What would you do?! Tractor trade and a generator question

[sweetjeep]

Thanks GBO: I really am leaning toward what you are suggesting.

Propane is a possibility, but not likely. Natural gas is an absolute no-go. Same with gasoline.

Diesel and propane are my only 2 real choices and that comes from long term fuel storage. I keep upwards of 500 gallons of fuel on hand at any given point and while propane will store for indefinitely it's a little bulky for something that only goes in my grill and a generator that I might use once a year.

Anyway.. thanks!

 

[kuboman]

If you don't mind yet another engine to maintain then get a genset. I use a pto gen and have no complaints. It will not hurt the tractor to run for days even. I think it depends on how often your power goes out. Ours maybe will go out twice a year and some years not once so it makes little sense to have a genset. If it was out frequently then I am sure I would have one.:thumbsup:

 

[Soundguy]

yeah.. if I lost power.. like weekly, or monthly, but indeterminately and time variable..... I'd have an in place genset.

just for emergencies though.. pto is fine for me.

soundguy

 

[sweetjeep]

I'm looking at power outages spaced apart by years! Not months. Granted the last outage was 4 days long. So that's really my rationale.

 

[Soundguy]

wow.. years.. that's a long time to ask a lawn mower engine to essentially set unused. even if you do crank it every year.. it really would want to be exercised monthly to stay healthy.. that is, if you get a portable.. that's why i shy away from them.. wouldn't use it, and eventually it would be a hassle to drag it out and exercise it.. and I'd forget, then one day when i needed it.. it wouldn't run.

at least with a full time standby, they usually self test and startup.. or with a pto genset.. the engine ( tractor ) is already getting used.. etc.

good luck on whatever you get.

soundguy

 

[dmay]

For your 4720 tractor trade-down we really need more information as to what you want your next tractor to do before we can recommend an appropriate size.

For your generator question, I personally dont like the idea of running a tractor PTO generator. It means your tractor is unavailable to be used as a tractor whenever you want to power your home. I can envision power going out in a storm and you want to use your tractor to clear up after the storm but cant because it is needed to power your home.

Look into a portable generator connected via a Generlink. An 8000 watt gas generator is a good choice for most homes and costs under $1500.

 

[brin]

This PTO Generator thing should be a Sticky...don't ya'll think...I mean it comes up in the fall and the spring and there are so many posts in at least one thread going over the subject and transfer switches ...all of it..

I am like Soundguy...I use a 20Kw PTO genny with a 40Kw surge and it works fine...we have not had a power outage longer than an hour in over 2 yrs. so that is all I need and I don't worry about tying my tractor up since even in a long extended power outage I would not run it 24/7 ..only long enough to flush toilets, take showers , heat or cool the house etc. then turn it off for awhile...why waste fuel...When you need a genny you need it...so with Diesel and your tractor you are good to go as opposed to trying to get a propane delivery with ice and snow on the road or get a gas engine genny started that has been sitting...Good luck on whatever you decide..

 

[PioneerMan]

As I'm sure you know, a pto genny makes what, 50% of pto hp in kw? So if you downgrade tractors you would be limited to something like 10kw, depending on model. That may be enough for you though.

 

[Soundguy]

that's a good rule of thumb for realistic load.. 2hp per kw generated. thus you can base your load on need and hp available.. as long as load is not above hp available or generator head specs.. you are good.

usually minimum load can be adjusted to fit, in an emergency situation.. etc. even if you downgrade to running 1 thing at a time on a smaller tractor.. etc.

soundguy

 

[JD3520Turbo]

if you are looking at power outages in terms of once every several years, then I would not buy one with an engine on it. I would definately go with a pto. The expense of buying a gen with a cummins engine doesn't pencil out at all for that.
The other thing is that you know your tractor is going to start and run. Not always sure what a gen engine will do after setting for a year.
The other thing is that you won't be idleing the engine to run a gen. You will have to rev it up to spin 540 rpm to get the gen to run at its proper speed and output.

Tractor engines are designed to run wide open for thousands of hours, so it won't hurt them at all.