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Tool Talk Discussion Forum

Generator Question

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pbutler

08-22-2005 14:16:02




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Generally I am against Harbor Freight for anything over $19.99 but they have a couple generators that look interesting.

They have one with a Subaru engine-but Chicago Electric generator head that is really well priced for the output. My concern is 1) How easy would it be to get parts/service on a 10hp Subaru engine. 2) How likely is a generator head to fail-because I know better than to try to get Chicago Electric stuff fixed.

2nd one is a McCulloch engine and I guess head.

Does anyone out there have any positive or negative experiences with either Subaru or McCulloch small engines or generators?

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Marshall

08-29-2005 20:18:16




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
I have a McCulloch 5700 with the Chinese imitation 11-hp Honda engine that I bought from Northern Tool. It is identical to the one at HF except mine had the wheel kit for the same price. Mine has run for about 7 full days so far this summer (I live in Miami) and it has been fine. Stable speed, starts right up, fairly quiet and economical. All engine parts are supposedly interchangeable with Honda. How they can copy them like that I don't know. Anyway, it has only a one year warranty and I am leary of the head as well but so far all is ok. But if I had to do it all over again, I would buy a bigger unit and go with Honda or Generac just for the peace of mind and to run my whole house.

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JMS/MN

08-23-2005 08:03:31




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
If I were in the market for a small gen set I'd buy a Honda. Always impressed with their dependable engines. Had one on a feed cart years ago- if it wasn't running after 1-2 pulls it was out of gas. Automatic low oil level shutoff was a plus. I wouldn't buy even a hangman's noose from HF- I'm sure it wouldn't work.



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buickanddeere

08-23-2005 05:16:36




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  Generator-Welder for same price in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
Link

After purchasing a Winco Industrial 5500W I"m kicking myself. For the same or less money I could have had a HD generator and portable welder from Generator Joe.



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Robert in W. Mi.

08-22-2005 19:27:09




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
Actually it's Subaru Robin.... Use to be Wisconsin Robin... Anyway, i know two guys that have those motors and both like them.

As for HF genset, i'm with the crowd who says, if you want it to last, buy a Honda!

Robert



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Bob

08-22-2005 16:48:36




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
Buy it, and use it up, don't ever expect to repair it.

Of course, it will be the same story with a US made unit (if there is still such a thing).

A couple of years ago, a friend asked me to look at a generac unit (now Coleman). The stator was bad. A replacement part, with shipping, cost more than a new unit of similar size, at Menards.

Not a good situation, but unfortunately, that's how it is nowadays!

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Vern-MI

08-22-2005 16:36:56




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
Don't know anything about those HF gennies. I bought a Homelite with an 8 HP briggs industrial engine, LR 4400. The engine speed hunted terribly until I put in a hotter plug and ran a tip cleaner through the fixed main jet. The generator works but the plastic end housing which holds the outlets and the armature bearing has me wondering. If I were to do it again I would a name brand like Honda with a good gaurantee and the quietest exhaust available.

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RickL

08-22-2005 16:34:03




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
pbutler: I would buy from a local outlet in regards to a generator,no way would I buy from harbor freight as always been junk stuff,so far for me has been results. I do have a generator that is for sale thou if that would help you any. It is a coleman 10,000 watt unit with 18hp or 16hp need to look again that I got to use to move grain bins. Those projects are done and I don't need it now.



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pbutler

08-22-2005 19:37:25




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to RickL, 08-22-2005 16:34:03  
That is a little bigger than I was looking for but I may be interested. Where are you located?



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RickL

08-23-2005 06:47:43




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 19:37:25  
located in southeast Ia



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Midwest redneck

08-22-2005 14:31:32




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
I will add my 2 cents, for what its worth. If you are going to spend the money on a generator, something that you will need in an emergency, like power outages. I would get a Honda or a Coleman, or even a Briggs. I have a Companion, with a 10HP techumseh motor (got it at Sears), it works okay, but I have only used it a few times. I bought it in 1999 when generators were hard to come by because of the Y2K scare, I wish I could have found a better one. Good Luck

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Midwest redneck

08-22-2005 14:31:20




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to pbutler, 08-22-2005 14:16:02  
I will add my 2 cents, for what its worth. If you are going to spend the money on a generator, something that you will need in an emergency, like power outages. I would get a Honda or a Coleman, or even a Briggs. I have a Companion, with a 10HP techumseh motor (got it at Sears), it works okay, but I have only used it a few times. I bought it in 1999 when generators were hard to come by because of the Y2K scare, I wish I could have found a better one. Good Luck

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txgrn

08-22-2005 16:15:15




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to Midwest redneck, 08-22-2005 14:31:20  
Yeah whoopie for Tecumseh. I don't for the life of me know how that company has stayed in business over the years.

Bought a 10hp on an 5kw gen in '02 and ran it for probably 10 hrs in 1 yr. Last time I ran it was Oct '03.

Fired it up today and it ran for a few minutes and started coughing and finally died. After lengthy substitutions and detailed troubleshooting of fuel and ignition systems, it appears that the coil has died, but only when it gets hot. Best guess is moisture absorption in N. Texas in a garage with concrete floor and vapor barrier. Yucko for Tecumseh.....usually it's their governors that want to hunt.

Mark

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Bus Driver

08-22-2005 18:10:32




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to txgrn, 08-22-2005 16:15:15  
All my experiences with Tecumseh engines have been bad except for the last one which I bought by accident. Bought a mower in the box thinking it was Briggs. But that particular Tecumseh engine has been fine. I am still wary of them.



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Illinois Boy

08-22-2005 14:34:10




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 Re: Generator Question in reply to Midwest redneck, 08-22-2005 14:31:20  
Honda...



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