Generator PTO generator

Gary_in_Indiana · Aug 16, 2003

"Now just have to find a good price on one..."

"I'll be getting one right away NOW." 

Somehow I don't think those statements are going to work together. I'd think the power outtage just might have increased demand just a bit. What makes you think there will be "a good price on one... NOW"?

I might think there will be little reason for sellers to be discounting them this week. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

F350Lawman · Aug 16, 2003

From what I have been seeing some online dealers are looking to capatilize by selling volume and not raising prices. They are having "Blackout" specials.

Prices might have been high during the initial rush but this isn't like Y2K where they can capitalize once the lights return.

Local store here is getting delivery on Wednesday at pre-blackout prices

bgott · Aug 17, 2003

Wait a week or two. I bet a lot of them end up for sale used at a pretty good discount. I bet Home Depot and Lowe's will have a ton of returns to get rid of.

Slamfire · Aug 17, 2003

The first winter we were here an ice storm knocked out all the power to our mountain. Even with volunteers helping to clear the right of way, it still took nine days to get power back at our house. I had an 8kW Generac, and it saved our bacon, and every thing else in the freezer. Getting gas got a little difficult after the 4th day. That Generac is a pull start but the governor keeps it at speed no matter what the load, is that what you meant about idling down. As for the pto generators most of them are meant to run at 1800 rpm, so you'd have to gear up the pto to keep the frequency somewhere close to right. And most tractors don't have the sensitivity of governor that requires.

Will_C · Aug 17, 2003

I have found that the PTO generators go down to about 12kw. At the recommended rate of 2hp per kw, that would require about 24 pto hp, more than many of our tractors have. I know my BX 2200 has around 16-17 pto hp, and I think that you would have a B7800 or B2910 in the Kubota line to get max power from the generator.
Will

F350Lawman · Aug 17, 2003

John Deere has a 10K PTO generator that works on the X series of Lawn tractors. It is on their site under X series attachments. looks nice and compact should work on almost any of our tractors beacause the X series is only a 21 hp gasser which can't be making much PTO HP.

They 12K units will work on say a 20 PTO Hp, tractor they will just make less KW. The manufacturers often include minimum PTO Hp statements that say they will work but at lower outputs.

NTools has a 12k head for $999. That is without PTO shaft or a base but you clould always use a shaft from another implement and mount it on a pallet, move it with the FEL and just drive the tractor up to it if you want to save some $$$
$999 is the cheapest way to make 12k watts when you compare it to $2500+ generators and $3000 standby sytems.

CountryBoy · Aug 17, 2003

With a PTO driven generator,my biggest fear would be a hose or belt failing when I was not around and ruining the engine on the tractor.

CJDave · Aug 17, 2003

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif You have a list of really good commentary and advice to your post. I'll add even more to it so you'll be REALLY confused reading through this thread. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif I'm a recent refugee from the whacked-out energy strapped west coast, and believe me when I tell you that between Y2K and the general power outages, folks in CA really went blitzo on the generator thing. I have installed quite a few setups for residences and for businesses, and I run annual tests on some really big units that my health care customers and places like the phone company have. IF IT WERE ME.....I would go with an 1800 RPM unit for sure...no question there, 3600 RPM is out of the question; too noisy and too much wear and tear. AND...I would go with LP gas not gasoline or diesel. LP gas will STORE well and not go to varnish or jelly over time. A guy told me about a place here in the Midwest that wrecks out Motor Homes, and has the Onan and Kohler units at good prices. A propane conversion kit will get them set up perfectly. The idle down thing is OK for skilsaws and such, but it is a nusiance on regular domestic standby service, so don't fret if you cannot find that feature. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif If you go with 1800 RPM; like you should do to begin with; you won't NEED idle down. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

John_Mc · Aug 17, 2003

( I believe that all of the Generac brand models that are rated for 7500 continuous watts or higher have this idle down feature.)

Actually, it's more of a model specific thing than KW related with Generac. I have a 4000 watt Generac (6600 surge, if memory serves). It has the idle down feature. I was looking at the 5500 wheel horse, but went with the 4000 watt unit mainly to get this feature & the electric start (so my wife could get it going easily when I'm not around). Cost was about the same as the Wheel Horse.

Idle down is almost worthless when you are hooking up to a house. There are all sorts of "phantom loads" which will keep it running full bore (for example, the transformer that powers your cordless phone, your TV, the clock on your microwave, etc. Unless you go around and disconnect all of these loads, the Generator stays at high speed all of the time.) For powering electric tools or other intermittant loads, it's a great feature.

John Mc

sewells · Aug 17, 2003

Speaking of generators, what is required to hook one up to one's house? Doesn't there have to be something that keeps it from feeding back into the power grid? OTherwise, wouldn't the linemen be in danger when they are working on the lines. I run my computer business out of my home and I have backup battery power for all my critical computers but it sure would be nice to be able to run a PTO generator to keep my house going. I have a little stand alone 6Kw unit I can hook my computers up to if needed but it would be nice to be able to handle the whole house.

Steve Wells