2 speed pto
- Thread starter 91redfrod
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shootem604
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
L245DT with Kubota (Arps Model 22) FEL and Kubota B/L4520B (Woods 650) BH
I have a 3 speed pto and I like to use the 720rpm pto speed, but at lower engine rpm to get the 540 for my backhoe pump.
I used my previous B8200 2 speed PTO for light loads at reduced rpm's. Mostly when mowing light grass.
Running a generator with variable loads could be problematic at reduced engine rpm's and a higher PTO gear ratio. As long as you're not lugging the engine or over driving the implement there shouldn't be a problem.
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Running a generator with variable loads could be problematic at reduced engine rpm's and a higher PTO gear ratio. As long as you're not lugging the engine or over driving the implement there shouldn't be a problem.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
HiPowerOne
New member
Equipment
B7300HSD,LA271,RCK60-24, Bush Hog SQ480, Pronovost Puma-54,Winco 10KW PTO GenSet
Always a bit late to the dance, but here is my input on this topic, since we just had a short power outage.
I have a B7300 with a 2 speed rear PTO. I think they are 540 and 950 or something like that. PTO HP is rated at 12.5HP. I also have a WINCO 10KW PTO generator connected to the house with a double throw switch, so at 2HP per KW, I may get 6KW plus from the genset at full power/RPM.
Over the years, on another forum, there has been much discussion about small tractors, gensets, a 2-3speed PTO's.
After having a discussion with my Kubota dealer before buying the genset, and having talked with many local dairy farmers who depend on PTO generators during power outages, here is what I have learned and experienced.
I use my PTO genset for back up power during outages. During outages, I consider just having power a luxury. I do not need to run the dishwasher, electric range/oven, clothes dryer, etc. I do like lights, my furnace, fridge and freezer.
No matter what your PTO speed selection, you are going to adjust the engine throttle to attain the proper voltage output on the genset. I adjust to 120VAC on the meter. On my little tractor 2900RPM engine/540RPM PTO, I can get the maximum 6KW out of my generator, but run times are less due to fuel
consumption. I only use this setting when I have heavy electric loads in the house, such as during meal times.
During periods with less load requirements, I can set the engine throttle to about 1700RPM and the PTO to 950 RPM and I still get the 120VAC on the genset meter. Granted, if I tried to run a heavy load item, like the stove/oven, that would put a heavy draw on the generator, and the tractor engine, so I do not do that. But under normal, low load requirements, the furnace, freezer, fridge, lights all work well with little to no noticeable affect on the tractor/engine with this setting.
Does it work? In a word, YES! Back in 2011, when hurricane Irene came through our part of the country, we were without power for 3 days. As I had never used my setup for any extended period of time, I was prepared and committed to try it. The end result was, with using the above stated power selections, I made it through that period, running the engine all day, and only used a bit under 12 gallons of diesel. Did I need to run all that time? Maybe not, but I had the luxury of having both house lights, fridge, freezer, computer, Internet (for my home business at that time) and had no problems.
In the future, in the summer/warmer months, I might not run the engine for the full time. However, in colder/winter months, I probably would run it full time as you never know when a call for power will be needed. Again, I would probably run the engine at 1700RPM/PTO at 950RPM, and go for the low load options. During meal times, we can/could get by heating foods in a microwave, which has not been a problem for the setup.
As for those who 'debate' using a tractor for the genset, I generally look at it this way. I have a loader bucket, PTO snowblower, and a PTO Genset. During an outage, what are my priorities. If I need to clear snow from the drive, I can temporarily disconnect the genset, and plow the drive with the bucket, or quickly remove the genset and connect the snowblower. Either way, it is only a few minutes of downtime and the job is done. My diesel engine has never failed to start, even in the coldest Vermont weather. My very first gas generator, 30 years back, I cannot say the same for that. That gasoline engine was very hard to work with in cold weather. Plus, my diesel engine is maintained and run all the time.
What would I do different? Probably not much right now. If I had an opportunity to upgrade anything, I might go for a tractor with 25HP, thus being able to get the full potential from the genset.
I have a B7300 with a 2 speed rear PTO. I think they are 540 and 950 or something like that. PTO HP is rated at 12.5HP. I also have a WINCO 10KW PTO generator connected to the house with a double throw switch, so at 2HP per KW, I may get 6KW plus from the genset at full power/RPM.
Over the years, on another forum, there has been much discussion about small tractors, gensets, a 2-3speed PTO's.
After having a discussion with my Kubota dealer before buying the genset, and having talked with many local dairy farmers who depend on PTO generators during power outages, here is what I have learned and experienced.
I use my PTO genset for back up power during outages. During outages, I consider just having power a luxury. I do not need to run the dishwasher, electric range/oven, clothes dryer, etc. I do like lights, my furnace, fridge and freezer.
No matter what your PTO speed selection, you are going to adjust the engine throttle to attain the proper voltage output on the genset. I adjust to 120VAC on the meter. On my little tractor 2900RPM engine/540RPM PTO, I can get the maximum 6KW out of my generator, but run times are less due to fuel
consumption. I only use this setting when I have heavy electric loads in the house, such as during meal times.
During periods with less load requirements, I can set the engine throttle to about 1700RPM and the PTO to 950 RPM and I still get the 120VAC on the genset meter. Granted, if I tried to run a heavy load item, like the stove/oven, that would put a heavy draw on the generator, and the tractor engine, so I do not do that. But under normal, low load requirements, the furnace, freezer, fridge, lights all work well with little to no noticeable affect on the tractor/engine with this setting.
Does it work? In a word, YES! Back in 2011, when hurricane Irene came through our part of the country, we were without power for 3 days. As I had never used my setup for any extended period of time, I was prepared and committed to try it. The end result was, with using the above stated power selections, I made it through that period, running the engine all day, and only used a bit under 12 gallons of diesel. Did I need to run all that time? Maybe not, but I had the luxury of having both house lights, fridge, freezer, computer, Internet (for my home business at that time) and had no problems.
In the future, in the summer/warmer months, I might not run the engine for the full time. However, in colder/winter months, I probably would run it full time as you never know when a call for power will be needed. Again, I would probably run the engine at 1700RPM/PTO at 950RPM, and go for the low load options. During meal times, we can/could get by heating foods in a microwave, which has not been a problem for the setup.
As for those who 'debate' using a tractor for the genset, I generally look at it this way. I have a loader bucket, PTO snowblower, and a PTO Genset. During an outage, what are my priorities. If I need to clear snow from the drive, I can temporarily disconnect the genset, and plow the drive with the bucket, or quickly remove the genset and connect the snowblower. Either way, it is only a few minutes of downtime and the job is done. My diesel engine has never failed to start, even in the coldest Vermont weather. My very first gas generator, 30 years back, I cannot say the same for that. That gasoline engine was very hard to work with in cold weather. Plus, my diesel engine is maintained and run all the time.
What would I do different? Probably not much right now. If I had an opportunity to upgrade anything, I might go for a tractor with 25HP, thus being able to get the full potential from the genset.
I use the 940 RPM on my B7610 for the wood chipper. I've often thought of moving up to a bigger enclosed tractor but the lack of a two speed PTO has kept me from pulling the trigger. When you get the flywheel going at twice the RPM on the chipper it really makes a difference.
I have the 2 speed (540 / 1000) option on one of my M9's. All I use it for is reduced load demands as it takes the engine out of it's torque range to use it on a 540 implement. Now, on a 1000 rpm implement, no issue. Have a few of those too.
HiPowerOne
New member
Equipment
B7300HSD,LA271,RCK60-24, Bush Hog SQ480, Pronovost Puma-54,Winco 10KW PTO GenSet
If it has not been noted already, implements designed for 540 RPM PTO speeds should not be run at the higher 950-1000 RPM that the second PTO speed can produce, as they are not engineered for those speeds, and could create as severe safety hazard. The reference that I had in my previous post regarding my genset only has the PTO running at about 540 RPM as the engine is running at half the RPM.
Last edited:
North Idaho Wolfman
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Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Yep your right, it doesn't matter what setting you have the tractor at 540 or 1000 (or thereabouts) as long as your not over revving the implements it's perfectly fine, and yes can save some serious $$ in fuel when running low HP draw implement or uses.
I run my Snow blower in 1000RPM in light snow, I can run it at half throttle and blow the same distance with far less fuel costs.
Applies to the M9000 as well. I have the 2 speed option and the WSM calls out engine speed (pto engaged) at 540 and 1000 rpm which I verified with a Stewart Warner mechanical contact tach. 2150 in 540 for 540. 1520 in 1000 for 540. Running a 540 rated implement at 1000 pto will destroy it or worse.
I call it good at 1500 flat and I marked the tach face in the cab as well.
I call it good at 1500 flat and I marked the tach face in the cab as well.
Guess it depends entirely on how long the moving parts stay together before failing and where the OP is when they do fail.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Well said!Guess it depends entirely on how long the moving parts stay together before failing and where the OP is when they do fail.
GreensvilleJay
Well-known member
Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
question. If a PTO is rated for 12.5HP, is that at the 540 speed. IF so, when you run at say 1000, do you have less Torque ? 'power' to the implement ??
just curious.
just curious.
North Idaho Wolfman
Moderator
Staff member
Lifetime Member
Equipment
L3450DT-GST, Woods FEL, B7100 HSD, FEL, 60" SB, 743 Bobcat with V2203, and more
Yep HP ratings are normally measured at 540 RPM, yes less Torque at 1000 RPM.
The pto horsepower does not change with pto rpm's.
In theoretical terms, the power to the implement remains the same as Horse Power is torque x rpm.
In testing an engine on a dynamometer, you measure torque. Power is a calculated value.
Dave
The Wallenstein BX42 is rated for 1000 RPM. I'm not talking about the cheap Chinese copy with the same number. The PTO shaft for the chipper is twice as heavy as the one for my snow blower.