YAGT (Yet Another Generator Thread.)

[HankB 16]

In the Chicago area, some folks still have power out from the last storm on Friday. We lost power too, but only momentarily. Last year we lost power for several days, so I know what these folks are going through.

As another storm rolls in with more thunderstorms predicted for the following two days, I'm thinking a source of backup power might be pretty useful. My first thought when I saw mention of a generator attachment for a tractor was that's just a bit too much. Surely a purpose built unit would be better. But I'm rethinking that now.

First, a purpose built unit won't see much service. It could go years between actual need to use, perhaps even decades. Yet keeping it in peak operable condition would take periodic maintenance. Not that that sort of thing has ever been a problem for me. My tractor OTOH sees year round use and I always have fresh gas in it.

Second, the Kohler Magnum 14 is probably a more durable engine than what comes on any but the most expensive portables. I'm not planning a permanently installed unit. But I am presuming that the Kohler could run for days if called upon at 3600 RPM and keep the generator humming away.

I think I'd even feel safe refueling while it is running since the fuel and exhaust are at opposite ends of the tractor.

The generator I'm thinking about using is this 10kW/7.2kW unit from Harbor Freight:

http://www.harborfreight.com/10000-watts-m...head-45416.html

At 2 hp/kW, I'm just about there with a 14hp Kohler. At worst, I would not get full capacity out of the generator which would probably help it to last longer.

My plan is to make a mounting bracket that would attach to the front quick mount in place of the mule and extend back to the mid mount. I have to work the calculations, but at 93 lb for the generator, I don't think I'm going to be able to use a hinge bracket and get reasonable belt tension. Hmmm... A belt 30

[oldandred 15]

hummmm if the house genny dont get the job done I rill out the old 314-8 and let her rip

[Forest Road 594]

To each his own. Personally I'd steer clear of harbor freight for anything that you're going to depend on in an emergency. Northern Tool has a few belt driven generators available.

Good luck

[HankB 16]

To each his own. Personally I'd steer clear of harbor freight for anything that you're going to depend on in an emergency. Northern Tool has a few belt driven generators available.

Good luck

I have no doubt that the generators at Northern Tool are better built than the ones that come from Harbor Freight. In my case I'm protecting some frozen food. I can't really justify spending the extra $$$ for the better unit. If that was all that was available, I'd not be planning on doing this as it would not be cost effective.

Now that I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger (and the $20 off sale seems to be over ) I'm wondering about the pulley size.

What size pulley do I need to get 3600 RPM on the generator? Since I don't have excess HP, I'm not planning on running the engine a lot slower than full RPM.

How well will the engine hold RPM over various loads? Will it regulate better at full speed than part throttle?

How do I decide which PTO pulley groove to use? Are they for different belt sizes?

I've been studying the posts and parts diagrams for the WH generator and discussing this with my son. We plan to do the welding at his place over the 4th weekend. At the moment I'm thinking about a rigid frame that extends back from the mid mount. It will drop down a bit to clear the front axle and then extend past the front tires to where the generator will mount. I'll make a T-shaped piece for the front mount with the stem of the T threaded. It will pass through a hole in the frame and allow me to make adjustments to the belt tension. Tension will still be provided by the weight of the generator, but the lift will me to allow adjustment to less than full tension developed by the weight. That way if the angle of the belt is less than 30

[Forest Road 594]

Hank

I feel your pain in terms of the budget. But I need to ask you this - If that meat defrosts, how much is it worth? Food for thought. Keep shopping around you'll be surprised at whats available.

As far as the two pulley grooves go they're the same width. They operate at two different speeds. Think of it like gears on a bicycle. THe smaller diameter will deliver lower speeds and more torque.

As for working under load you should be fine so long as your needs don't exceed the rating of your generator. Take a voltage reading w/ no load and aim for a max 125v. THen take a reading under moderate load. So long as you stay at or above 115 volts you should be fine. And I don't suggest running a computer or other electronics off a generator. Refrigeration equipment and motors will be fine at any voltage in that range.

Good luck