Karl Townsend wrote:
"Pete C." wrote in message
ster.com...

Karl Townsend wrote:

I have an 11 hp. water cooled Koehler diesel engine. I'd like to use it
to
power three different devices: a 3" trash pump, a three phase generator,
and
a two stage air compressor. I want to put it all on a pallet and use a
forktruck to move it around.

I'm at concept stage. Should I plan on a double pulley and V belt to each
unit? This could get too expensive but allows running device at
different
speed from engine. Or, can I just use a roller chain coupling between
units - remove double chain to exchange units - I think these only allow
about 20 thou misalignment. Anybody done this with success? Or, use a PTO
shaft - allows a lot of misalignment. Other suggestions?

"The Kid" will build it for me, mostly. He'll laser cut all sheet metal
up
to 1/2" thick and do the welding plus get the engine mounted and running.
I
just got to design and do any lathe or mill work.

Karl

Make everything fit a Cat 1 three point hitch format, i.e. one power
pallet with a Cat 1 type output, and all attachments individual to fit
Cat 1 hitch, so everything can be interchanged with a tractor if needed.
The power unit is basically just an immobile tractor. You can forklift
up the power unit with the 3pt attachment on it for easy movement.


I don't want to stifle any creativity here. But, my plan is to treat each of
the power consuming units like a mold in a molding press. they will all be
mounted to a plate say 18" by 24". The plate drops in a pocket and you
impact wench on four bolts. The large plate with the pocket has the engine
permanently mounted and is on a small skid. My real quandary at this point
is the best way to attach the rotating power. I'm leaning to two of the
roller chain couplings and a short shaft between engine and unit.

But, I do know this group can com up with great ideas I hadn't considered.

Karl



Could you make use of automotive IRS halfshafts?. IIRC some cars, BMW
springs to mind, use a Lobro joint either end fixed with 6 bolts and
would provide some plunge and cope with angular mis-alignment no
problem, and are constant velocity. Some models, at least older ones
have quite short shafts as they have drum handbrakes and the shafts are
maybe 14" long IIRC, 300 series?. For quick connection maybe you would
have to come up with something .

Last time I saw a roller chain coupling it was on a tractor pull unit in
the UK. IIRC one V12 Jag engine in the centre and eight straight 6
Jaguar engines around that, 2 at each corner coupled end to end with a
roller chain coupling, impressive but pedestrian compared to a RR
Griffon engined tractor unit that ran later.