Tractor pto generator for home use

chas036

Member
I have been going to auctions lately, and I have noticed that the barn backup generators that run off a tractor pto go for relatively cheap like $300 to $500. Since I need a backup generator to run my house in case of power outages, I was thinking that rather then investing $1200 to $1500 for good quality gasoline powered generator, maybe buying a pto generator would be a good alternative.

The gasoline generators get about 6 to 8 hours of running time based on load on 5 gallons of gasoline. If I buy a pto generator, I have a JD 720 diesel that I could use to to power it.

My question here is, do you think I would get more then 6 to 8 hours of running time with the my JD 720 powering a generator, then with the gasoline powered generator? Also since I have an oil furnace, I have 600 gallons of kerocene/fuel oil blend I could run in my tractor, so I would not need to worry about going to a gas station all the time.

Would that two cylinder diesel engine in my tractor be capable of running a generator and hold up under continuous running for 8 to 12 hours straight without a break?
 
I have a PTO generator for my house. It's a 15KW. I believe it is recommended 2.5 PTO hp per KW. I believe your 720 is 59 PTO hp. I use my Ford 5000 diesel to run mine. If I recall it used around 1.5 gallons per hour. Last time I used it was about 6 weeks ago and it ran straight for 25 hours. As far as your tractor running for an extended amount of time continuously totally depends on the condition of the tractor. Please make sure you have everything hooked up to electric code. I had my breaker box wired correctly for it and to code.
 
IMHO , I would not put the hours on the tractor , generators are cheap , new or used , it will cost alot more to rebuild your tractor , then to throw a generator away and get a new one
 
The pto units would be a good way to go since you have the tractor. One usually does not need one very often. One less engine to keep maintained with a pto unit. You do not have to run them for 24 hours straight either. I just run mine while I am home and needing to use a lot of power. At night time I shut it off and give it a break as not much is needed at night time. Freezers and fridge will hold cold for several hours if left alone and not opening the door up.
 
I am in the process of installing a MTF (Manual Transfer Switch) next to my panel that I will use connect to my generator to my house circuits. I plan on connecting the MTF to my generator with a line running 220 volts.
 
What do you set your tractor RPMs at when you hook up the generator? Do you just set it at idle and let the tractor adjust the RPMs based on generator load?
 
Agreed, Grizz.

One can buy a 7,500 watt (continuous) gasoline generator from HF for about $550.

Dean
 
You have plenty of power, durability, and economy to do what you want with the tractor. What I don't know is if that two cylinder will be smooth enough.

I have several tractors to choose from to run mine, 3, 4, or 6 cylinder. When powering just the house, with little draw, there is almost no load, and you can hear, and see the PTO/alternator almost coast. In other words, speed/voltage is steadier under load. This is never as steady as line power.

I prefer the PTO alternator over the little gas engine one, as that's another engine to try to keep running. And since it seldom gets used, that's just asking for trouble.
 
(quoted from post at 16:00:14 08/05/20) Agreed, Grizz.

One can buy a 7,500 watt (continuous) gasoline generator from HF for about $550.

Dean

I need a least a 9500 to 10kw generator because I have a electric water heater, well pump, oil furnace, and freezer, plus lights and computer. To get a good quality gas generator like a Westinghouse is $1200, but I still have to buy gas every day. If there was a major outage, gasoline might be hard to get, that was why I was thinking on using my diesel tractor.
 
Your 720 is designed to run for thousands of hours pulling a heavy load in the field. Sitting there spinning a generator for 10 or 20 hours will be a walk in the park for that tractor. It would be a good way to get the tractor warmed and exercised. The two cylinder engine might create a ripple in the power output of the generator. Some sensitive electronics in the house might or might not like that ripple.
 
I doubt running a tractor a few hours a year pulling a light load, unless it is already a basket case, will call for an engine rebuild.
 
I have an older Winpower 12KW alternator pto powered unit. More then meets my needs. I weld with it, have a a/c on it for a nail gun or anything else and I love it. I've used my 40hp mid 50's diesel Case to run it. This isn't the toy 400s, or the B series built in Bettendorf, but the Racine one. There is a difference, a big difference. I always set my engine speed with a digital voltmeter measured at an outlet in the house and it works great. A few years ago I had the 400 in the shop working on it and I tried my ol reliable SC Case (about the same as a Farmall H) and it worked flawless. I built a ext cord so I can run the tractor in a lean to shed off my granary if need be. Way back we had one here and the radiator iced up during a good ol MN blizzard. Not a happy day. I just popped in a 6" stove pipe thru the roof and I can drop it over the exhaust to run it inside, leaving the doors open. We have a 20 year old 2 story house, 2000sq ft, a/c and all that stuff and works great. And you're right those lower range pto units in the 12-15kw range are giveaways. Tractors will start, if not the gas tractor sure will. Compared to a small engine and all the rigmarole, no way unless a guy is in town and can't have an older tractor. I've other tractors but either of those are perfect and we know they'll outlive us.......... Larry
 
The generator needs to run at 60 hz. or you can damage appliances. There should be a gauge on the generator and you set the tractor speed so the generator runs at 60 hz. Also, you need to have the main breaker off so you don't backfeed power and possibly injure someone repairing the outage. I have a plate in the house panel where the main breaker needs to be turned off for the plate to be pushed up which allows the switch for the generator to be turned on. Had an electrician wire it for me.
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The pto generator should have a meter on it that tells you when you are at the correct cycles. Ours just has a "green" zone. It should be real close to the 540 pto RPM so the JD will be at fast idle which is wide open. I have ran them with 2 cyl. before without issue.
If you can get a used generator that is larger then you need you will still be fine as you will only be running so much of a load at one time anyhow.
 
I have pretty reliable power where I live but on occasion it will go out. Mostly maintenance reasons. So my use is minimal. I do have a 25K PTO generator that I power with a JD 4700 (48HP). I never expected to get the full power out of the generator the the JD 4700 but I runs just fine with the smaller normal load. If I would need full power for some reason,I will just hook up a bigger tractor. That said you will probably have enough power to run a load up to limit of the HP of your tractor. But as others have said, Im not sure how smooth the frequency (60Hz) will be. As for PTO speed. I use a frequency/voltage meter that can be bought in many places including on line. I adjust the PTO RPM to obtain a frequency of 60Hz rather than adjusting to voltage. At 60 Hz my generator has a voltage of about 129VAC no load then drops to 125VAC with load. It runs everything in the house plus some out buildings. I have even welded with it. I prefer a PTO generator as it is one less engine to keep up and I know my tractor is in good shape. I do have other portable generators that I have to work on each time I try to start them.
 
We used 35 hp Long tractors on 16” lo lift irrigation pumps(about 15’ lift).we ran them from 1300 to 1800 RPM 24/7 for weeks at a time.stopped them every 12 hours to check fan belt ,oil and fluids and to fuel them up.diesel consumption was 5-11 gallons per 12 hours.Was’nt nearly as hard on them as pulling a plow or similar implement.did change the internal pto shaft once cause the gears were worn.
 
Buy one and you will never have a need for one! Dad bought a 30kw 25 years ago and has never needed it since. I run it once a year just to be sure its working.
 
I run it at the recommended rpm for the 540 PTO but also adjust it for 60hz like others have said. I have a multi function meter that measures Hertz.
 

First of all . Thank you for installing a proper break before make transfer switch .
Absolute minimum is 1.5 shaft HP per Kw .
How about two gen sets ? A small gasser for overnight or if you have to leave the house with the breaker open to the water heater .
Daytime while cooking , washing etc Run the PTO generator .
 
Past experience tells me how fast to run the pto on my 25 KW generator. Which is slightly slower than pto speed on my 4440 or 4320. I fine tune using old clock with sweep second hand and synchronize to my watch with a sweep second hand. When I milked I would run it a touch faster so when the vacuum pump and bulk tank were running the speed would bee just right. The lights would flicker a touch until the bulk tank kicked on. Even with synchronization I could milk faster (electric pulsation) with the generator than line current. I run TV, VCR, computers, ect with no problem. If my diesels would not start because of cold I could always hook up the A or G until the diesels warm up, but I never had to. My first generator I purchased in 1973 when my cows had not been milked in 24 hours and the milk man returned a second time that day and said I had better do something. I had talked to a generator salesman a few months before, so I called him. He said buy it or he would sell to the next person that called. It had no trailer so we mounted on some long 2" x 6"s and he made some wires to plug into the meter base. I later got the double throw switch installed on the meter pole. The power was out 7 days that time so the milkman gave me good advise! The next longest time was 3 days. When I was milking I would get it hooked up 15 minutes after the power went out. Now without the cows I can wait a little longer, but if hot outside the cattle encourage me to hook it up so they can drink.
 
why don't you try answering the mans question , since it appears your the smartest person here , or maybe you don't know your as- from a bale of hay
 
Portable welders will supply juice for use as well as be a welder. Now you have a third alternative. We don't worry about the hours on a tractor,nor the time. We have had to run one for 3or 4 days straight at dad's for generator duty before. Ususlly use one of the dozen here. Most likely the 674 or the 806/856 which ever is available at the time. Fill it up and run till it needs fuel. Usually once a day. If it is going to be for long times I can just put the tank and pump by the tractor and pump more fuel if needed. If your planing on needing a generator fo longer terms like a few days I would have a tank outside for fuel to use. Hauling fuel from a cellar tank will not be fun if you need much fuel. There are plenty of old furnace oil tanks around to be used. We just clean them out then set them up to use. Could even have fuel delivered to it. Those little gas engine deals are a pain to keep running just like lawnmowers and all those things. Use the tractor,it can use the exercise in the winter anyway.
 
I've had both, there's advantages and disadvantages to each. The PTO generator is probably cheaper and has the advantage of not having another engine to maintain. You can also use it as a load to test a tractor or break it in after an engine rebuild. OTTH a GOOD genset (not a 3600 RPM screamer) is quicker to get on-line, as you don't have to go get a tractor, and hook it up to the generator. As I get older, not having to do the physical grunt work to hook it up and get it running in probably inclement weather, (since that was probably what caused the outage in the first place)and the ability for my wife to start it and switch to it if I am not home, are big plusses too.
 
i have a 25kw pto generator for the house and have used it a couple times, no real issues. but lately i have been looking at a LP generator and just pour a pad by the meter can and put an automatic transfer switch in it, that way if i am gone, the family doesnt need to worry about it, no special instructions etc, just wait 15 seconds and the power comes back on. then i will just use the pto for the shop or for portable work.
 

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