PTO generator/shaft question

[Freds]

I ordered a PTO generator yesterday. I did not order the PTO shaft, or tumbling bar thay called it, because I figured I could find one for less than $245. Here's the generator if anyone is interested. Voltmaster PTO15/12 PTO Generator - PTO15/12 - 12 kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator (540 RPM)

The local TSC apparently doesn't have any PTO shafts with the quick disconnect on both ends, so I went to Northern Tool's site and am looking at two shafts, one for 100 bucks and one for 270. The $270 shaft was featured on their generator's page and does say it is for a PTO generator, but I don't see why the cheaper shaft won't work. The cheaper shaft is rated to 35 hp and I've got 29 at the PTO. And the length will work, too. It is not the light duty fertilizer shaft, as you can see. NT's tech support was of no help. And so I come to you

Here's the two shafts.
NorthStar Waltersheid PTO Generator Driveline 60 HP | PTO Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment
Braber Equipment General-Purpose PTO Shaft Assembly 40in. Collapsed Length, Model# 69.888.004 | Tractor Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

What do you think? What do others here use that have generator's and tractors in my class? Is there a definitive difference in that much of a price difference for my intended use?

 

[brin]

I ordered a PTO generator yesterday. I did not order the PTO shaft, or tumbling bar thay called it, because I figured I could find one for less than $245. Here's the generator if anyone is interested. Voltmaster PTO15/12 PTO Generator - PTO15/12 - 12 kW Tractor-Driven PTO Generator (540 RPM)

The local TSC apparently doesn't have any PTO shafts with the quick disconnect on both ends, so I went to Northern Tool's site and am looking at two shafts, one for 100 bucks and one for 270. The $270 shaft was featured on their generator's page and does say it is for a PTO generator, but I don't see why the cheaper shaft won't work. The cheaper shaft is rated to 35 hp and I've got 29 at the PTO. And the length will work, too. It is not the light duty fertilizer shaft, as you can see. NT's tech support was of no help. And so I come to you

Here's the two shafts.
NorthStar Waltersheid PTO Generator Driveline 60 HP | PTO Generators | Northern Tool + Equipment
Braber Equipment General-Purpose PTO Shaft Assembly 40in. Collapsed Length, Model# 69.888.004 | Tractor Accessories | Northern Tool + Equipment

What do you think? What do others here use that have generator's and tractors in my class? Is there a definitive difference in that much of a price difference for my intended use?

Freds....I have a NH tC - 29 ---29 HP and I use it with a 20KW PTO generator and I would not hesitate to buy the $99.00 general purpose shaft..if that helps you at all...operating a PTO generator is not even near the strain that a bush hog puts on a shaft if you think about it...

 

[Freds]

Thanks Brin. That's exactly what I told NT, that there wasn't any real strain, so why the huge difference.
I just needed to hear someone else back me up, lol.

 

[brin]

Thanks Brin. That's exactly what I told NT, that there wasn't any real strain, so why the huge difference.
I just needed to hear someone else back me up, lol.

I don't know what you are planning on connecting to your 3 PT hitch but TSC has a nice inexpensive carry all that your generator will mount on real easy...Good Luck with it..

 

[Freds]

Thanks. I already have a picture printed out of that one and a length of angle iron on the way. I figured it was a nice project to help justify a little welder I just got.

 

[brin]

Thanks. I already have a picture printed out of that one and a length of angle iron on the way. I figured it was a nice project to help justify a little welder I just got.

Great ! I know it will work out just fine. That sure looks like a nice Generator..:thumbsup:

One other tip...I just thought of ...The angle iron is no doubt for the legs for the carry all...be sure to attach the carry all to your 3 pt. on level ground and then raise it up with your generator sitting on it and the new PTO shaft attached and be sure the PTO shaft is completely level with the ground when you measure for the length of the legs you are going to weld to the carry all..You do not want much of an angel , if any, on the shaft. The shaft should be straight....

 

[leonz]

Go to Water Tech AG Supply | Agriculture Product Specialists if you need a P.T.O., shaft with no issues.

 

[Freds]

Good tip. I saw somewhere within 10 degrees. It's nice that you mentioned it in case I hadn't. No welded legs though. I figured one leg on the tractor side of the carry all to bolt on in the middle. That will prevent any drift down, which my 3PH never does, but just in case. And that will allow me to still lower my carry all to ground level for dragging heavy stuff onto it, like the generator. I'll have the generator bolted to a piece of 3/4" plywood or something. Eventually I might make something just for the generator. Something like the 3PH stand on the site I am buying it from.

Thanks on the generator. I'm hoping it's as good as people have said of the NT one, and it's cheaper and made in America.

 

[brin]

Freds,

I'm not sure I follow you...but remember that generator has to be secured ..there is a lot of torque when it starts up and if you are just mounting it on a sheet of plywood and are going to just set that on the carryall and not bot it down - well then I think you are headed for trouble and a twisted shaft and maybe even damage to your pto shaft on your tractor..

The carryall should have legs and sit on the ground with the shaft as near horizontal as possible and the generator should be bolted to the carryall.....

 

[zzvyb6]

The highest reaction torque you'll get on the generator mounting frame will occur when its running at a high current load and you disconnect it at the breaker(s). It can even flip over an alternator on a trailer.

As far as the quick disconnects go, I feel you only really need them at one end. Otherwise, it will disappear to another machine and be lost on the cold dark night you need it.

 

[SPYDERLK]

Good tip. I saw somewhere within 10 degrees. It's nice that you mentioned it in case I hadn't. No welded legs though. I figured one leg on the tractor side of the carry all to bolt on in the middle. That will prevent any drift down, which my 3PH never does, but just in case. And that will allow me to still lower my carry all to ground level for dragging heavy stuff onto it, like the generator. I'll have the generator bolted to a piece of 3/4" plywood or something. Eventually I might make something just for the generator. Something like the 3PH stand on the site I am buying it from.

Thanks on the generator. I'm hoping it's as good as people have said of the NT one, and it's cheaper and made in America.

PTO shafts that run at a fixed angle should be well off 0 degrees/straight. Straight does not get the ujoints to move enuf the keep the lube refreshed on the needle bearings. Give it several degrees ... up to 10.
larry

 

[Freds]

I was going to build the carryall to use for other stuff, too, since the generator is more for emergency use and hopefully won't be used as much as the carryall. That's why I did not want legs on the carryall to hold it at a pre-determined height. I want to be able to lower it to ground level.

I was going to bolt the generator to some 3/4" plywood that is bolted to the carryall. Are you saying that without legs the carryall could twist when I start the PTO and run it up to 540?
I realize that the lower arms are not "locked" and can be raised by simply lifting manually, but I didn't realize that running the generator would create more torque/twist than running a rotary cutter or other implement, which I've left running while lifting it up. They don't twist, but they are a lot heavier, too.
Am I understanding you correctly?

 

[SPYDERLK]

I have no trouble running mine held by the 3ph as you seem to be planning. doesnt need a leg to sit on really. I put my gen on a pressure washer cart and adapted the cart to the 3pt. Easy to wheel to the tractor. Then the tractor handles it.
larry

 

[Freds]

I didn't know that about U joints, Spyder. I wonder if that's why the shaft labeled for a generator is so much more expensive.

ZZ, a generator can flip a trailer?!

 

[brin]

I was going to build the carryall to use for other stuff, too, since the generator is more for emergency use and hopefully won't be used as much as the carryall. That's why I did not want legs on the carryall to hold it at a pre-determined height. I want to be able to lower it to ground level.

I was going to bolt the generator to some 3/4" plywood that is bolted to the carryall. Are you saying that without legs the carryall could twist when I start the PTO and run it up to 540?
I realize that the lower arms are not "locked" and can be raised by simply lifting manually, but I didn't realize that running the generator would create more torque/twist than running a rotary cutter or other implement, which I've left running while lifting it up. They don't twist, but they are a lot heavier, too.
Am I understanding you correctly?

Fred,

I have only operated my PTO generator with the legs , it came that way..but on start up there is a strong jerk or twist to it and then it smooths out once it is up and running....I have never run one without the legs and some ground contact for stability...If you look at any of the ads for these things they either come on trailers or have legs and I can see why....

I would call the company you are buying the genny from and ask them..but I would not want to try and fire mine up without support of the 4 legs or a trailer or I can see where the whole thing could flip over and turn with the PTO until something broke....I'm just saying......????

 

[Freds]

I have no trouble running mine held by the 3ph as you seem to be planning. doesnt need a leg to sit on really. I put my gen on a pressure washer cart and adapted the cart to the 3pt. Easy to wheel to the tractor. Then the tractor handles it.
larry

That's what I was hoping to do. Use the 3PH to hold it while it's mounted on the carryall. I've seen dedicated generator stands and they don't seem that substantial, but if it can flip a trailer... That's bizarre, I had no idea that even a bigger unit had that much torque.

 

[Freds]

A call to the company is definitely forthcoming ;^)

 

[SPYDERLK]

That's what I was hoping to do. Use the 3PH to hold it while it's mounted on the carryall. I've seen dedicated generator stands and they don't seem that substantial, but if it can flip a trailer... That's bizarre, I had no idea that even a bigger unit had that much torque.

If the gen is attached to a mounting that is attached to the 3pt it isnt going anywhere. It may jerk when you start, and jiggle a little while its running, but there will be no catastrophy. If it vibrates enuf that it seems to be likely to cause trouble youll be able to try different rest strategies. I think a tire carcass would be a possibility.
larry

 

[Freds]

Thanks for all the advice guys.
I just got off the phone and they said I should be fine. He said he's never heard of a generator flipping a trailer, not that it couldn't happen under just the right unfortunate circumstances, but I should be good with my original plan. And I never run my tractor up to rpms and just dump the PTO, so I should be able to see anything out of sorts as I bring it up to speed.