There aren’t a lot of tractor-powered generator specialists in the UK these days, so the arrival of a new model is pretty exciting. Preston firm P Cowell has been operating in this market for 40 years and was showing its latest machine at the Livestock Event 2014.

Instead of the previous basic frame, there’s now a more weather-resistant covered version with a rainproof roof, galvanised frame and heavy-duty gearbox.

This unit is a three-phase 75kVA model that is rated at 100A and would comfortably run a milking parlour and the rest of the farm. It needs about 100hp from the tractor.

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There’s certainly no drop-off in interest in this sort of equipment, says the firm. Why’s that? Well, power cuts are becoming more common, it points out, thanks to supply interruptions and windy weather bringing down trees.

Also, extending underground or pole-mounted wires can be so expensive that it makes more sense to buy a tractor-mounted unit. Cost of a 75kVA pto-powered unit is about £3,000.

The company also sells new engine-driven generators suitable for milking parlours, grain store and other equipment.

These typically cost £10,000-12,000 and the company points out that its ability to restore electricity within 60 seconds of a power failure could be vital for farmers with robot milkers.

See also: All the news and photos from the Livestock Event 2014