PTO Generator for a Kubota 7500HSD

[Semper Fidelis]

I'm hoping I can get some advice. I am contemplating the purchase of a PTO generator as I figured that I'd prefer a diesel generator and I have a tractor with a diesel engine. Might as well have one engine to maintain rather than two. By the way, I meant for the title to note that I own a B7500HSD tractor.

My questions:

1. Any known drawbacks to PTO generators? Any concern that it could ruin my tractor earlier? We only face power outages once every year or so here.

2. My Kubota has a 17HP PTO. How much power can I expect to generate? I've seen some calculations that limit power generation to 1 KW for every 2 HP. Will it limit the generator to 8.5KW?

3. What PTO generator brand would you recommend and where would you recommend I purchase it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dex3361]

Here is a good place to start. Generators Direct

You are likely to get a little better than the 2 for 1 ratio out of the diesel. So you could count on at least 8.5KW but likely higher possibly 1.6hp to 1KW. Get a 10 - 15KW and you will be good to go. I have a 15KW HF generator and I have run it on my 10hp on the PTO BX1500 just fine. I will never get 15KW out of it but it is more fuel effiecient than my L4400 and just thought I would try it.

 

[Ed of all trades]

My Massey has 18.?? hp and Monday i plan to order a 13 KW from northern. less than $1500and I hope it will do well for us. I probably won't get quite the rated power from it but I should get close, the 7 KW needs 14 hp and the 13 KW needs 25 hp so I figure I should get around 10 KW. I know of guys using 30 KW with a 35 HP tractor, works well they just don't get the whole 30.

 

[nybirdman]

I purchased a "Tiger Power' PTO generator a few years ago.10K rated .Only had to use it a couple times but it has worked well.Mine is run by a 35HP pto rated tractor ,a little over kill but does the job.Mine burns about a gallon an hour at pto speeds.

 

[dex3361]

I say that the ration may be more like 1.6 HP (diesel engine) to 1 KW from industrial generators and how they are rated. I have been working on a 600KW Cat generator and it has a 970HP engine. You will just have to test it and you know you will get at least 1 KW for each HP.

 

[newbury]

With even the SMALL PTO generators going for > $1.5K consider getting a Craigs List brand (anything that shows up on Craigs List). I got a Winco 12KW for $600.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachments/247124-winco-12ptoc-3-b-12kw.html

 

[CamshaftLF]

Have a (TIGER POWER 10kw) also its 6yrs old purchased it new has done a great job. my tractor is an L2350 21hp at pto 25 26 engine . my tiger power has a built in regulater if over rpm'ed it does'nt overpower the circuits thats a nice feature. Have it mounted in my garage i take a panel off beside my walk in door an hook up the driveshaft flip a couple switches and everythings lit up it runs my hole house and garage its 36X48x12high, a well pump, outdoor furnace hot water heat 5 zones, an i dont hv to run the tractor at the 540rpm on tach only about 2000rpm's 540 is 2300rpm on my tractor. it has LED lights an LED numbers of voltage output, the lights giude u for rpm they start with RED then YELLOW then to GREEN then to YELLOW again an RED as u bring the rpm's up to the GREEN to one YELLOW flickering and im set to go...I live in the middle of PA. 25 miles north of PSU. so with this noreaster coming by tomorrow nite i am almost sure it will be running... on average it takes 7500kw to run a house depending on what all u have to run. hope this helps..

 

[steviep]

The only thing I don't like about a pto generator is if you need your tractor you have to disconnet power. Most power losses around here is storms and trees falling compination. A couple of storms my tractor and chainsaw were a nesessary. But if you are without power any generator is nice.

 

[daybreak1998]

I'm hoping I can get some advice. I am contemplating the purchase of a PTO generator as I figured that I'd prefer a diesel generator and I have a tractor with a diesel engine. Might as well have one engine to maintain rather than two. By the way, I meant for the title to note that I own a B7500HSD tractor.

My questions:

1. Any known drawbacks to PTO generators? Any concern that it could ruin my tractor earlier? We only face power outages once every year or so here.

2. My Kubota has a 17HP PTO. How much power can I expect to generate? I've seen some calculations that limit power generation to 1 KW for every 2 HP. Will it limit the generator to 8.5KW?

3. What PTO generator brand would you recommend and where would you recommend I purchase it?

Thanks in advance!

Howdy,
The plus's are you don't maintain another engine just sitting there which still needs to be exercised. A PTO generator can take a little more abuse about time sitting. Even if you need your tractor after the storm, disconnect and do your stuff, and then re-connect. Say the power is out for 5 days, are you going to need it all five days? Dex3361 is correct, most times its easier to tell everyone that its 2hp for each 1kw produced, but to get more precise, it's approx. 1.62 PTO shaft hp per 1 kw produced. Some are worried about putting hours on their tractor. I say, you bought it to use it.

Smaller PTO generators have whats known as a 2-pole head, which means it needs to spin along at 3600rpm to produce your clean 120/240 60Hz power. The gear drive in front of the alternator does this conversion from your pto shaft. With this in mind, the mechanical noise is present. Larger PTO generator use 4-pole head, which needs to spin along at 1800rpm. With this in mind, you will have less noise, and more longevity out of the unit.

NOTE; The way PTO shaft horsepower is measured, and the true 540rpm shaft rotation is through 1kw produced. So if your little gauge says you need it at 2250rpm for true 540, but then you have the PTO generator attached and you actually only need it at 2000rpm for it to work correctly, then that is the very definition of true correct pto 540 speed.