Anyone using a BX on a PTO generator?

RalphVa · Jan 26, 2004

One of my possible future tractor jobs might be to run a generator. Winpower makes one about the ideal size: 7kw normal and 10kw surge. Even the BX1500 (7.9kw PTO output) would run this one.

I've a 4kw electric start gasoline generator now, but I have to turn everything off when starting my well pump. Once started, I can flip everything else back on and then turn off the well pump breaker when pressure is built up, which will hold for a long time with minor water usage. With a 7-8 kw ability, I could leave the pump and everything else on.

I'm wondering about the dead man seat and the throttle on the BXs. How can you set them to run without you sitting in the seat?

Anyone used a PTO generator on them?

Ralph

art · Jan 26, 2004

They do use a hydraulic clutch on the PTO so they could deal with it just as good as a full scale compact. It seems to me that for some of the reasons to need a generator might also give you good use of a tractor with loader also. This gets a little confusing for me.

RalphVa · Jan 26, 2004

Only time I've had to use the generator was after Isabel and a couple times right after, while they were cleaning up from it.

Haven't had a power failure in the winter due to ice on the wires yet in 4 winter seasons of living here. Never did in NJ. Needed one once in La. Bought generator and never needed it then.

The nice thing about the PTO generator is you can unhook and go out and do other stuff. My wife helps with the snow removal, too. So, I could just disconnect and move snow and then come back and connect to the generator. Don't need refrigerators or freezers running that much in the winter. Small generators won't provide enough to run the heat pumps. Got fire wood for no-heat emergencies.

It's a pain having to maintain a separate engine for every chore.

Ralph

sandyc · Jan 26, 2004

Ralph:

I have a 7500watt gas gen for use here at the house. Here in Maine we seem to get a bit of ice from time to time. I have the oil furnace, refrig, well pump and some lights hooked up. The well is 220 and I do not need to shut anything else down when the pump kicks in.
If you use the tractor pto you won't be able to drop to idle if there is no need for the juice. My gas generator has an idle control so you can have the engine autmoatically go to idle if there is no need for it to run at full throttle.
There was a thread last year about the use of a pto generator and if I remember correctly the views were not favorable.
I got my gen at Home Depot for under 1000. Has electric start as well!
Good luck!

SUPERNUG · Jan 26, 2004

A PTO operated gerator sounds good. As for the BX power I have a BX22 and I don't know if they all work this way or something is amiss with mine but you can get off the seat with it running. My old 318 shut off if you did that without the brake on. I can get off my BX22 with it in gear and the mower running without the brake on and it keeps running. Convenient but dangerous. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Junkman · Jan 26, 2004

For the most part, the only safety feature on the BX-22 is the ROPS. It is a tractor made for people that are smart enough to know what they are doing and human enough to make mistakes. I have a feeling that at some time in the near future, once someone is injured, that Kubota will be doing a safety recall and outfit the BX-22 with all the safety features of the BX-23. Personally, I don't mind not having the extra safety features, but I also know that it can lead to trouble if I get careless. For this reason, I never use my tractor when I am not fully alert to possible dangers. This is when accidents happen.... when people are tired...

RonR · Jan 27, 2004

Hi Junkman,

From past threads talking about seat switch and my own BX2200 purchased last July, I can tell you that mine has the seat safety switch on it. I'm not sure when they started installing them, but mine has it.

Best wishes,
Ron

Junkman · Jan 27, 2004

I find that interesting because my BX-22 was built in August 2003 and delivered in September 2003 and it doesn't have those switches. Must be the difference in the two models.

sandyc · Jan 27, 2004

My BX 2200 built in 2002 and sold in 2003 does not have a seat safety switch. Not sure if it doesn't have one or the dealer disconnected, in any event, the pto runs with no one in the seat.