PTO Generator Choices

AndyMA · Jan 30, 2015

Hi I've been looking at PTO generators for years

I was looking at 15 kW but think 10 kW would suffice as my house is highly energy efficient . Zero Net with Solar PV

1) Harbor Freight PTO Generator - Tractor-Driven PTO Generator, 16,000 W Max

2)IMD Amazon.com: PTO Generator Kit 10 kW (10,000 Watt) 3 Point Carrier and PTO Shaft Drive Line Included: Home Improvement

3) Voltmaster Voltmaster PTO15/12 - 12 kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator 540 RPM

4)Winco Winco W15PTOS - 15 kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator 540 RPM

Comments suggestions?

Thanks

Andy

75HP New Holland TN75D 24HP John Deere x748SE

fried1765 · Jan 30, 2015

AndyMA
I do not own a PTO generator! ( I have a water cooled, OHV, 6500W Honda, with electric start )
For what it is worth, I would think the Harbor Freight one might be the way to go.
In the reviews to date, only one buyer out of 16 gave the HF PTO generator a bad review.
HF has 20% discount coupons all the time, so you could get one of their generators for $1300 - $260 = $1040 + tax.
Then too, if it does not operate the way you think it should, it would be very easy to return.
This, of course, is all predicated on there being a HF store within reasonable driving distance.

Ed of all trades · Jan 30, 2015

I am happy with my Northern Tool PTO generator. Have only used it a few times but it has done well.

MikeInEburg · Jan 30, 2015

I like the IMD product. I'd recommend one with Automatic Voltage Regulation (AVR) as the power quality will be better. Go to their web: IMD - The PTO Generator Specialist. for more details.

BAP · Jan 30, 2015

I purchased a Baumalight TX-12 3 years ago. It was more money than those listed, but it runs very nicely. I run it with my B2920 Kubota or my 1947 Farmall H. It is a smooth running generator and easily runs my entire house.

BaumaLight - TX Model PTO Generators

AndyMA · Jan 30, 2015

fried1765 said:
AndyMA
I do not own a PTO generator! ( I have a water cooled, OHV, 6500W Honda, with electric start )
For what it is worth, I would think the Harbor Freight one might be the way to go.
In the reviews to date, only one buyer out of 16 gave the HF PTO generator a bad review.
HF has 20% discount coupons all the time, so you could get one of their generators for $1300 - $260 = $1040 + tax.
Then too, if it does not operate the way you think it should, it would be very easy to return.
This, of course, is all predicated on there being a HF store within reasonable driving distance.

Thanks I tried to buy one at a store, we now have 4 within 30 minutes and they don't stock them. Unfortunately the 20% coupons I get exclude generators. Have you seen one that allows generators? Thanks

newbury · Jan 30, 2015

The 12KW Winco I bought several years ago is very solid unit. I've only used it a couple of times to make sure it worked. But then I only paid $600 for it with a new PTO shaft off CL.

nybirdman · Jan 30, 2015

I can power my whole house and separate garage with a 10K PTO generator.Well pump,hot water heater ,freezer ,fridge,furnace ect. Make sure you get one with a meter on it;also the proper disconnect switch.

otlski · Jan 30, 2015

I briefly looked into it a while back. The only thing of significance I found on the HF unit was that it had brushes whereas others were brushless. I did not form any opinion on the value/benefit of brushless.

xring100 · Jan 30, 2015

For me considering this is an emergency backup the Hazard Fraught would be off the list. When you need it you need it don't want want to worry about it failing at the most inopportune time. My dad bought and returned a small compressor 3 times before he said keep it and asked for a refund. First was DOA, second worked a few times Over the course of a month. Turned it in for a 3rd and he said it cycled a few times while running a nailer then died first day.

Brother in law had to return his HF electric hydraulic log splitter twice to get on that worked well. First on lasted 15 minutes. Second one about 3 months. His 3rd lasted him 2 years before he finally bought a gas dirty tools.

Maybee its just me but when my power fails its either -5°or 95°F. and its usually out for 48 hours at a time. Last outage was 5.5 days previous to that 60 hours.
I'd go for any of the reputable brands. I looked at them all a while ago but decided ill just put in a propane standby. Cheaper to run.
“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten”

Sawyer Rob · Jan 30, 2015

Well, I have the 15KW Winco, it surges to 18K, it's been a good unit and I'd buy it again.

I like the idea of buying bigger than I needed, as I have no idea what the future will bring, and I can put it on a bigger tractor and run my welder, with lights lighting the area and someone running a side grinder if needed... I can also run it with a smaller tractor when I need less power and save some fuel.

If you are buying one for emergency use, don't try to save money by buying a lower quality unit!

SR

Northcountryboy · Jan 31, 2015

I have my fathers 15kw Winco generator now and it's worked flawlessly for 30 years. I too would go with extra power rather than just enough.

fried1765 · Jan 31, 2015

For: AndyMA

I just checked three different HF coupons, and you are correct!
The HF coupons DO exclude generators.
After giving it some additional thought myself, and reading other comments here, I think I would NOT buy a HF PTO generator.
"xring100" suggests a "propane standby" (fixed?) generator, and that actually may be the best idea.
A portable 8,000 or 10,000KW propane powered unit might be a good idea also.
Propane is the best fuel to use with a generator, as it has a FOREVER shelf life!

s219 · Jan 31, 2015

The only problem with propane is that you need a lot of volume. I would have needed a massive propane tank the size of a mid size car to give the same runtime as a 55-gal drum of diesel.

Sawyer Rob · Jan 31, 2015

s219 said:
The only problem with propane is that you need a lot of volume. I would have needed a massive propane tank the size of a mid size car to give the same runtime as a 55-gal drum of diesel.

Exactly, and I don't have to have a ANOTHER motor to service like I would with a stationary genset... I always have my tractor ready to go, because it's useful all year long...

Do you remember what propane was doing last year??? (price and availability)

Diesel stores just fine, and I "wouldn't" bet that you can run a propane genset cheaper than you can run a small diesel tractor...

SR

Fallon · Jan 31, 2015

I was asking the same question a little while ago. I ended up finally finding a Winco on Craigslist. 20kw 30kw surge & about 20 years old. $1k with the ratty old trailer. I'm hoping it turns out to be a better investment than a $1,500 Harbor Freight.

Still trying to get a disconnect wired up on the house for it.

AndyMA · Jan 31, 2015

I know I've been going back adn forth for ages; I have piped in Natural Gas at the house which is way cheaper than Propane.

I've been trying to figure out if this Winco on Amazon includes the trailer and tumbling bar?

Amazon.com : Winco, Inc. PTO Single Phase Generator, 15000w 99840-003 : Power Generators : Patio, Lawn & Garden

newbury · Jan 31, 2015

While looking further into it I found that Winco once again is producing a "small" PTO generator - a 10 KW WINCO W10PTOS.
When I bought my 12 KW they had discontinued it and the 15KW was their smallest until now.

xring100 · Jan 31, 2015

1 gallon of lpg is ~90,000 btu 1 gallon of # 2 diesel is 134,000 btu.
so 81 gallons of propane has roughly the same energy equivalent of a 55 gallon drum of diesel.

I own my Propane tank at its currently is $1.80 per gallon. So as long as diesel is atleast $2.71 a gallon its cheaper to opperate on propane. Last year during my last 5 day outage gas and diesel were closer to $4 and propane was 1.90
Also during that outage is used my tractor a lot to clean up the mess from the storm.

Operating cost and depreciation
Oil and filters alone cost me over $1.40 an hour on the tractor mostly thanks to 17 gallons of hydraulic oil. My generator holds 1.5 quarts good for 100 hours and a $8 filter. Im sure the standby generators dont cost much more for maintaining.

You can probably repace the whole engine on a 10-12kw standby generator for about the cost of an injection pump replacement or rebuild on a diesel.

Natural gas would be my first choice but i dont have that option.