Run a PTO with a Diesel engine - PTO w Donkey Engine

[aczlan]

There are several 40-60HP diesel tractors on Craiglist in/near MA for under $5k. Here are some examples:
International 574 - $4999 (Belchertown, MA) - International 574 diesel tractor
Massey Ferguson Model 65 - $4500 (Western mass) - Massey ferguson
International 3414 w/Loader - $4500 (Portland,Ct) - International 3414 Loader

Aaron Z

 

[Sysop]

Sysop, I understand that in the farm community, or even anyone, we usually value our time extremely low in an effort to make gains, sweat equity I call it. However, unless the donkey engine(s), transmissions, reduction gearing, etc, etc, are sitting in the back shed waiting to brought to light there is a cost. Hey, I wish the guy luck on his endeavour and look forward to seeing the creation too. I just wanted to suggest that before the blinders get too restricted, consider the option that at first seems less favourable. For all I know, one day he may find himself stuck with his one tractor and wouldn't a second tractor look good then.

I fully agree, but I try not to discount my time too cheaply. I was recently in a similar quandary about equipment to fulfill a need I had; I could get something to get me by for about a grand, but with that I saw the potential of working to make it work more than actually doing the work to fulfill the need when for 3 times as much money I could have something made to do the job, rated to do the job safely (no guessing or fudge-factors as there can be with something that you can "get by with"), brand new with a warranty, and had more uses than just my immediate need. After a good bit of consideration, my time was more valuable than the aggravation of trying to get by with something not quite suited to the task.

I know many times locally you can find good old iron that runs but the front axle or tires have given out and nobody took time to repair. Recently seen an old Massey on rotted rims for sale cheap. Not sure if you have the ability to travel and pickup a good find.

 

[Renze]

It should be mentioned with a tractor that isn't moving it's own weight will be able to supply the full amount of PTO power to the PTO shaft, and many horsepower requirements provided by large implement manufacturers are simply to ensure you have a large enough tractor to handle their machine safely (many don't require the horsepower as much as they do the average size & weight of a given horsepower class).

You bet it takes 60 PTO HP to tear apart lumps of silage.

And actually, i agree it probably pays better to buy a 60hp tractor to permanently attach to the feeder (including controls) than to put the feeder off near the silage pit, fill it, then connect the controls again and drive to the barn. Dont know what barn you have, but if its with a central feeding alley, i wouldnt want the front loader on it when manoevering in and out of the alley as you'd allways have to watch implements on both front and back...

 

[bcp]

...does that mean I could use a 15hp engine then gear it down and it would be 60hp at the pto?

A 15hp engine can be geared to make the same torque as a 60hp, but it will do it at about 1/4 the speed.

If you need 60hp at 540 rpms, no gearing will get you there with a 15hp engine.

Bruce

 

[Andrew Brousseau]

Ok, so i think it will be best just to get an older tractor. I t may not be worth spending less money and lots of hours and headache building something that will have less functionality (aka the mounted engine can't move the mixer). I'm in MA by the way, so am looking for any tractor like this from Maine to CT.

For older tractors, is a 60hp gasoline going to work as well as a 60hp diesel?
...when starting the mixer fully loaded (which I don't plan to do, but it may happen)
...when dumping material into the mixer that can put an extra instentatious load on the augers.


On the other hand I am still interested on how one would design this. If you had the 80hp Mercedes engine with an approximate 4-1 gearing, what would you put in to prevent the engine from bogging under the high load situations? centrifugal clutch? belt tensioner? fly wheel?
and where would you put that, after the gearing?

 

[buickanddeere]

You are not saving anything and the power unit is a dead head that needs to be pushed or pulled around. You can not re-invent the wheel for less money than purchasing a running 2WD tractor with a pto and drawbar.

 

[Soundguy]

no way i'd feed a 60hp gasser.. go diesel!!

anyting over 45hp gas and it starts getting hungry to feed.. 45 is bad enough....

Ok, so i think it will be best just to get an older tractor. I t may not be worth spending less money and lots of hours and headache building something that will have less functionality (aka the mounted engine can't move the mixer). I'm in MA by the way, so am looking for any tractor like this from Maine to CT.

For older tractors, is a 60hp gasoline going to work as well as a 60hp diesel?
...when starting the mixer fully loaded (which I don't plan to do, but it may happen)
...when dumping material into the mixer that can put an extra instentatious load on the augers.


On the other hand I am still interested on how one would design this. If you had the 80hp Mercedes engine with an approximate 4-1 gearing, what would you put in to prevent the engine from bogging under the high load situations? centrifugal clutch? belt tensioner? fly wheel?
and where would you put that, after the gearing?

 

[buickanddeere]

A 45HP gasser working at near max won't cost any more than a 90HP diesel loafing at less than 1/2 load

 

[Raw Dodge]

I agree that an old 2 wd tractor is probably your best bet,than you also have another tractor around,you never know when you may need it,a stationary engine will just be in your way and you'll need to drag it around or build a trailer for it,your time,and money wouldn't pay off unless someone gave you most of the materials or you had an ideal engine laying around.

 

[Andrew Brousseau]

I agree that an old 2 wd tractor is probably your best bet,than you also have another tractor around,you never know when you may need it,a stationary engine will just be in your way and you'll need to drag it around or build a trailer for it,your time,and money wouldn't pay off unless someone gave you most of the materials or you had an ideal engine laying around.

Well we do have a Dodge truck Slant 6, 150hp engine lying around.