Your last generator Maintenance Run

[jgayman]

I use John Deere oil in just about everything.
It has been my experience that neither John Deere or Kubota specs or sells synthetic motor oil.

Sure they do. I use Deere's 0W-40 Plus-50 II full synthetic in my compact tractor.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The Hy guard and low visc trannny oil is about a hundred bucks a pail. Not sure I want to know how much the synthetic is.

I should check, I buy all my oil around this time of year when they have their lube sale. Saves the tax. Not much but at a hundred dollars a pail, it helps.

 

[daugen]

Sure they do. I use Deere's 0W-40 Plus-50 II full synthetic in my compact tractor.

I asked if they had 15/40 synthetic and was told no. I'll look next time. Thanks.
otherwise it's Pennzoil full synthetic or T6

 

[jgayman]

The Hy guard and low visc trannny oil is about a hundred bucks a pail. Not sure I want to know how much the synthetic is.

I should check, I buy all my oil around this time of year when they have their lube sale. Saves the tax. Not much but at a hundred dollars a pail, it helps.

$36 per gallon at my local dealer. Considering most generators use around 2-quarts or less that's enough for two oil changes. While I use this stuff in my compact tractor I've been using Mobil-1 5W-30 synthetic in my Honda generators. It's around $24 for 5-quart jugs at Walmart.

 

[jgayman]

I asked if they had 15/40 synthetic and was told no. I'll look next time. Thanks.
otherwise it's Pennzoil full synthetic or T6

That is true. No 15W-40. The only synthetic Deere sells is the 0W-40. But given that it's good for -40F to +122F, why do you need anything else. Alaska or New Mexico... you're covered.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I would like to see about using it in my Steiner Kubota Diesel. They run that Engine way too high in RPM and the little thing could use all the help it can get, especially in winter.

 

[3930dave]

I asked if they had 15/40 synthetic and was told no. I'll look next time. Thanks.
otherwise it's Pennzoil full synthetic or T6

15W40 in synth is less common. Amsoil has a few options, and I'd be a bit surprised if Schaeffer didn't as well.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I wouldn't give you a nickle for a geared john deere transmission, but I trust their oil. Maybe I'm a sucker.

 

[3930dave]

Generator- Porter Cable H1000-IS-w | 10,000w continuous, 19,500 surge

Powered by 20hp Honda, pressure lubed

Me and my wife went on a 40 day, 12,000 mile roadtrip this past summer (2018). My genny sat under double tarps through one of the wettest summers we致e had in the northeast. (Hudson River Valley, NY)

Apparently both my tarps got sunbaked and leaked. Water made it up over the fill spout and into the tank. Got home from trip, tried to fire it for a workout run, wouldn稚 start. (I didn稚 know about the water yet)

Life got busy, like trying to find a new job, as my boss kinda screwed me and I ended up having to resign to go on the roadtrip. There goes 13yrs. That痴 a whole other story. Winter rolls around, I finally have time to scope out the genny.

Checked the tank, ice in the bottom. Pulled tank, drain all gas, fresh gas, fired it up. Ran ok, bit of surging. Got dark, covered it for the night. Big snow storm on the horizon. Snopocolypse! Said the news. (Just a few days ago)

Now I see I致e got a limited window. Fuel tank is clean, added dry gas and topped it off. Pulled fuel line, frozen solid, can稚 blow through it. Pull vacuum operated fuel pump. Frozen solid. Pulled carb, ice in the bowl.

Disassembled carb, cleaned thoroughly. Left in basement all night to dry out. Replaced some o-rings, cleaned jets. Reassemble.

Blow out fuel line, run some thinner through it to remove water. Let dry.

Carefully blow through fuel pump. Run a bit of thinner through it, then fresh gas. Let dry.

The fuel solenoid was very sticky. It slowly sucked in when applied 12v. Cleaned that out and retested, apply 12v, SNAP! Good to go!

Reassembled the whole deal, left covers off. Pull choke, press start button, BANG! Fired right off. Slowly push the choke back in, no more surging, no hiccups, runs like a top again.

Finally ready to properly hook to house. Grabbed an interlock kit, some wire, and a 14-50 plug. Wired it all up, now the main and genny CANNOT be on at the same time.

Getting there slowly but surely.

Nice recovery...... not for nothing, water is called the most powerful force on the planet.

Tank venting/seal is healthy ? It's a bit surprising that much water got in....

High surge vs. continuous rating on that unit. Congrats on getting the house hooked up.

Rgds, D.

 

[shaeff]

Nice recovery...... not for nothing, water is called the most powerful force on the planet.

Tank venting/seal is healthy ? It's a bit surprising that much water got in....

High surge vs. continuous rating on that unit. Congrats on getting the house hooked up.

Rgds, D.

Thanks! Agreed, water is impressive whether it’s helping or not!

Seal seems healthy, I think it leaked through the float gauge in the fuel cap. I’ll seal that up, the plastic face on it is loose.

The high surge rating is what made me buy this unit. Well, and the Honda motor. Feels nice to have the house ready juuust in case!