Harbor Freight PTO Generator

[@danielthechskid]

A few thoughts: Set the 3 point height and angle so that the PTO shaft is as straight as possible, this will reduce the speed pulsations caused by the U joints flexing and will reduce the stress on the tractor and generator's gearboxes. (see Spicer vs CV universal joints) Running a 1000 RPM PTO at 540 will slow the engine and save fuel, but it is at the expense of less engine governor accuracy and you will have to adjust the throttle more with varying electrical loads to maintain 60Hz.

[@jacquesmarsacq7840]

We have used the kzbin.infoUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!

[@samking73]

I have a 15,000 W Winpower and we used to pull an 8 stanchion milk barn and two houses no problem with it. It would make the 756 IH talk a little when you first flipped the milker pump on or our grain mill though.

[@hardwire12]

@thegoodrates Overall we have been very satisfied with the unit. It seems to be holding up well although we have only needed it for light duty situations. As for the 1000 RPM PTO setting with lower engine RPM, we continue to use this configuration successfully. The tractor has enough HP to easily manage the load. However, as "Danielthechskid" mentions in one of the post, it does reduce the engine governor accuracy so maintaining 60Hz is a little more challenging with changing electrical loads.

[@jameyevans29]

How is the generator after 9 years?

[@hardwire12]

@TrollSaw This is just my opinion; use your own judgment. The generator must be operated at 540 rpm to perform properly. Modern tractor PTO systems are designed to operate at this speed so I wouldn’t think that it would harm the tractor. I wouldn’t expect fuel consumption to be much different than comparable portable generator with its own engine. Good luck!

[@ilove_sports]

Hows it holding up after a few years?

[@Klownguy22]

540 rpm? Isn’t that about idle speed??

[@seoulkidd1]

Great backup power or off grid

[@petermashak3341]

I’d have that tractor on idle when you start it, then bring the throttle up to 540 RPM.

[@Victor-hb4hj]

One ground rod driven to 12’ or two 6’ rods driven 6’ apart and cabled together

[@BlueFlameOfLife]

so you can make your 120v outlets out put 230 v ? seems like a great way to bun up good tools ..

[@thegoodrates]

@hardwire12 hello there i am in the process of buying the same unit, I just wanted to ask you what your overall opnion is on the unit? has it held up good for over a year now or are there any issues? have you played with the 1000 speed on the pto? thanks in advance! DEE.

[@hardwire12]

@ncrdisabled We did not have to do any modifications for it to work.

[@MrMunchiemo]

Did the three point attachment that holds the generator come with it?

[@wa4aos]

Great video and you did a nice job explaining what your were doing. Other youtube people could learn how to do a good video by watching yours. Too many people want to play music and NOT explain anything.. My tractor is a John Deere 2520 and has only 26.5 HP diesel Yanmar engine. Do you think this is enough? Regards, Glenn SC

[@michaelwaller8252]

You don't wa nt to go above 12kw on that size tractor.

[@chriswesney]

Very cool video. I wanted to buy one of these but my stupid Ford tractor doesn't have a PTO!

[@jasonodom7396]

I havent personally heard of a ford tractor without a pto. Alot of times on industrial tractors they would put a cover over the pto. Look on the rear end and there may be something that looks similar to a cap for a welding gas bottle with a nut built into the end. If there is take it off and there will be a shaft underneath.

[@lomgshorts3]

I want to mount a generator head in my '79 GMC C1500 under tthe hood. What generator should I look for?

[@ncrdisabled]

Was that a direct connection or did you have to modify it to fit?

[@Hogger280]

Need to steady your camera.

[@lomgshorts3]

You need some grease in the U joints on the shaft for the PTO. No U joints should sound like that, ever. A little PM never hurts.

[@Rowdyrigs69]

That looks like a pretty handy piece of equipment. How much did you pay for it?

[@realtormail1]

hey great video..i think im going to get one of these to go along with my other power options, if you dont mind, whats the lowest price youve seen this on sale at HF for? i havent paid attn to it...i like to get stuff when its on sell there an use the 20% off 1 item coupon they send out..(its online reg price for $1499 rt now, an has 5 star reveiw with ppl too! lol a rareity for HF...)

[@adamd7564]

NEC 250.52(A)(5) states: “Rods and pipe electrodes shall not be less than2.44 m (8 ft.) in length.”

[@smitty2721]

What size conductors wires in the cable to use for this generator?

[@aux1z11]

Thin speaker wire holds up nicely running 240v and can power 4 houses

[@smitty2721]

@@aux1z11 ok, you go ahead and use speaker wire yours smart ass.

[@kb4gap565]

That's a good video....BUT...... PUT A LOAD ON THE GENERATOR ! Then let it run...

[@lomgshorts3]

Everytime the load changes, the power of the PTO will need to be adjusted so the generator can meet the load and the frequency (50 to 60 hz these days)

[@sawyerrob949]

NO, that's what the governor is for, to compensate for load changes! SR

[@superdog1964]

I agree 100%. Depending on the load and other factors the voltage and hertz will change. You are not doing yourself any favors by using the fine spline 1000RPM PTO output either and lowering the engine RPM. If a sufficient load is suddenly thrown on the generator the engine will stall, possibly break a shear pin or twist off the PTO output shaft on the tractor. I have witnessed all 3 over the years. On the RPM gauge in the dash of the tractor the PTO indicator mark location is at the same engine RPM for both PTO outputs (coarse spline 540 and fine spline 1000 RPM) on the back of the tractor. For the tractor to provide the manufacturers stated PTO horsepower output, the engine must be turning at a specific RPM. This allows the engine to develop the needed torque and provide inertia when a sudden load is applied to whatever speed PTO is being utilized. Yes, the lower RPM is saving some fuel and maybe wear and tear on the tractor? I suppose that as long as you know only 40 to 60% of the engines power is being used to achieve 540RPMs and it is a light load it may work out? I always lose when I gamble for sure. I hope it works out for you......BUT.............don't.............forget.............to change the output if you need all 15000Kw

[@arbeeex]

There is a reason copper clad ground rods are ten feet long - duh! It should be buried completely in the earth either vertically or in a trench horizontally. If the earth is very dry it still is not well grounded. Moist ground will improve the conduction significantly. The NEC and many electricians recommend multiple ground rods spaced about ten feet apart and connected in series. Is a life not worth twenty bucks?

[@chuco1336]

Brentelec shit screw driver dose fine on the job site!🏦

[@basketballjones6782]

That's not by any stretch of the imagination a "ground". LOL

[@lomgshorts3]

Yeah, drive 6' ground rod in until 2" is exposed. That is an acceptable ground, not just stuck in a few inches. Full grounds depend on total contact of at least six foot. Power companies use 8' ground stakes for safety.

[@enforcerx2004]

I seen them for $1,299 on sale at harbor freight. I was talking to DR power. They make them a lot better cuz there not made in china. check the DR chipper also. Its worth its weight in gold almost.

[@realamericanz4641]

Drpower no longer has any pto generators on their site

[@drperkakasbandungcigan5945]

Remember... This video only demonstration... Really or fake everything is just demonstration....

[@tomjennings4464]

what??? I can't hear you.

[@dirtyd9792]

They just don't make them like that anymore

[@dslrhd618]

Lmao a ft and a half, if the ground was pretty moist ide say 3 ft and you would have a decent ground.

[@alatta999]

1

[@josephcollins3276]

Learned absolutely nothing from this…