Hi all, this might seems like a strange question, but I have a 5 year old riding mower (Craftsman 20 hp) in great condition that I have no use for anymore. What I would really like is to convert this in to a generator in the event that I lose power in the future. Is this feasible? Can it be done and what would I need to do this?

Thanks for any help

 

You could use a belt drive generator assy such as this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=45416

you would have to rig up a way to mount and attach a drive belt.

 

Wheelhorse, Deere and others used to offer a generator attachment for their garden tractors, driven off the same PTO that drove the mower. I see no reason you can't do this, you will just need to come up with a bracket and drive that will spin the generator at the proper speed.

 

Most "off the shelf" generators are designed to run in a horizontal position. The bearings are not heavy duty enough to stand the load of the rotor in a vert position. If you can find a place to mount it horiz. and have a belt long enough so you can have a twist in it from vert. to horiz. it should work OK.
Mike

 

PTO gen heads:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/category_6970_36+182378_2