run all I need.

It's a tractor.. it's made to run at rated pto rpm with a load.. for long periods of time...

Ok. But I still don't want to

soundguy

*If* I find I need more power I can alter the chain drive ratios and power up the tractor a little more -- the 2x ratio requires 2250 RPM from the engine, which should be well in the torque curve- but who knows? Kubota doesn't publish the graphs.....

 

[Soundguy]

Don't assume that 1/2 throttle = 1/2 rated pto power. You may be surprised to find that it is alot less. And once you ratio lock it with that chain drive kit.. you can't simply throttle up to get more power, as the frequency will be wrong.

Agreed- But I don't need full power from the generator for anything I can think of...5kW will run all I need......

I don't see where you have told us the size of the head, or the intende dload ( previous to this message concerning the load ).

Since i did not know what size head you had.. that's why I made the comment about hp / rpm.. IE.. just as a general comment.. more specific data would have garnered more specific comments...

Soundguy

 

[Skyco]

Sorry- previous thread about it -

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/kubota-owning-operating/105214-btx24-mid-power-take-off.html?highlight=mid+pto+generator

It is a 10kw head....anyway when I get a round tuit I may indeed have to experiment with ratios to get it right...

 

[Soundguy]

Makes more sense now. thanks

soundguy

 

[Aquaman]

Maybe a guy could just buy a hydraulic motor to drive the gen head. that way, he could pick one that will give the desired rpm at the flow rate for whatever engine speed he wants. would also let you mount gen where it fits the best.

 

[pdowling1]

A hydraulic drive wouldn't work well, itwouldn't give consistent rotational speed with varying load, and is not very efficient either. Nice thought though.

 

[Aquaman]

Hey Skyco,
Just wondered if you had made any progress on this project. The more uses I come up with, the more I want to do this. Let me know how you're getting along!!!