KUBOTA DIESEL GENERATOR UPGRADES Pt.1

This is the generator I use for back up power at my house. It started life as a "Light Tower". It is rated at 6 Kw at 120/240 single phase.
Last winter this gen operated for 18 hrs during a heavy snow storm.

[@DanielinLaTuna]

That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking about buying. Cold not an issue for me; I’m in California so my emergency will be earthquake Thanks for sending

[@rustblade5021]

those kubotas are great little engines

[@chriholt]

Awsome upgrades Mike - can't wait to see it all in operation!

[@WilliamPozo]

I used a kubota light tower diesel generator to run submersible pumps for 10 days straight. 24 hours a day. Only stopped for oil changes. Refueling was done with the unit on. Those things are indestructible. Good Video.

[@kerrygleeson4409]

Great setup yes diesel is the only way to go always very interesting thanks for sharing 👍

[@Jason1Pa]

I like that generator! The gauges turned out nice too

[@paulmaxwell8851]

Yup, great generators. Mine has almost exactly 10,000 hours on it, and although it's a little slower to start these days it still has lots of life in it. Just change the oil regularly! I would NOT cheap out on the glowplugs. it's too risky. If a tip breaks off the cylinder will suffer major damage. Spend more and sleep better. My neighbour has the same unit as me, and installed a momentary push-button switch to keep the glowplugs glowing for 5 or 10 seconds after starting. I know several folks here are worried about doing this, but he hasn't had any problems after several years. And he uses his generator a LOT, being off-grid. BUT.... he uses Kubota glowplugs. Just my two cents worth!

[@dustybunny250]

great way to start the new year, with a mike video!

[@danieledick2678]

I have always wanted to get my hands on an old light plant generator to do just this purpose. It seems like every light tower generator is just bulletproof, I like what you are doing with the control panel. looking forward to the update.

[@DrFiero]

Worked on 100s of those and similar in a rental fleet. Kubotas are awesome. If you haven’t set the valve lash, do it. They like/need it.. That white puffing on start up looked like a cold cylinder.

[@V10PDTDI]

DrFiero I thought the same when the engine started at first then he said that there was one burnt glow plug I wasn’t surprised because he said it was hard to start in cold temperatures.

[@zuestoots5176]

@@V10PDTDI FIL's 7.3l Ford does the same thing. 4 out of 8 glows are dead, it needs to be on the block heater if its below 50 outside temps. Keep trying to get him to the buy the parts so i can replace them but his response is "I only drive it once every 2 weeks. Other than that, it only pulls the camper 6 times a year"

[@jamesdavis4124]

Enjoyed video, now waiting on part 2.

[@johndean7618]

I had the same type unit as my home back up. I built an auto start stop panel, added a block heater and a electronic governor. Installed in garage with lovers. Worked great. Kep us running throughout the north east aera blackout on Augustv14, 2003. I have an Asco ATS that I built a new controller for. Still going strong. The generator was upgraded to a 18 KW Kohler. With a 2.3 L Ford 1800 RPM engine.

[@alecjahn]

Sounds great!

[@JoshKilen]

very nice upgrades.

[@aleblanc3547]

I'd never asked, but I'm glad to hear what you use and a little surprised it's not more than 6K. Then again, I live in hurricane alley and have a total electric house so I'm used to guys talking 8K portable 3600 RPM screamers, and I don't think that includes running central air. It's still pretty expensive ($10-12K+) to have Generac whole house units but they are getting very popular, with about 20% of homes having one. Thanks Mike!

[@jeffwhite9001]

Nice work!

[@pauljohansson7697]

I just subscribed to your channel and hello from New Hampshire.

[@drewdude444]

Otherwise man I love every single video you post on your channel

[@melchristian3638]

Happy new year Mike and to your whole family and crew

[@dougc190]

These little things do run forever. When I was working the oil fields in North Dakota, in the winter time we never turn them off.

[@scottmccoy4129]

Great video 👍 I use two of these light towers as backup at my home. Could you please do a video on how to properly phase and run two generators in parallel! I run only one as backup in spring & fall, but in winter and summer I run the two in parallel to handle the load of two heat pumps + normal house loads. Gives great flexibility, efficiency and redundancy. I think a lot of people would find this interesting.

[@rikmorley6469]

Hi Mike all the best for 2019 from Dunfermline in Scotland ! I've had kubota engines on everything from excavators to ride on mowers, beyond -10C they all play up . Even worse on our lower tax red site diesel which is full of gunk and water

[@jmccracken491]

Very informative video.

[@Equiluxe1]

Most of the Newage Stamford alternators were made as 12 wire units, so you could wire them as three phase as well as single, I used to make gen sets and used a lot of their units made up the road from me in Stamford Lincolnshire.

[@raincoast2396]

A word of caution. Active glow plugs while starting, have a tendency to "melt" off falling into the cylinder. That's why the original switch has a break between plugs and start.

[@aserta]

I've heard they do that, never actually seen it, sounds disastrous.

[@mytmousemalibu]

I can't speak to the quality of cheap/Chinese import garb but any glow plug of quality should have the glow element outer jacket made from inconel. That stuff is born to live in high temp, nasty environments, extremely tough metal. I have worked on many, many diesels over the years and owned many too. Never seen a melted tip. They can break off but that's almost exclusively during removal. Be sure to ream the glow chamber and anti seize the new plugs. If you want to get fancy, go buy the glow relay/timer off an old Benz diesel. Then you can have a fancy automatic afterglow system to get the engine up on it's feet in the coldest days.

[@brianmorrison9066]

The key is built like that for a reason.

[@axeman6560]

Stamford head, nice those are good generators. 😀

[@jamest.5001]

I like that! Im off grid, and a generator more like that would be a big help. Split phase, the couple I have are smaller, but something like that, would be much better, and I could put a large 24v alternator on it, and charge the batteries, and wash and dry clothes, cool!! I need to find one, it build one!!

[@offgridmangogrower]

This is almost perfect…I’d go with a 3-4 kw driven by a 2 banger @ 1800 with a 120/240 head…the lithium bank creates the reserve if you run a toaster oven or we’ll pump. These are out there and are a great find….

[@mikelove9832]

Nice Work

[@MrShawn305]

That's a great machine. I have a coleman engineering one that is basically the same. Same engine and generator end, although I fried the generator end and am having trouble finding a new one :/ But I did do my injectors a while back after water got in the fuel and I took the head off while I had it down. It has 5400 hours on the clock and it still had the factory crosshatch pattern on the cylinder walls, these engines REALLY last

[@willyck948]

reading threw comments hear and saw a few suggestions for checking valve lash. Solid lifters if not adjusted can get tight then combustion beats the seats up pretty quick might be a good idea to check.

[@regsparkes6507]

Those gauges will add a nice touch to that control box set up Mike. That little Kubota diesel engine should be an economical one to operate! Good job!

[@aserta]

And stout too, take care of them and they take care of you.

[@regsparkes6507]

@@aserta Oh yes,..maintenance is the key, isn't it?

[@happyirishman4683]

Nice revamp Mike .

[@electromechanicalstuff2602]

I like my military surplus gens. Mep-803a 10kw single, split, and 3 phase settings. Uses an onan/ lister petter engine. Water cooled way overbuilt. Has 300% starting surge so AC units start right up. No glow plugs just intake heaters

[@eatont9999]

My 803a can't start inductive loads. Well pump or heat pump will kick the overload switch every time. Did you do anything specific to get yours to work?

[@ils360]

Looks like the engine I have on in my motorhome generator

[@Viperman200221]

Nice!

[@Demobius]

I have a fairly new Kubota tractor. When you turn the key on, the panel shows the glow plugs lighting for just a few seconds, then going off. If you crank the engine right after the glow plugs go off, it will fire. Trust that the engineers knew what they were doing when they made the glow plugs go off before starting. If you are concerned about hard starting in cold weather, there are anti-gel fuel additives that will boost the fuel cetane.

[@isettech]

Rental outfits often have those at auction or other sales. I bought a Genie tower that must have sat most of it's life in the back row. Weather faded unit from a desert location, full of fuel, fresh oil change, etc and just over 1100 hours on the meter. Exhaust pipe was still shiny, not rusted. Started and ran fine. Bid and spent less than $1,000 for the unit. Keep your eyes out for these. Converted from the 15A 120V convenience outlet to the 240V 30A option. Order this from the company. The water cooled units are much quieter than a construction generator.

[@bpsantech46]

Cool engine

[@jameshedrick6839]

I would love to see pt 2

[@ApeShift]

FWIW, all of the Kubota powerted Verdrmeer and Ditch Witch equipment I've worked on, the glow plugs are powered in the crank position as well. I need to find me a little broken light plant to turn into a standby generator now.

[@richb4099]

I've repaired a few of those light tower units.......Capacitor's fail sometimes. Some had the generator ends go bad. I've replaced the complete generator ends. Had to modify the generator end mount. Kubota engines are very reliable.....Used in many machines I work on.....I have replaced some springs inside the fuel injection pump on the roller lifters and it helps the poor starting.....If the springs are broken cranking fuel pressure is weak....

[@webejamn2]

Watched your Part.1 video (nice), but I don't see a Part.2. I'm curious to see how your panel worked out. Thanks

[@MitzvosGolem1]

had same unit bridge rectifier bad . Fixed ran perfectly. Never ever use either in Japanese diesel engine will break rings. Nice Had a pile from an Auction built one from a few. Many had broken rings from start fluid use.

[@willyck948]

saw project farm use wd-40 as starting aid what's your thoughts on that?

[@Mercmad]

@@willyck948 bad news, it's spraying raw oil into a cylinder which wll cause both detonation and hydraulic locking. The best thing to use is a MAPP gun or simply a burning rag on a stick. The idea being is that you heat the air charge up because a diesel compresses air to the point where it reaches 900C .If it has worn rings it wont get hot enough to fire the diesel .

[@zuestoots5176]

Either is bad news on any engine, really. if it needs a starting aid, something is wrong

[@billjenkins687]

I have the 8KW version. It came with the lights so I retained them. You never know when you might want to turn your property into daylight. I put a Schumacher trickle charger on the battery at all times. It has a huge tank at 47 gallons that I keep nearly full with fuel stabilizer. Ironically, El Paso Electric (or it's successor company) provides reliable service here in Las Cruces, NM. But I want to be ready after having experienced the Northridge Earthquake in 1994. Under load, the voltage is low at 212 VAC. No adjustment screws seen.

[@odenviking]

The ce standard is more stricter than ul so i personly would use the the led gauges. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍👍🙂

[@mjmcomputers]

Nice work, that’s a nice unit. What’s fuel consumption like? You may want to check the current on those glow plugs. The ones in my 300d draw 25 amps each.

[@AK-ck7cy]

Hello I would just like to say this. I don't know but most glow plugs have a glow plug control if u you're engine has one please replace it. Because if you don't just replacing the glow plugs it will work but it won't last long. I don't know if you have one but most diesel engines have them at least the older ones. Just wanted to let you know if you didn't know. I love your videos. I work on a lot of the military diesels and some have them but some just use a eather bottle that sprays automatically when you crank the engine. Just wanted to let you know. Love your videos. You and your family have a happy new year.

[@kimmer6]

I have a few D 905 engines and they are beautiful and reliable little machines. I even put one in a Geo Metro convertible once. This engine also powers the Onan 7500 gen sets. I welded up a steel 40 gallon fuel tank base for mine and bolted it to the floor with Chevy transmission mounts in case of a quake. It gets run for 20 minutes at 1800 watts load once a month and always starts. After 2 years of this I do not see and change in fuel level so it must be pretty economical. I like your gauge and control panel project. I added some armored 12 volt LED lights to illuminate the fuel gauge and Onan panel and used the terminal from the governor RUN solenoid to power the lights. There are 2 power wires to that solenoid...a temporary high amp one to pull the magnet in when the key is turned and one to hold the solenoid in the run position. Never switch them or the solenoid will burn up and they are not cheap. Those cheap Chinese volt, amp, and frequency meters are good. I put them everywhere along with the 12 volt outlets and USB charging outlets.

[@omarobaleed291]

D905 Come with 1500rpm or 1800rpm?

[@omarobaleed291]

And can I run a 22kva generator on it

[@kimmer6]

@@omarobaleed291 Mine was 1800 rpm. You need at least 32 horsepower to make 22KVA, the more the better for extra power during load swings. D-905 governor can be adjusted for 1500 or 1800 easily.

[@scottgibson7534]

The voltage and hertz output is contolled by a vcr board in the top box on the alternator.

[@jamesshanks2614]

The reason to turn on the glow plugs from the ignition switch is so when you start the engine it positively shuts off the glow plugs. A push button has been tried and found wanting as they are prone to stick in the on position. If it were mine I'd go back to the original design. A push button is simply an easier way to apply power to the glow plugs. Are you trying to tell us you can't hold a rotary switch in the on position for 30 seconds? Nice generator and it will as you have demonstrated make a fine economical generator for emergency home use.

[@thisman1906]

Thx for sharing :-)

[@jasonmushersee]

had a bobcat 743 with 4 cylinder kubota. at 3000 hrs it was getting hard starting had to use ether daily. changed primary & secondary air filters changed out all 4 injectors all 4 glow plugs still hard starting. bobcat came and got it with a rollback truck called me back 2 hrs later. fuel flow tested good but compression test showed 3 of 4 cylinders dead no compression. they installed a $3000 reman engine that day. read the online forums on kubota diesels people either like them or hate them

[@willyck948]

tell you low compression but not where is leaking from🤔

[@jasonmushersee]

@Mr T you fucking dumb bastard dumb bobcat TOLD ME to replace filters injectors glow plugs MONTHS BEFORE I CALLED THEM BACK. THEY SOLD IT TO MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. HOW THE FUCK DO YOU KNOW WHAT I DO?

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

I am wondering how those LED china gauges will work out .. I like them , Would like to put some on my onan !

[@aserta]

Good solid unit, would add an LED light strip instead, to the underside of the hood, i have one on mine (bout 4000ish lumens) and it makes a world of difference.

[@Mercmad]

Get a mercedes glow plug relay which fits the later W126 and W123 Model diesels. It will activate while you turn the key to acc., heat the plugs then turns off at which point you can start the engine. On really cold days you can glow it twice to get heat into the combustion chamber .

[@frankinpattaya]

Mike, I may have one at home in the tool box if you need it. Regards Frank

[@carlburgess9635]

This video is old, don't know if you will reply. This "light tower" looks like what we had in Vietnam. At Bien Hoa air base we had several in place placed around the landing field. We had one that was shot so many times that we painted a "small" Purple Cross medal on it..... A few weeks later it was KIA. Thanks for your videos. Carl

[@rogeroconnor5182]

last year in times square it was 5 below,i think this winter might be a bust for us. that is some generator,i am the same way,no power = no heat,lights,or water.....

[@jimlove4541]

Hi I think the Your site is great,Just wonder is the power from these lamp generators smothe and stable enough for home electronics?

[@josephkordinak1591]

Those light towers are great. I have a 20kw Kubota light tower I use for my back up power. 3k hours isn't anything for these things. Mine had 18k hours no blowby and runs great.

[@billjenkins687]

I want to find one of those 20kw rigs so I can run everything. 8kw is okay for now without A/C.

[@NaughtyGoatFarm]

Would be good to fit a timer on the glow plugs.

[@henryostman5740]

does this engine have a compression release? my old k tractor had one, I used it when starting in cold weather, the starter motor could really spin the engine without compression and I'd release the release and it would start immediately. also used it after oil changes. no dry starts.

[@PaulGreenwald]

1500 rpm on lighting towers here in uk are unusual current is more stable for lighting Kubota gensets are on 3000 rpm ( 50 htz ) , this is a nice reliable unit .

[@kimmer6]

They run 1800 rpm here at 60hz on the light towers.

[@xsbuilder1]

During extreme cold weather, to help make the Kubota easier to start; what about starting one of your gas gensets (easier to start in the cold?) and then putting some electric heaters around the kubota block for a coupe of hours. Would that be worth the effort?

[@XER239]

Did you wire the pigtail 4 wire non bonded neutral/ground to your main home bonded panel?

[@twofortyrida]

I have this exact unit. Would I be better off fixing and flipping it as a light plant or turn it into a tow behind power plant? I'm also not sure where to begin to check the wiring. The engine runs really well and just needs some maintenance and tuning. Thank you!

[@grmeyers]

new here, do you come right off the generator for your 120v extension to connect to your house?

[@buixote]

It would be interesting for you to invite Richrebuilds over to yours & see if your unit would re-charge his Tesla. Great stuff! Thanks!

[@Lauriemine]

Awesome stuff, did you forget a switch for the internal lights you were planning to add?

[@RileyWeston1]

The light he showed contained a switched on the light cover. He even switched it.

[@daleolson3506]

We have a kubota tractor with the 3 cylinder it starts worse than your generator,and all the glow plugs work.lol

[@Rs500ybd]

i would say you have two good glow plugs and one is defective the single white puff of Un Atomised fuel out the pipe would indicate one is defective .

[@Mike-dislike-frauditors]

I seen it I would say if you got lot of money go ahead and hold the glow plug button like you want but when the glow plug drops in the cylinder you can get valves only if your lucky bring to me so I can rebuild it for you

[@funbricknj]

18 hours with no power! hell during sandy in south jersey I was without electric for 10 days. how many gallons per hour does that generator use? being a low rpm running diesel, and water cooled generator that should last almost forever,

[@infl]

watch out, when the cold fuel hits those hot glow plugs they have a tendency to burn out and break off. especially chinesium ones

[@jetstream454]

Isn't that what normally happens starting a cold diesel?

[@briankidwell232]

What kinda fuel consumption and what rpm does it operate at

[@footplate0]

So its 8 months later and I can not find part 2. Have you lost a video somewhere?

[@eskileriksson4457]

Kind of in this video of his: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqfQhouobtufldE

[@footplate0]

@@eskileriksson4457 thanks for the reply all noted

[@evanjones2539]

For a Kubota engine, it sounds like a bag of spanners..... how many cylinders is it running on...?? 2 or 3.

[@Imwright720]

What do you add to the fuel to get it fresh ❓❓❓ They claim the new low sulfur diesel is only good 6-12 months depending on how it’s stored.

[@justinballard5117]

Could I wire up a l14-30 receptacle on one of these light towers?

[@williamvaughan1218]

Don't forget to tension that belt.

[@leozivira5503]

Hi do you still have ballasts you said they are still inside generator. If yes can I have them please. Wants fix my smc Lt90 lighting tower

[@obviouslytwo4u]

I know you are a clever and experienced guy but please please have the exhaust facing outside🙏. Low levels of carbon monoxide can cause damage with delayed or subtle side effects. Sorry to comment something like this but I just worry that's all bud

[@davidbohner2061]

Add engine block heater?

[@garlandgarrett6332]

No part 2 since Jan?

[@user-neo71665]

A UL cert only means the company paid to have one product tested once. It's better than nothing when it comes to grey market items but still about worthless. The company can build a prototype out of better materials, get the UL approval, and then just as easy cheapen it up during production.

[@rockytoady5875]

I found an old air compressor with the intake reeds in the piston itself and I can't find anything about it can anyone help me find anything about it

[@nealmaha7889]

how worried/ concerned are you about these light tower units being capacitor regulated vs AVR. did you use your TV, computer, other sensitive electronics/

[@brianmorrison9066]

I run my home off a powr gard 30d36r which is capacitor regulated. It has no trouble with anything I use. Refrigerator, well pump, hot air furnace, grow light, microwave, coal stoker, ac, x box, tv, exc. It runs about 114-117v 61-59 hz

[@infl]

dude those glow plugs are gonna burn out instantly when the cold fuel hits them

[@Multifuchs]

Where is part 2?

[@Basti_2290]

Can´t find Part 2 :(

[@gordonwilloughby8793]

Replacing the glow plugs should fix the problem.

[@gmw1964z]

What are these worth? Where do you find these in used condition?

[@badlands555]

I just bought a light plant last week with the kubota engine. About 8000 hra, $2000.00

[@thomasbardwell4151]

6k Kona small?

[@sysierius]

Where's part 2?

[@A3203503]

So, where is Pt 2?

[@W4BIN]

I would repaint it (a dark green or brown) losing the many original signs. Ron W4BIN

[@dwainloftin885]

Where get Digital Frequency Meter and Combination Volt Ant meter, and ammeter? let me know. Thanks

[@lassitc]

I use this one with my generator: www.amazon.com/P3-P4400-Electricity-Usage-Monitor/dp/B00009MDBU/ref=asc_df_B00009MDBU/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167125429392&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12575061126699501065&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011789&hvtargid=pla-306572288073&psc=1 The downside, it can only handle up to 1500 watts on it.

[@bills6093]

www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=22mm+Indicator+Voltmeter%26+Ammeter

[@markbulla1851]

I don't see a part 2 in your video list. Do you have an update from after you finished the upgrades?

[@eskileriksson4457]

Kind of in this video of his: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqfQhouobtufldE

[@jackpatteeuw9244]

I am NOT a fan of electric oil pressure and water temperature gauges. They seem to have a short life (sometimes only hours) ! Get mechanical gauges. And use copper or NiCopp tubing for the oil pressure, not the plastic stuff they give you.