I've seen these, too. As I have both a 16 and a 30 HP diesel tractor I had
given them some thought, as well. The cons, as I see it and as have been
pointed out to me by others, are as follows:
You might need your tractor for moving downed trees, clearing
snow, etc at the same time you are also generating power.
Generators have a regulator that controls the speed, which
controls the voltage/frequency. You would probably need to add a frequency
meter to the generator and you would probably be fiddling with the throttle
all the time to maintain the correct voltage and frequency, and stand a
chance to blow up any frequency sensitive equipment such as TVs,
microwaves, computers, etc;
Power losses through the PTO are substantial, but with a 45 HP
tractor you wouldn't have much to worry about; you have plenty of
reserve. However, you will be running a 45 HP tractor the whole time
regardless if you need the output or not, with the subsequent fuel
consumption. ;
Don't underestimate the PITA factor of hooking up a 3 point
generator in the dark/rain/snow/middle of the night/etc. I have a 3 point
PTO chipper, tiller and brush hog, and some days they are a huge pain to
install in broad daylight after a good breakfast. I would rather just flip
a couple of switches.
The pros, of course, are first cost, and portability. However,
my take on PTO powered generators is that they would be better for
"non-emergency" power generation such as running a shop full of tools at a
remote site, than as a back up emergency generator.
Of course, this is all my opinion, and everyone is free to poke holes in my
argument. I'm probably going to go with the propane/gas setup, if I can
talk my propane supplier to bring me a bigger tank for little or no cost.
Dave
At 08:25 AM 10/1/2007 -0400, eric@megageek.com wrote:
>Since this is brought up, I have a side question.
>
>I have a brand new 45 HP tractor. I always see 3-pt hitch mount generators
>that go pretty cheap for their KW output.
>
>I was thinking that for the price, I could have a nice genny sitting around
>(with no motor to maintain), then when I need it, just drive the tractor
>over to the basement window and have a power cable that feeds a manual cut
>off box. The tractor could just sit outside running. Another nice thing
>about this is that if one of my buddies looses power, they can borrow the
>genie without me worrying about them trashing the motor. (only my friends
>with tractors could borrow it, and they all take care of things.) 8>)
>
>Also, I have a few "home heating oil tanks" on the property, one is filled
>to JUST be used as fuel for the tractor. So I wouldn't risk running out of
>fuel. (over 500 gals of fuel on the property at a min. all the time.) (I
>wonder why the local PD calls my place "The Compound?" 8>)
>
>So, does anyone have any experience? Any pros or cons?
>
>
>Moose
>
>"We all know we're dying, And there's no sign of a parachute."
> Tori Amos
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