How to Break in a Generator

We've talked before about what and what not to do when you first fire up your generator, but how do you know when your generator is ready for a steady workload? Generators, like any engine, require preparation before they're ready to be used regularly, and this is critical in ensuring the life of your equipment.

How to Break in a Generator

The first and most important step in breaking in your new generator is to read the manufacturer's instruction manual. 

There are a lot of recommendations and ideas out there from different people on the internet about the best ways to break in your new engine, but always start with the infallible word of the one who made it!

We can’t stress enough the importance of reading and following your generator owner’s manual. Not only will this provide the specific information needed for your generator, but not following your owner’s manual could lead to a void in warranty because you followed the “advice” of someone else, and not the manufacturer.

After following your owner’s manual, here are a few additional tips to keep in mind when preparing for first use:

Check the recommended oil type and fill the oil reservoir. It's also a good idea to remove the spark plug and put a little oil conditioning fluid directly onto the cylinder underneath. This will make sure the cylinder is not moved without any lubrication, and will also drive out any moisture left on the cylinder walls.

Consult your owner's manual for frequency of oil changes. It may be recommended that your first oil change come sooner than normal, perhaps as soon as after the first hour of use, as your generator's engine may have some dirt or other remnants of its manufacture and shipping inside that will burn off and thicken your oil.

Add the recommended fuel to the generator's fuel tank. Be sure to follow octane recommendations when adding fuel. Remember that most gasoline purchased for cars has some amount of ethanol added, which can damage some engines depending on the type. Check your manual to see if fuel additive is required to prolong the life of your engine in this case.

Follow the instructions to start your generator and let it run for an hour with no load. As mentioned above, it is often recommended to change the oil and add oil cleaning fluid after this first hour, as it will remove any fragments left inside the engine.

Finally, never neglect regular maintenance! Properly maintaining your generator ensures you'll have the maximum life of your equipment and avoids potential power loss at critical moments. Once you've broken in your generator, always plan ahead for the power load your generator will carry and don't overload your equipment. With proper maintenance and good planning, your generator will give you a long life of reliable power.

Kubota Lowboy II Compact & Quiet Diesel Generator – GL7000TM