Generator

[Grassman247]

We have a 150kva one that was used as a backup for a Tesco’s store, cost 5k, it’s probably done millions of hours but I’ve had it 10 years now and it’s never let us down. Had a generator guy give it the once over when we first had it and a mechanic services it once a year for me. The staff run it once a month when doing there monthly parlour service and it’s been invaluable. We were without power for 2 days once and it didn’t stop us doing anything, plus being able to walk out the parlour turn the key and walk back in and fire up is really time saving

 

[Grassman247]

Just need to run it regularly to keep the battery fit. Spoils your day if you turn the key & nowt happens

You can have trickle chargers fitted so when the powers on the battery is constantly charging

 

[The Agrarian]

What hp is needed to drive your generator??

The general guide seems to be 1ph kVA x2, or 3ph kVA x1.5

So about 60hp for mine, which I bought to be a match (or slightly better) than a 100amp mains supply.

Justyn has the PTO geared down to 430rpm, which when run on a 540E on my small 100hp NH hits about 11-1200 engine rpm. So even an old 2wd won't be screaming her head off.

Also has already come in handy for fixing and welding gates and outlying yard facilities etc.

 

[Courier]

Maybe use a slurry tanker for the vacuum supply then a smaller genny could do the rest ?

 

[TheRanger]

Maybe use a slurry tanker for the vacuum supply then a smaller genny could do the rest ?

In the old setup (fitted in the 1960’s) we had a PTO output shaft next to the vacuum pump. In a power outage, you needed to take the V-belts off of the electric motor pulley and move them onto the pulley on the PTO shaft. A small petrol generator provided the electric for the pulsators.

 

[Netherfield]

Whichever way you go it's always the generator being boss of the tractor, not the other way round, if the tractor is the boss there's a tendency to keep putting load on and then burn out the genny, although more modern gear will have protection against doing that.

 

[Bald Rick]

Just need to run it regularly to keep the battery fit. Spoils your day if you turn the key & nowt happens

Your married too then .....

 

[Netherfield]

Here you go

Eddisons CJM | Major Online Auction - Over 70 Diesel Generators, Forklift Trucks, Fire Pumps, Ex MOD Equipment etc.

auctions.eddisons.com

 

[som farmer]

we have had 2 late milkings, and 1 missed in 12 years, there is a jenny set up for red tractor, but it doesn't work, one of those things we know we ought to do, but always seems to be a better spend on something else !!!!!

 

[Y Fan Wen]

You can have trickle chargers fitted so when the powers on the battery is constantly charging

And have a small tube heater underneath to keep the windings dry. Having a flashover on startup really spoils your day.

 

[Fergieman]

We have a PTO one fitted in the workshop with the shaft through the wall and permantly wired in, just a case of hitching up a tractor and flick a switch over to operate. Unfortunatly as thing have grown over the years the genny is no longer big enough to run everything at once, so can milk but with only one tank compressor working and no water heaters. Really needs upgrading as we use it a few times a year, being the last farm on the North east line!

 

[Beef farmer]

@Cows 'n grass 1st evening in a few months that.the cows have been full of milk?

 

[Cows 'n grass]

@Cows 'n grass 1st evening in a few months that.the cows have been full of milk?

It was a midday milking today, I think we'd have to go to every second day milking before they were full of milk now. On the plus side solids were up to 7.2 4.5 this morning

 

[Beef farmer]

It was a midday milking today, I think we'd have to go to every second day milking before they were full of milk now. On the plus side solids were up to 7.2 4.5 this morning

40ppl coming right up

 

[Bruce Almighty]

We bought one of these last spring and have been very pleased with it

https://www.bellwoodrewinds.co.uk/product/linz-60kva-pto-generator/

They're an excellent company to deal with
135 hp tractor on 750 PTO at little over tick over

The only fault is the weak headstock (easily reinforced) if you plan to move it around

Our previous 30 kva generator was installed in 1999 in preparation for the Millenium bug !

The old one was permanently housed in an old coalshed & regularly got damp / condensation etc
Now we have a trailing plug on a lead from the generator with a fixed socket on the wall where the old one still resides.
It's mobile, we don't have to move the junk in front of the shed & there are single & 3 phase sockets on the back of it so we can take power anywhere

 

[Dead Rabbits]

Being prepared is no fun. Much more exciting to live on the edge with no back up and no spares in the same hemisphere.

 

[vantage]

Being prepared is no fun. Much more exciting to live on the edge with no back up and no spares in the same hemisphere.

Conversely it’s easier on the head and heart!

 

[Cows 'n grass]

Lost power is probably the most likely reason to miss a milking but there are plenty of others.

How many people keep a spare vacuum pump or milk pump? Would you start milking in the morning if you had no refrigeration?

 

[vantage]

Lost power is probably the most likely reason to miss a milking but there are plenty of others.

How many people keep a spare vacuum pump or milk pump? Would you start milking in the morning if you had no refrigeration?

What do you need refrigeration for? A week ago the tanker never turned up to collect, relief put pipe in tank and milked merrily away, oblivious to the fact the tank was full so the morning’s milk went down the drain!

 

[vantage]

Lost power is probably the most likely reason to miss a milking but there are plenty of others.

How many people keep a spare vacuum pump or milk pump? Would you start milking in the morning if you had no refrigeration?

@eulb probably does.(Keep a spare.)