PTO generator selection help

[workinonit]

I haven't looked into how the voltage regulator works on these. Can't imagine it being a big help but it might.

 

[RjCorazza]

I have a 15kw Winco, and am happy with it. I set it on a trailer so I can wheel it around and store it easily in a small shed.
I agonized over the issue of needing the tractor during an outage, and finally decided I can just disconnect as necessary.
I absolutely hated maintaining a gasoline supply for my previous 7kw open frame Generac. The Generac was a great generator, but much louder than my tractor and PTO generator.

Mine is connected to the house through a 60a breaker and main interlock. The house connection link posted is not designed for generator supply.

 

[tradosaurus]

Running clothes washer and refrigerator and possibly stove that have electronics would it be better to get a generator with AVR?

Also the IMD generator is the only one of the three that has readout to include Hz and amps.

 

[workinonit]

That depends on how good your tractor governor responds to load changes. Mine is really good so I don't need the voltage regulator. I'm assuming that regulator is only for overvoltage and over freq control. It's an interesting feature but I honestly don't think you need it.

 

[tradosaurus]

I would also buy a PTO Generator Tumbling Bar but some of the reviews from the IMD generator link are saying they had to cut the tumbling bar which I don't understand.

The particular tumbling bar is adjustable from 33"-52".
IMD P10013 - PTO Generator Tumbling Bar (10-26 kW - 540 RPM) | IMD P10013

I just want buy the stuff I need and install it without modifications.

 

[tradosaurus]

Parts list:

1) PTO generator
2) PTO generator tumbling bar
3) 1090 Lb. Capacity 40-1/2 In X 48 In Utility Trailer (1 lb. Capacity 4-1/2 in x 48 in Utility Trailer)
4) 1000 Lb. Swing-Back Bolt-On Trailer Jack (1 lb. Swing-Back Bolt-On Trailer Jack)
5) 50 Amp 125/250 Volt Power outlet box (RVGUARD 5 Amp 125/25 Volt RV/EV Power Outlet Box, Enclosed Lockable Weatherproof Outdoor Electrical NEMA 14-5R Receptacle Panel, ETL Listed - - Amazon.com)
6) 25Ft 50Amp Generator Extension Cord 6 Gauge (Amazon.com: Mophorn 25Ft 5Amp Generator Extension Cord 6 Gauge STW 6/3+8/1 Generator Cord UL Listed Generator Power Cord N14-5P to Bare Wire Cut Wire Cord Extension Power Cord RV Motor Home Generator Portable: Garden & Outdoor)

 

[LouNY]

An AVR will attempt to correct the voltage to be the correct 120/240 when the load varies and the tractors governor hasn't corrected.
Depending on who has built it from what I recall it will correct the voltage from around 56 Hz to 62 Hz, I don't know why those numbers stick
in my mind it would seem to me that it should be able to trim on both sides the same amount which would be 56 Hz to 64 Hz.

As far as the length of the pto shaft any shaft bought should be fitted to the tractor and application;
in this it would depend on the method of mounting the generator.
If the generator is pad mounted and you back up to to connect to it, it could be everwhere from very short to fully extended.
A trailer mounted unit will depend on the trailer design and tongue length.
A 3 point has to be connected to the tractor or be carefully backed to for the pto to be the proper length.

I prefer a trailer mount for several reasons;
I can tow the generator with most anything, atv/utv, truck, car, or tractor to were I want too.
Any tractor can be easily connected to it with no concern of 3 point sizing or category.
It is much simpler to connect to when it is needed, just back up to it and connect the pto.
Often I do not even bother putting the hitch pin in the drawbar when using mine,
I leave it parked in a convenient location with the tongue jack down and the tires securely chocked.

The reason you are not getting many comments on your announced method of connecting for powering the house
is that it is not a proper or desirable or safe method of doing so.

 

[angustrees]

This method looks to be a lot less expensive and troublesome than a typical Double Throw switch. Generator Interlock Kit General Electric GE / OEM 15 and 2 Amp Panels | GenInterlock This is just one example for a particular entrance panel.

 

[Ortimber]

They aren't cheap, but I have an 1800RPM Baumalight QC12 w/ a built in AVR. This is a very robust generator, and when running it in E-PTO behind my Deere 4052R, it's very quiet and fuel efficient.
When using as a home backup unit, I plug it into an outside 50A receptacle which goes to a manual transfer switch located inside my house.

 

[LouNY]

I wasn't going to write this but here goes;

At a minimum you should install an interlock device on your main power panel;
Generator Interlock Kits Archives | GenInterlock

This is an inexpensive alternative to a whole house transfer switch which is a neater and cleaner way to do it.

Your material list sounds good, just the location and the method of having to manual turn breakers off to isolate power with no interlock

 

[tradosaurus]

They aren't cheap, but I have an 1800RPM Baumalight QC12 w/ a built in AVR. This is a very robust generator, and when running it in E-PTO behind my Deere 4052R, it's very quiet and fuel efficient.
When using as a home backup unit, I plug it into an outside 50A receptacle which goes to a manual transfer switch located inside my house.

View attachment 682599

Very nice. Another question is the receptacle on the PTO generator I'm looking at is 60amp.

Can I get by with a 50 amp plug/wire and receptacle on the other end?

 

[tradosaurus]

An AVR will attempt to correct the voltage to be the correct 120/240 when the load varies and the tractors governor hasn't corrected.
Depending on who has built it from what I recall it will correct the voltage from around 56 Hz to 62 Hz, I don't know why those numbers stick
in my mind it would seem to me that it should be able to trim on both sides the same amount which would be 56 Hz to 64 Hz.

As far as the length of the pto shaft any shaft bought should be fitted to the tractor and application;
in this it would depend on the method of mounting the generator.
If the generator is pad mounted and you back up to to connect to it, it could be everwhere from very short to fully extended.
A trailer mounted unit will depend on the trailer design and tongue length.
A 3 point has to be connected to the tractor or be carefully backed to for the pto to be the proper length.

I prefer a trailer mount for several reasons;
I can tow the generator with most anything, atv/utv, truck, car, or tractor to were I want too.
Any tractor can be easily connected to it with no concern of 3 point sizing or category.
It is much simpler to connect to when it is needed, just back up to it and connect the pto.
Often I do not even bother putting the hitch pin in the drawbar when using mine,
I leave it parked in a convenient location with the tongue jack down and the tires securely chocked.

The reason you are not getting many comments on your announced method of connecting for powering the house
is that it is not a proper or desirable or safe method of doing so.

Thanks for the helpful tips.

I'm still confused why you would ever need to cut the PTO connector shaft.

My rotary cutter that is 3 pt mounted has an adjustable PTO connector shaft and works just fine.

 

[CobyRupert]

I’ll add 2 more cents:
If your trying to get every drop of juice out of your generator, and run as many loads as possible, turn on your big motor loads first, then smaller resistive (lighting, heater, etc..) loads.
Motor loads have a brief starting current than can be 6-13 times their normal running load. This brief starting current may push the demand on your genny over the threshold and trip it out if starting current is being added to other loads that are already running.
The problem using load sequencing to maximize the number of load items is if the motor load cycles on/off (like furnaces, well pumps, refrigerators, a/c). You’d have to repeat the sequencing every time.

 

[CobyRupert]

Thanks for the helpful tips.

I'm still confused why you would ever need to cut the PTO connector shaft.

My rotary cutter that is 3 pt mounted has an adjustable PTO connector shaft and works just fine.

You may need to cut (shorten) the PTO shaft when hooking equipment to different tractors or hitches (e.g. if a quick hitch is add). That is, you never want to be in a situation where the shaft cannot retract enough when the equipment is raised or lowered (or the tractor & cart goes through a ditch, etc..). All the weight of the equipment (and possibly tractor) will be supported by the PTO shaft. This may break the PTO casing on the tractor.

 

[tradosaurus]

You may need to cut (shorten) the PTO shaft when hooking equipment to different tractors or hitches (e.g. if a quick hitch is add). That is, you never want to be in a situation where the shaft cannot retract enough when the equipment is raised or lowered (or the tractor & cart goes through a ditch, etc..). All the weight of the equipment (and possibly tractor) will be supported by the PTO shaft. This may break the PTO casing on the tractor.

Isn't that why there are adjustable PTO shafts?

I suppose when I bought my tractor and implements new from Kubota dealership that they might cut the adjustable PTO shaft to fit to the rotary cutter.

 

[m7040]

are the pto generators able to operate during a rainfall or snow without cover from the weather

 

[CobyRupert]

Isn't that why there are adjustable PTO shafts?

I suppose when I bought my tractor and implements new from Kubota dealership that they might cut the adjustable PTO shaft to fit to the rotary cutter.

Yes. ...but they can only adjust so much. The shorter they are, the less movement range they’ll have. It’s just two telescoping tubes.
Too short and you will pull them apart, too long and you will “bottom them out”, possibly damaging tractor housing.
Typically, they are in their shortest position when connected to the tractor and the equipment is at a height that makes the shaft perfectly horizontal. The equipment raising or lowering from this horizontal position typically requires the shaft to extend.
If the shaft can be connected/disconnected to the tractor when horizontal (or otherwise the shortest position it can experience), it’s typically an indication the shaft is short enough not to damage tractor. Then check (with PTO off) that it won’t pull apart at other ranges of motion.

 

[CobyRupert]

Very nice. Another question is the receptacle on the PTO generator I'm looking at is 60amp.

Can I get by with a 50 amp plug/wire and receptacle on the other end?

Can you....or “should” you?
Generally, 50 amp plugs and wires “should” be protected by a 50 amp breaker.
Practically, if you don’t draw more than 50 amps load you’ll “get by”...
Does the generator have a 60amp main breaker?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

are the pto generators able to operate during a rainfall or snow without cover from the weather

Yes they can....

And, here's another vote for Winco, also because I have one and it works perfectly...

SR

 

[tradosaurus]

Can you....or “should” you?
Generally, 50 amp plugs and wires “should” be protected by a 50 amp breaker.
Practically, if you don’t draw more than 50 amps load you’ll “get by”...
Does the generator have a 60amp main breaker?

The IMP and Winco PTO generators have a 14-60R receptacle which surprised me as the Harbor Freight generator has a 50 amp receptacle.

Wouldn't the 50 amp double pole breaker at the main panel in the house protect everything?