Harbor Freight Generators

[purpleknif]

So after waiting about 6 weeks I got a 6500/5000 watt generator from Harbor Freight. Got it home, topped off the oil and it wouldn't pull. Was afraid I was gonna break the handle or the rope. OK, maybe TDC. Took out the spark plug. Still won't pull, Took it back. Price was right @ $469 but only if it works. Anyone have any experience with these? Are they any good?
Also, found "Generators Direct" online. They have a 4000 watt electric start unit that was $599 now with an "instant rebate" $449. If it sounds too good to be true...
Anyone have any experience with this outfit?

Thanks

 

[Philjoe5]

Nowadays many small (less than 5000 watt) generators have engines made by a Chinese firm called RATO. This includes the Harbor Freight, Coleman Powermate, and a number of other generic branded generators. For backup emergency power most of them get decent reviews. A number of them went 200+ hours during the hurricane Sandy aftermath. How much further they’d go is a question, at least to me.

The other half of the generator is the electrical component, the head. Some of the more costly ones use a Pramac head. I'm not sure what Harbor Freight uses.

They all seem to cost roughly $0.10 USD per watt unless you’re getting bargain basement stuff like Harbor Freight. But then, as you experienced it’s a Harbor Freight so save the sales slip.

Compared to any of the Briggs, Yamaha, or Honda powered ones these types of power units are about 1/3 the price. In my area of the country, 200 hr of use is a lot of power failures. So I think my 3500 watt Powermate should be adequate and it cost $400. I've only run it a few hours to test it, but the output voltage is as stable as my utility company.


Check the product reviews for the 4000 watt Harbor Freight unit on their site. Plenty of satisfied customers.


Phil

 

[nemoc]

I have a HF 5500 for a few years and have had no problems with it. It has a 13 HP Robin \ Subaru engine. The problem you describe happened to me many years ago with a mower. It was shipped dry and I could not budge it. After I got some oil in the cylinder all was well. I still have that 13 year old mower. You might try a little of lite oil in the spark plug hole.

Craig

 

[mcostello]

A friend bought a small portable one with the handle on top of the gasoline tank. It leaked gas badly, returned it and looked the stock over and that size was all the same. He moved up in size and got another design with no problems.