Generator Runs Off Garden Tractor

Generator Runs Off Garden Tractor TRACTORS Accessories 28-4-37 I've never had a standby generator at my place so I always felt a bit vulnerable about power outages. I decided to mount a generator on our garden tractor, and we couldn't be more pleased with it. It lets us produce portable electric power any time and any place we need it. Lloyd Meffert is a lawn mower and small engine expert at Hettick, Ill. I asked him if he could mount a generator on our old Ford garden tractor, which is powered by an 8 hp engine. We bought a NorthStar 2,900-watt, belt-driven generator from Northern Tool (ph 800 221-0516; website: www.northerntool.com). It requires at least a 5 hp gas engine and sells for $299.99 on the company's website. Meffert extended the front part of the tractor frame, then welded a vertical steel plate onto it which allows the generator to be mounted in a vertical position. He positioned the generator to line up perfectly with the tractor engine pulley, allowing enough space to install a belt tightener. Our son Joe is a journeyman electrician. He set up our home so we can still have heat and water in the event of a power outage. First, he set up the furnace and the water pump so they can be plugged directly into the generator. Then he rigged our home so we can pull out the main fuse coming in and plug in the generator. We've been cautioned never to operate the standby unit without first disconnecting from the power company's incoming line. That's because standby power can be fed back out into the power line and could endanger anyone working on the line. We use the generator to power electric tools such as chain saws and hedge trimmers. We also use it to provide power for emergency flood lights, and to do repair work anywhere in our yard or out in the field. Something Joe insists is necessary is the use of a ground fault eliminator - a small yellow accessory that plugs into the generator. It eliminates any danger of electrocution when using electric-powered hand tools. The generator that we use is designed to deliver 2,600 continuous watts and produces 21.7 amps at 120 volts, and 10.8 amps at 240 volts. It has two 15-amp, 120-volt outlets and two 15-amp, 240-volt outlets. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, C.F. Marley, P.O. Box 93, Nokomis, Ill. 62075 (ph 217 563-2588).

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