PTO generator on CK20S HST?

[whiskywizard]

I need some backup power at home; a few lights, air handler, fireplace blowers, well pump... usual stuff. I'm considering a PTO generator but even the smallest ones want about 20HP at the PTO. The CK20S falls a bit short here. However, real world experience is more important.

Has anyone had success running a smallish PTO generator (~10kW) on a CK20S HST?

 

[CobyRupert]

Regardless of the rating of the generator, the power in (tractor mechanical hp) only needs to match the power out (electricity). Using extreme examples: You could hook a 15hp tractor to a 1000kW (1300hp) generator and as long as your electrical demands don't exceed 15hp (11kW)(ignoring starting inrush of motors, etc...) you'll be fine. What it also means is that if you exceed 15hp (11kW) of electrical load, you'll stall the tractor rather than trip a breaker or fry the generator, which is what happens when you have the opposite and normal condition of a large motor on a smaller generator (and an electrical load that exceeds the generators rating).

 

[whiskywizard]

Thanks Coby; that makes perfect sense.

So with some inefficiency and losses, I should be able to get very close to 10kW continuous electric out of the 16HP PTO I have.

 

[Rock knocker]

Coby is completely right, except that a 1300hp generator might have too much inertial mass to even be turned by a 15 hp tractor:laughing:

 

[whiskywizard]

Coby is completely right, except that a 1300hp generator might have too much inertial mass to even be turned by a 15 hp tractor:laughing:

Ya - I knew he was just making a point. I get it; I only look dumb.

 

[CobyRupert]

Coby is completely right, except that a 1300hp generator might have too much inertial mass to even be turned by a 15 hp tractor:laughing:

Yeah, might have to feather the PTO clutch a bit, but I bet once you get it turning you'd be able to start a 15hp motor with no voltage (or rpm/frequency ) dip!

 

[whiskywizard]

I'm just starting my homework on these PTO generators. Are there any that I need to steer clear of? I found these IMD models from another thread in the TBN Attachments threads. Any good/bad experiences with them?

 

[MotorSeven]

I turn a 25Kw PTo generator with my DK40SE Hst. I get full rated output at about 2000 rpm...hope this helps.

 

[90cummins]

A PTO generator is a good choice, I ran my 25kw Generac with my Ford 1720 with 23pto/hp.
My tractor is well maintained and always ready to run and I have approximately 500 gallons of diesel on hand at all times.
The only drawback is that the tractor is taken out of service for other tasks.
Have you estimated your power requirements or considered a smaller 3~5kw diesel generator like Yanmar. Check E-bay for military surplus diesel generators, they are good reliable 1800rpm units that won’t require taking the tractor out of service.
90cummins

 

[VictorW]

Are you dead set on a pto generator? They do work nice but as 90cummins mentioned, your tractor is out of service. Also it's building hours just running. I use an 8k stand alone that was pretty much the same price as a pto model. Fuel burn is very similar to the tractor if not a little less. Just another option.