PTO Generator Buying Guide

Getting power to distant corners of your property can be a real challenge for those who live and work off the land. That's where the Power Take-Off (PTO) generator, sometimes called a tractor generator, comes in.

PTO generators connect directly to your tractor's driveshaft, leveraging the existing engine to generate electricity—where your tractor goes, your power follows.

Here's what you need to know when selecting the right PTO generator for your needs.

The Core Benefits of a PTO Generator

Before diving into sizing, it's important to understand why these units are so popular among professionals and farm owners.

Portability

Use your tractor to take power tools or necessary equipment far from any utility pole. Look for models with a lifting eye for easy movement.

Home Backup

Paired with a manual transfer switch, a PTO driven generator can provide reliable backup power to your house, barn, or any building during an outage. For sensitive electronics, look for models designed with low Total Harmonic Distortion (THD).

Lower Cost

PTO generators often cost less than equivalent dedicated home standby generators while offering substantial power output.

Reduced Maintenance

With fewer internal parts than a gasoline engine (since they use your tractor's engine), PTO driven generators require less upkeep. Look for features like maintenance-free bearings and a brushless generator, which offer greater efficiency and quieter operation.

Sizing Your PTO Generator

Selecting the right PTO generator requires a careful match between the generator and your tractor's capabilities. Follow these three critical steps.

1. Select Engine Size (Horsepower)

This is the most critical factor for determining the generator's potential output. The PTO unit must be matched to the horsepower (HP) of your tractor engine.

As a general rule, you need 2 HP of tractor engine power to produce 1 kW of electricity. For example, to generate 25 kW of power, you would need a tractor with a 50 HP engine.

2. Select Engine Speed (RPM)

Your tractor's Power Take-Off shaft typically operates at one of two speeds: 540 RPM or 1000 RPM. Most newer tractors can operate at both speeds. If your tractor is limited to just one speed, you'll need to purchase the corresponding PTO driven generator designed for that RPM.

3. Select Electrical Phase

PTO generators produce power in either single-phase or three-phase electricity.

Single-phase power is the standard type, used for residential and general applications—such as the power coming out of your home's wall sockets.

Three-phase is used for higher-powered industrial and commercial applications that require 208 volts or 480 volts.

Reliable Power

By matching your PTO generator to your tractor's HP, RPM, and the electrical phase required for your needs, you can ensure reliable, high-output power anywhere on your property.

Ready to find the right fit for your property? Shop PTO generators at Ferguson Home.