Deciding On Used Diesel Generators?
There are a great many benefits to purchasing used diesel generators as well as some fairly obvious pitfalls. Used generators will fall into two categories - large units that can be worth anywhere up to $500,000 and more, which will go to areas such as industrial, telecommunications, manufacturing and mining, and the used diesel generators that are required for small businesses, farms, homes and recreational use. When shopping for used diesel generators the principles for a good purchasing outcome are very much the same, whether you are looking at a 5000 watt generator or a 2000 Kilowatt unit. Before making the final decision, these are some of the important factors which must be considered when buying used diesel generators:
1. The Age and Work History Even though it may not always be easy, you need to see if you can ascertain how old the set is, as well as how many hours work it has done. Quite often you will find that used diesel generators have their own odometer which records the hours. If possible you should try and find out how the generator was used - whether for standby or prime power. Standby generators will generally be better maintained. When none of this information is available you are going to have to go by the seller's reputation, particularly if they have been responsible for testing or rebuilding the unit before reselling it. 2. Recognized Manufacturer Buying used diesel generators that have a well recognized brand name is far better than buying a brand that you have never heard of before. When you are going to be relying on this purchase to provide emergency electric power, it is not the time to take a chance on an unknown manufacturer. A well known trusted manufacturer will have generators that can pass the test of time, and you will always be able to find parts and technical advice if needed. There are many used diesel generators available from the veterans such as Cummins/Onan, Detroit, Caterpillar and Kubota that will last for many more years if properly maintained. 3. Service History This is also another area that may be difficult to obtain information about. Many used diesel generators are bought at auctions and foreclosures, and this type of information seems to often be missing. Once again you will have to rely on the seller's level of knowledge. Maintenance records if available will detail how well the equipment was looked after which is important in determining how many more years it is likely to last. 4. Wear and Tear This is usually the first thing that any prospective buyer of used diesel generators does. Visually you will be able to see whether there are any obvious signs of wear. Are there any oil leaks? Do any of the parts have cracks? Are any parts looking questionable? 5. Road Test You are going to want to hear the generator operating, and if a load test has not been performed then you need to ask for one. This will identify how efficient it is in electric power generation. You also need to check for proper output and frequency, that is the quality of the power produced. Because you are buying pre-owned equipment, you are not going to get much in the way of a warranty with used diesel generators. It is fair to insist on some sort of guarantee though, particularly if you are buying a larger industrial type unit. If you are buying from a well recognized seller who has reconditioned the unit then it is not unreasonable to ask for a one to three month limited warranty. |
