Building a PTO generator

[KubotaL2500]

Hi,

I'm starting to build a three point pto generator.
I am using a 12 KW 1800 rpm Gen head and diving it with a 540 rpm PTO. Where can I get parts like...

4:1 (approx ratio) serpantine belt pulleys.
1 3/8" 6 spline shaft that the pto shaft will drive.
1 3/8" pillow block bearings for the shaft above.

Pointers from anyone who has done this!

Thanks for any replies!
Bob

 

[Deerlope]

You can get the bearings thru Northern Tool or any electric motor rebuild shop. But wouldn't it be better to direct drive your gen. Belts are known to slip. You can probably get the spline from Northern Tool also.

 

[Dozernut]

Tractor Supply Company will have the splines. If you have one locally you won't have to have it shipped.

 

[Rch]

Machine builders
Get off the grid
Hardy PTO generators
Friesen

Some links for PTO generators and set-up supplies

 

[htiek126]

For a gen head, such as the 10KW in the Northern catalog, is there any cycle rate control other than the PTO speed? Is it just a direct feed off an alternator with breakers, or are there some electronics before the output? If it is direct, how do you control the cycle rate when the tractor is under load and no load conditions?

 

[Rch]

Keith, keeping generator current within specs is out of my league. On my set-up the computer room is bypassed when the generator is supplying the current for that reason. Also, the computer room is wired such that when the grid is re-established those circuits come back on indicating to me I can go in the basement and flip the gen/grid box back to the grid and go out to the barn where the generator is and shut it down. Alternatively, if one is visible, yours or a neighbors yard light can signal when the grid is back.

My system is hard-wired in but I do have to wheel out a portable Winco 16 hp propane fueled (tri fuel) generator, hook it up, start it (a battery is maintained on it ) and flip a switch on the generator and the before mentioned switch in the basement. We have to avoid using too many lights and heavy draw circuits like the dryer etc.

All this my wife and kids can handle, the tractor is available and, per se, didn't need to be started and manuevered and hooked-up, I got a 1000 gal propane tank and propane avoids gasoline storage problems. The disadvantage was a 140' trench between the house and barn, a transfer switch 30" square on the basement wall that was $450 and the cost of an electrician for some critical hookups. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

There are alot of good used tractor gen-sets out there because the aren't really used that much, just to tide a farm over. For me, something my wife can handle, a big continous and easily stored fuel supply and the availability of the tractor are critical factors.

 

[Slamfire]

You would have to rely on the tractor's governor, which may not be sensitive or fast enough to maintain the 60 cycles you are used to. There are plenty of things like lighting that don't really care. But some motors might be sensitive enough to cause a problem, and electronics would be a no-no.

 

[Soundguy]

A local parts store.. like a farm stroe will have your pto shaft/yoke.

As for bearings, you might try a carrier bearing setup.. Bearings and belts can usually be ordered from a bearing dealer.. our local one does both anyway.. etc.. chains too.

You may not fid a gear box you need... could use a sprocket and chain drive.. just have to match the drive and run sprockets to deliver the gensets needed rppm, in the power band of your machine ( pto speed.. etc )

good luck

Soundguy

 

[tc35dforme]

click here to see how this guy did it! ebay pto generator

 

[KubotaL2500]

Hi All!

Thanks for the great replies. I'll post some pics after I get this thing up and running!
Bob

 

[Soundguy]

I see someone beat me to the punch on the chain drive / sprockets / carrier bearing idea...

Soundguy

 

[missourihick]

goto
http://surpluscenter.com they have surplus gen heads and all types of bearings,pto shafts and belt pulleys.
Also the exact rpm wont matter to much,most 60 cycle appliances work perfectly well on anywhere from50 to 70 cycle power.

 

[moeh1]

I am thinking of a different route here. I have a flail mower that I re-built recently and it gave me the idea. The gearbox ( big) has a PTO shaft input, 4:1 reduction and a right angle drive output shaft with basically no side load on it that I think I could just Lovejoy couple to a generator. Also, the right angle positioning might allow me to see the meter on the side of the generator.
Unfortunately, I thought of all this after I did a nice job re-building the mower so I am looking for another gearbox /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
This is a little different home built approach, but it seems more like what the pro units have, anybody's thoughts are welcome.

 

[moeh1]

Read my post, want to be technically correct - the gearbox has a 1:4 ratio, so it is technically not a reduction /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Bottom line is it would be a decent match for an 1800 rpm generator head without running the tractor hard.