Size
Output is rated in kW or kVA. Larger sets have bigger engines and more copper, but they're also harder to move and have a smaller pool of buyers.
Any kWRunning or not
Home / Diesel generators
Diesel gensets
We Buy Diesel Generators, Small to Large
Open skid or enclosed, standby or prime power, from a small backup set to a big multi-cylinder plant engine.
Free offer · No obligation
Get your generator offer
Five lines. We call back with a number.
- Standby and prime power
- Open skid or enclosed
- Base tank or separate
Fastest way to a firm number
- Nameplate photokW, voltage and serial in one shot.
- Control panelInclude the hour meter if there is one.
- The route outGate, stairs, roof hatch or driveway.
Where they come from
The usual sellers
Commercial buildings
Sets replaced during an upgrade or at a lease end.
Contractors
Prime power units after a long project.
Industrial sites
Plants retiring older backup capacity.
Estates and farms
A set nobody knows how to run anymore.
What we look at
What sets a diesel's number
- Engine make and model.
- kW rating from the nameplate.
- Hours on the meter, if it works.
- Alternator: copper wound or not.
- Enclosure and tank: condition and size.
Generator sitting idle? Get a number today.
Worth knowing
The diesel bylaw
In Metro Vancouver, non-road diesel engines of 25 hp or more, generators included, fall under a registration bylaw. Emergency-only standby sets are exempt from registering. What that means when you sell.
Diesel generators in depth
What sets a diesel generator's value
Diesel sets are the most common generators we buy, from small towables to large standby units.
Engine make
Diesel generators commonly use Cummins, Caterpillar, Perkins, John Deere, Volvo or Detroit engines. Engine make and model affect parts demand.
Emissions tier
Newer engines meet stricter emissions tiers. In Metro Vancouver, older non-standby diesels face more limits under Bylaw 1329, which affects their value locally.
Load bank tested
If the set was load bank tested recently, the results show it can carry its rated load. That helps the value.
Wet stacking
Diesel sets that run lightly loaded for years can build up unburned fuel in the exhaust. It's common in standby units and doesn't stop a sale.
Controls
Digital controllers and paralleling gear add value if they work. Tell us what controller is fitted.
Questions
Common questions
Do you buy diesel generators with high hours?
Yes. High hours lower the number but don't rule a set out.
What if the engine is seized?
We still buy it. The alternator, block and enclosure carry value on their own.
Do you buy open skid sets with no enclosure?
Yes. Open sets are often easier to load.