🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <34ia23$lnc@nntp.ucs.ubc.ca>,
Rod Nussbaumer   <rodn@dawsun.triumf.ca> wrote:
>Marcel Burlet (marcel@ictv.com) wrote:

>the engine to a generator.  The one (I'm sure there are others) problem
>that I foresee is the matter of governing speed.  How critical is it 
>to maintain 60Hz @ 120VAC?  There is a throttle control, which could
>be built into the equation.  How is this accomplished in a dedicated
>engine/generator arrangement?  Is this a totally loony idea?  Are there
>any aftermarket products intended for this?  What about coupling the
>PTO to other non-speed-critical aparatus, like water pumps, saws, etc.?
>BTW, the garden tractor in question here is a John Deere LX176.

This is the main reason there are PTOs on tractors! Over time almost
every powered implement has been made to be run by the tractor, pumps,
saws, splitters, generators, air compressors,etc.

It's a good idea from the efficiency standpoint, it's easy to keep a
couple of tractors in shape and tuned, plus it keeps the engines
exercised during times they may not normally be used.  On the
downside, it does mean you have single point failure problems, if you
only own one tractor and it dies you're SOL.

Farm auctions are a good place to find used PTO eqpt cheap.

On a related note, a friend and I recently purchased a number of GE
ElekTraks (electric garden tractors), some of which were new in the
crate.  These were made from 70-74.  I've been using one out at the
ranch for hauling firewood, mowing, and hauling small logs to the
mill.  It has a lot better traction that a normal gas tractor, and has
a lot more low-end power.  I'm also working on an arc-welder adapter
for it.  It'll go all day on a charge.  The storage shed I'm building
will have a mount for three solar panels that'll charge the tractor
during the week for my weekend uses, so the bulk of it's power will
come from solar. 
My friend is going to take the gas motor off his log splitter and bolt
on a 36volt motor and power it off the ElekTrak, perfect for his
application. 

Kansas Windpower bought up all of GE's surplus stock of these things
and claims they shipped a lot of them of to Hawaii where the organic
farmers love 'em since they can't use regular tractors.  

Note followups.

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