Running a 1800RPM Generator off of Boomer 2000 RPM mid PTO ?

zzvyb6 · Oct 31, 2019

I've run my Winpower 540 pto genny off of my lawnmower's 2000 rpm pto with a gear reducer just fine. With 'direct connect' and the right prop shaft (2 Cardans or a CV joint in there.) it will do just fine. I used a Kill-A-Watt for frequency. Rotation direction didn't matter. Try it, you'll like it ! Hopefully it fits under the tractor so it can tag along to where it's needed.

Dave1953 · Oct 31, 2019

CobyRupert said:
Most electronics aren't sensitive to input voltage or frequency. Most rectify the AC to DC at their input, so it doesn't care too much what the AC in is. Check the nameplate, you'll likely find a tag that says its good for any voltage/frequency between 100V-240V and 50 or 60 hz.

Did you mean look at the name plate and it would probably say it will run on 100 to 120 volts, not 240 volts ? I have several 240V recep. in the computer room to run Ham radio equipt. and one of them is a 30 amp 120v type with one side having a + plug on it but with 240 volts going to it and years ago my kids have plugged radios into it and it fried them. I have it covered over now so the same mistake can't be made.

Dave1953 · Oct 31, 2019

Where did you ever get a gearbox heavy enough ? I have a couple large Cub Cadet garden tractors up to 25 HP with 2000 rpm pto and I have never found a gearbox that would work that was ever rated for more than a couple HP. I sure would like to find one.

zzvyb6 · Oct 31, 2019

Dave1953 said:
Where did you ever get a gearbox heavy enough ? I have a couple large Cub Cadet garden tractors up to 25 HP with 2000 rpm pto and I have never found a gearbox that would work that was ever rated for more than a couple HP. I sure would like to find one.

Got it via ebay smooth shaft input, 540 6 spline output, although they stated thast you could run it both ways [input or output].

CalG · Oct 31, 2019

Nice clean set up you have put together!

Too bad you need to first slow the input down, only to again speed it up at the Winco.
But, It all makes sense and looks like it works a treat! I've seen those reducers/speeders as well. Never bought one though.

Dave1953 · Nov 1, 2019

That bis one slick setup. Do you have any info off the gearbox like brand, model # etc. and also what the input/output ratio is? I sure would like to get my hands on one of them.

zzvyb6 · Nov 1, 2019

Dave1953 said:
That bis one slick setup. Do you have any info off the gearbox like brand, model # etc. and also what the input/output ratio is? I sure would like to get my hands on one of them.

It looks like a Hub City model. This one had the 6 spline 540 shaft end on it already. I'd estimate it is good for 65 hp or more. Its a heavy unit. However in your case, you only need a 1:1 connection,eh ? 2000 --> 1800 is close enough. Just throttle down until you get 60 Hz.

Seems like some sort of flex coupling with the right bracket could be fabricated to mount your genny and shaft drive it.

Dave1953 · Nov 2, 2019

I meant I would like to have one around just to tinker with. I have enjoyed building, expm., etc with generators for 35 years. I am familiar with the Hub City units and they tend to be very expensive. They made one to go on the IH Cub Cadet 154, 184, 185 series tractors to convert their high speed pto to 540 but they are scareace as hens teeth and I have seen them go for close to 1K. They did make some good gearboxes.

zzvyb6 · Nov 2, 2019

Dave1953 said:
I meant I would like to have one around just to tinker with. I have enjoyed building, expm., etc with generators for 35 years. I am familiar with the Hub City units and they tend to be very expensive. They made one to go on the IH Cub Cadet 154, 184, 185 series tractors to convert their high speed pto to 540 but they are scareace as hens teeth and I have seen them go for close to 1K. They did make some good gearboxes.

I found a used 3.5:1 reducer from a JD snowblower in a junk yard that would drop the rpm down for you. I have it on my F-935. It serves as a direction reverser, too.

Dave1953 · Nov 2, 2019

I just looked thru hundreds of Hub City gearboxes on Ebay and I didn't see even 1 like yours. Seems like those on the Lo-boys were 3:54 to 1. They also made one to go on a Farmall Cub tractor to convert it to 540 RPM but again those are few and far between and very expensive if you ever run across one.