5 Industries That Rely On Used Diesel Generators

It may surprise you to learn that diesel fuel is one of the main things powering much of today’s industry. Diesel-fueled vehicles account for upwards of 3% of all vehicles on the road. Diesel engines and generators as a whole are completely invaluable to a wide variety of sectors.

If you have been curious about used diesel generators, we’re here to help. Read on for five industries that rely heavily on diesel engines to stay efficient and productive.

1. High Seas Operations

One of the most prominent areas of diesel engine usage is the high seas. The vast majority of ships that fuel our commerce are run using diesel engines. 

These diesel engines are far from the ones that you’ll find in your average diesel truck, however. Instead, these engines are as tall as some small buildings. One of the largest reaches up to a staggering 13.5 meters high!

Portable diesel generators are vital on these ships as well. These can help keep electricity running, especially in the case of an emergency. If a strong storm or other such hazard hits and knocks out the power, ships don’t exactly have the ability to call a power company to come help.

Many pumps are also run by generators, specifically portable versions. As you’d expect, most of these pumps are water-resistant. A good diesel generator can sometimes make the difference in a ship staying afloat or not.

2. Medical Facilities

Medical facilities, in most cases, simply cannot afford to lose power. Loss of power for some machines can often turn into a life or death scenario quickly in a hospital. There are also consequences of losing service of temperature-controlled areas like blood samples or donated organs.

Diesel generators are frequently applied in hospitals and other medical facilities for exactly this purpose. A diesel generator can help make sure that the power stays on even if the grid goes down, ensuring that the vital equipment doesn’t fail.

Some hospitals can run on a single tank of a generator for up to eight hours. With enough fuel stored nearby, diesel generators can theoretically keep a hospital running indefinitely. This can save lives when power fails, keeping the energy running until it is properly restored.

3. Construction

Construction sites are another sector that makes enormous use of diesel engines and generators. Commonly, these sites utilized both used diesel generators and even an industrial diesel generator or two. These generators are often responsible for keeping power flowing through a construction site.

This is mostly because construction sites sometimes won’t have power installed until later on in the process. When building a new facility of some sort, construction workers don’t just have a power outlet they can walk to and utilize.

Instead, they’ll need to bring their own, which is where the diesel generators come in. These generators are transported to the site with relative ease and can help keep everything running.

The best feature of diesel generators in construction sites, when used in this way, is how flexible and portable they are. Generators are able to move to whichever part of the construction site needs them most. This is especially helpful with large-scale construction projects that may have an extended area to cover.

These diesel generators make construction significantly easier and, in many cases, simply possible. Without a portable source of power that can adjust to the worksite, construction becomes much more difficult. This lets construction workers work in relative ease until a more permanent source of power is installed.

4. Military

The military is one of the strongest consumers of diesel generators, especially in overseas applications. This is used for a wide variety of applications.

For example, soldiers in combat need to have a strong, stable source of power when deployed. Having something rugged and tough like a diesel generator means they have something they know they can trust to withstand the elements.

These generators help power the gear that soldiers use, such as rechargeable communications and flashlights. They also help with keeping field hospitals powered, which can often mean life or death for a soldier wounded in the field.

There are also applications with lighting camps and bases. The same generator might also power IT equipment like computers and other types of communication. 

Of course, they aren’t solely for our troops, especially overseas. Oftentimes soldiers will work to restore power to an area for one reason or another. Diesel generators are often the tool that helps to power a location to help the soldiers in whatever their goal is at the given time.

All in all, diesel generators are invaluable to the military. They have strong applications both domestically and overseas. A diesel generator makes a world of difference for our troops in a massive number of situations.

5. Mining and Other Utilities

One of the perks that we’ve discussed repeatedly now has been portability, and that’s definitely the case with mining. When working in a mine – or many other utilities – it’s often not possible to run a line from a nearby power plant.

In these situations, a diesel generator is all that’s needed to keep power running on the worksite. In fact, diesel generators power a great amount of the tools operating on a mining site.

This includes drillers, conveyor belts, cranes, and other heavy equipment. Large excavating machines are also powered by diesel engines and diesel generators. Mining companies will often utilize an industrial diesel generator as well.

Utilizing Used Diesel Generators

Both new and used diesel generators power much more of our world than many are aware of. These portable power supplies are invaluable to utilities, military operations, hospitals, and much more. Without diesel engines, many industries would struggle to find ways to power everything.

If you’re curious to learn more about diesel or are searching for used diesel engines for sale, feel free to contact us. You can also browse our extensive blog for more information.

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Commonly Asked Questions About Used Diesel Generators

1.How do diesel and gas-powered generators differ from one another?

Diesel generators differ from gas-powered ones because you use fuel oil instead of gasoline or propane. For usage in industrial situations where high torque is required for heavy equipment activities, they also come equipped with engines with greater torque than their gas-powered equivalents.

2.Why would I require a second-hand diesel generator?

It would be more cost-effective to invest in a used generator than a new one if you needed to replace your present one. Used diesel generators also come in handy if your generator breaks down because they are more readily available. Additionally, it makes sense to buy a used generator rather than pay the high expense of operating an engine every day if you don’t require your generator often. 

3.What are the primary differences between brand-new and second-hand generators?

New and second-hand diesel generators range significantly in price, fuel efficiency, noise levels, performance, and durability. Older versions are more appealing for those on a tight budget because of their reduced cost, but they need more care than new ones since they have fewer moving components.

New generators come with a manufacturer’s warranty and updated technology that meets modern regulations. However, you may need to wait a while before your brand-new generator gets to you, as they have significant lead times due to order specifications.

4.Are pre-owned diesel generators as reliable as brand-new ones?

Although there are certain performance and durability issues, most second-hand generators will last for many years when properly cared for, serviced, and maintained. Any used appliance you want to buy should have a history you can learn about, and you should be sure the prior owner gave it the right care.

5.How can I determine the condition of my second-hand diesel generator?

To determine how many hours have been put on a generator, inquire about its age. You may also ask about the upkeep history of the prospective buyer; was it effectively taken care of? Was the oil changed regularly? If not, it could be time to replace a few parts or stop the purchase altogether.