PTO Generators vs. Standby Generators: Why We No Longer Recommend PTO Units
At Edick Electric, we’ve always prided ourselves on offering the best solutions for our customers—whether they’re homeowners, businesses, or farms. For years, we considered PTO generators (power take-off generators) to be a great option for our agricultural clients or anyone with a compact tractor at home. They seemed like a practical, cost-effective alternative to a standby generator.
Our reasoning made sense at the time:
✅ Portability – PTO generators can be moved around as needed.
✅ Plenty of Power – With the right tractor, they can produce significant wattage.
✅ Less Maintenance – No extra engine to maintain—just keep up with tractor maintenance.
✅ No Fuel Storage Issues – The tractor supplies the power, so there’s no need to store gasoline, diesel, or propane for a separate engine.
But over the years, based on real-world experience, we’ve changed our opinion.
Why We No Longer Sell PTO Generators
On the Edick Electric Motors side of our business, we frequently see PTO generators brought in for repairs. The most common complaint?
"It fried my appliances!"
Customers would report that their PTO generator had damaged a refrigerator, computer, TV, or other electronics. But when we ran our tests on the generator, we found nothing wrong. The voltage, hertz, and output all checked out under no-load conditions.
Eventually, we pinpointed the true issue:
🚜 The problem wasn’t the PTO generator—it was the tractor.
Why Tractors Struggle to Generate Clean Power
A generator needs to maintain a steady speed (RPM) to produce stable, clean electricity. Generator engine manufacturers design their engines with highly sensitive governors that adjust instantly to keep RPM fluctuations within a very tight range. This ensures consistent voltage and frequency output—critical for protecting sensitive electronics.
Tractors, however, are not designed for this. Their governors are built for pulling implements, not for maintaining ultra-stable RPM under varying electrical loads. As the power demand on the PTO generator changes, the tractor's RPM fluctuates, and its voltage regulator struggles to keep up. This results in "dirty power"—voltage and frequency swings that can damage modern electronics.
Modern Electronics Are More Sensitive Than Ever
Years ago, electronics weren’t as sensitive to power fluctuations. But today, with microprocessors in almost every household appliance—from refrigerators to furnaces to televisions—even minor power inconsistencies can cause long-term damage or immediate failure.
That’s why we no longer sell PTO generators. The risk to your equipment, combined with the inconsistency of tractor-driven power, simply isn’t worth it.
The Standby Generator Solution
For anyone needing reliable backup power—especially for a farm, home, or business—a properly installed standby generator is the way to go.
🔹 Stable Power Output – Standby generators are designed to produce clean, consistent power with minimal fluctuation.
🔹 Automatic Operation – They start up automatically during an outage—no tractor needed.
🔹 Protects Electronics – Designed with modern power needs in mind, they won’t put your appliances or sensitive equipment at risk.
🔹 No Manual Hookup Hassles – No need to run outside in a storm to connect your tractor and PTO generator.
Bottom Line
A PTO generator isn’t a bad product—but it’s being asked to do a job that tractors weren’t designed for. If you only need to run a few power tools or basic equipment, a PTO generator might get the job done. But if you want safe, reliable, and clean power for your entire home or farm, a standby generator is the right choice.
At Edick Electric Power, we specialize in properly installing and servicing standby generators for homes, farms, and businesses. If you're considering backup power, we’d be happy to help you choose the best option for your needs.
💡 Have questions? Contact us today to discuss your standby generator options!
