HP required for elevators

Hey Guys, I have 2 elevators I use exclusively for small square bales. One is a 40 foot Kewanee and one is a 20 foot Mayraith tube type. The longer one is PTO powered and the smaller one has a 3/4 HP electric motor. I am wanting to convert both to gas engines to free up a tractor and get away from having to string out a cord. I realize it depends on gearing, but what would be a guide line for HP required to run them ? Neither is run very steep or has to be very fast. I have various small engines around here. Thanks !
 
I don't see why you would need any more than a couple horse motor. It will make them even more awkward to move around they already are though.
 
I used to barn hay with an elevator, I always liked using the electric motor when we could as it was less noise and no exhaust in your face
 
fire hazard!!!!been there done that i would stay electric or tractor. another reason they will run when you want even if been setting
 
I dont think the moving around will be an issue,the longer one never moves and the small one has wheels so easy to handle. The noise and smell wont bother me,no more than a tractor running anyway. Would the fire hazard really be greater than an electric motor or tractor? Niether is used inside the barns.
 
Super H We had a 32' Case single chain elevator that came with a 9Hp Brigs motor. It was a factory option. we hauled that thing all over the county putting bales in barns, stacks, etc. Cant remember ever having a problem starting the motor. We loved it. It had a factory bale chute on the front end of the elevator. We used to have to put it in some pretty tall barns. Have actually had bales come tumbling back down the elevator and land on top the motor. never had a fire.
 
We used a 10 HP JD 112 garden tractor with a PTO attachment to power a 42 foot Viking elevator. It worked well for bales, shell corn and ear corn. The PTO unit was belt driven with a high ratio pulley reduction (3600RPM / 540 RPM = 6.67 reduction).

Small engines that only run a few hours per year can have a lot of problems when you need them. Be sure to run them out of fuel at the end of the season. You might have fewer problems finding another H or super H to power the larger elevator. $100 for a dedicated electric cord would be less trouble than mounting a small engine on the smaller elevator. Worst case a 3500 watt generator should easily power the 3/4 HP motor on the smaller elevator.
 
Was wondering about that, wouldn't want a gas engine that close to a hay elevator either. Never really saw a gas engine on a jay elevator, might be a reason.

Paul
 
I remember my Grandfather had and orange and green colored elevator when I was a little kid that had a motor on it, I bet it was a Case also. I was too small to help much , but I remember him using it a lot for hay and straw.
 
Had gas engine on the 28" McCurdy for years, 3 HP, got disgusted with engine problems and when to electric after we got power avaible at the other place to fill corn cribs. 32' pipe frame elevator for bales 1/2hp electric and you could not have put a gas engine on even if you wanted. So much easier to control just by flipping a switch on electric rather than having to mess with a clutch on a gas. But for everything it seemed to work out to 3 times power needed in gas over electric rating. And gas will be running at 3,600RPM, electric at 1,750RPM. I would have electric on both if power was avaible.
 
Your gas engine will weight much more than that 1/2 horse electric motor. Not going to be fun for moving around if you can't leave it in place. Dads uncle had an old combine engine for elevator work. One time it would start the next it wouldn't sucked. I'd stay with the electric and PTO and fine another tractor if you're short of them.
 
Not sure what the fear of sparks is unless you are putting the engine in the hay loft. I've seen a 10 horse garden tractor run an 8" auger with a PTO. I'd think a 2-5 horse Briggs geared real slow would work. Just remember, most small gas runs at 3,600 rpm. Bet that electric is running 1750.
AaronSEIA
 
My Amish farmers use hyd. power. One 5hp. engine runs pump and they connect with hoses. Run 2 or 3 elevators on one power unit and it sets outside.
 

Be careful with extension cords around hay elevators. Fire Hazard! cords get nicked/cut, ends get loose and heat up, plugs can arc.
 

Never had any problems with sparks and to move the elevator, one of the kids got to run up to the end and RIDE..!!!

Balanced it real well and the kids loved it..
 

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