Posted: 6/7/2007 8:45:09 AM EDT
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I know what everyone is going to say, Honda. I can't afford a Honda generator for the size I need. Here is my second option, a Troy-Bilt 5000 watt electric start generator for $739.00. Any experience with these out there? www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=47345-348-30343&lpage=none |
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I have one, haven't used it much though. For the price you can't go wrong, it should run a lot of shit. Some people say Briggs isn't what it used to be, but like I said haven't had any problems thus far. Mine is mainly for backup if the juice goes out as we live in the boondocks, I also use it around the farm from time to time. If I remember right it will burn about 10gal a day, give or take. ETA: I ordered mine from Amazon. The first one had shipping damage like a mofo, they sent another one out within a week or two. I ended up getting the shaft on shipping it back but it was only $50. |
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I have the Troy-Bilt 5500w and it's done fine by me so far. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=45428-348-30245&lpage=none It's one year old and I bought it used off of Craigslist for $400.00 (it retails for $699.00). You may want to try Craigslist, sometimes you can get a really good deal from there. Troy-Bilt tends to make good stuff for what it's worth. |
| I picked up the Coleman Powermate the same size at HD for much less. The only difference I saw was the TB has electric start. That'd be nice but not worth $200 imho. It lists for $600 but HD is taking off 7.5% (roughly equal to the normal sales tax rate) so it's $554. I also had a 10% coupon. |
I got one as well. I like the thing a lot. |
I was just reading about it. My wife just got a 10% off coupon. So that would be 10%+7.5%+tax free. |
With the coupon I picked up the generator, 4 5-gal cans, and a carbon monoxide detector for $538. That's $16 less than the sale price on the generator and $62 off the regular price. The Guardian is nice (looked at them again last night) but I do like the portability of the Powermate. I see it as something I can take out for Field Day and other remote operations. How much LP do you keep on hand and how long will it run the generator? Which model is that also? |
I work for Lowe's- sell Troy Built generators all day. First, the 5500 watt unit is not electric start, it is pull start and it has an overhead cam briggs engine which is heads above the typical L head lawnmower engine. I have one myself- works great. Run fuel stabilizer in it, use synthetic oil and remember to "exercise" it about every other week. Mine starts first easy pull every time even in the dead of winter. Also has a 2 year parts & labor warranty. 
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They ARE electric start. I just looked an hour ago at lowes. The old model is pull start. |
+1 You're Fired! 
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Troy-Bilt's generators are made by the Generac division of Briggs & Stratton Power Products Group (which purchased part of Generac several years ago). They're decent quality generators. Parts are also available through B&S. |