KUBOTA DF972 on ebay

[TimSR2]

Here is a mint propane gas 1 liter engine with a mechanical governor, 500 dollars and no bids!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KUBOTA-DF972-GAS-LIQUID-PROPANE-ENGINE-LOW-HOURS-/320929860121?pt=BI_Generators&hash=item4ab8e90a19#ht_1037wt_1180

[BioHazard]

That's nice, too bad I already spent my cash this month on hookers and blow. 

[SteveU.]

Great find Tim!!
I have operated the natural gas "DG" version of this engine on CNG, propane and woodgas.
Real smooth sweet and quiet. You can actually talk next to the engine with it loaded at RPM without having to shout. THIS ONE WILL operate easily on the shipping legs and pallet it is that smooth.
Current production Kubota unit. This means worldwidw availbility of 1st rate parts and service info. And the equipment dealer as NOT a Kubota dealer is not selling this 196 hour used take out with any reason to keep the price jacked up to preserve new level pricing so it should go cheap.

Some one here should snap this one up for no more than $1000. to $1500 freight delivered to their door.
I already have two small diesels and four gasoline/propane engines so have no real personal need.

I give you all one day before I call my CHP woodgas equipment friend buying these new for his systems and he snaps this one up installs and system installed resells this pocketing 1-2 grand in profit.

Seriously. No one wanting a home power gaseous fuel engine to start as a base from can ever whine and complain again about non-availability and get any sympathy from me ever again.

Regards
Steve Unruh

[BioHazard]

Seriously. No one wanting a home power gaseous fuel engine to start as a base from can ever whine and complain again about non-availability and get any sympathy from me ever again.

Unfortunately it's a one time deal, if these were common for this price it would be a different story. All the good stuff pops up when I'm out of cash.  I would sure be happy if we could import an affordable chinese water cooled gas engine. As nice as a Kubota is, I'd always like to have a spare around.

[SteveU.]

Hi All
Well two bids now in on this engine. One a "new" Ebay bidder the other at 400+ items bought experienced Ebay pro (probably buying to resell for a profit).
Good luck getting this new guy/gal. I will assume you are one of us and let this play out naturally now. Pro's buying for resell profit will crap out in bidding price when they have reached a certain level. You only have to be 1-5 dollars higher.

MrBio. Something done today is worth 2X, 3X, 4X something just endlessly speculated about as a "S-o-m-e-d-a-y I gonna'". Or an, "Only if . . . "
Just like in the song; you will be left out in the cold with no lights when for you Tomorrow becomes Today, and, "So-o-o-me da-a-y never comes" (for you ever again).

Regards to All
Washington State Steve Unruh

[TimSR2]

the 400 plus guy is me!

[pressurepro]

LOL well its over $1000 now and Im done.. 

[BioHazard]

$1205, somebody got a hell of a deal!

[Carlb]

this engine did not have the LP regulator, the seller was selling it in another auction.  I believe the last number i saw on the regulator was 485.00 dollars or so.

[SteveU.]

Hmmm. Maybe. Maybe not CarlB.
Only the actual buyer #385 would be able to say for sure what is shipped. The seller has a 100% customer satisfaction rating. Don't get or maintain that by ever shortchanging anyone.
This Engine was out of a damaged working unit so would have had it's own liquid to vapor converter/regulator/lock.
The one for $499 on the seller auction is listed and pictured as a New In Box unit. Just like the spare alternator for $499.
Good luck getting anyone to bid on these. Locally a Ford propane converted vehicle priced down to scrap before it sold. So a used/usable water heated regulator/converter can be had for $20-50 here tops if you shop. I've wired in this Denso manufactured Kubota installed alternator. Nothing special there. Many used Honda, Toyota, Chrysler units would bolt up and plug in.

$1205 for the engine package. Plus $25 for palletizing. Plus ~$250 truck shipping cost puts this as $1480 bought and area delivered.
No regulator then either EBay bitch a bit, or local shop 'till you succeed for a $20 something take off used useable propane regulator.

Still delivered less than 1/2 the cost of this same model engine from any Kubota dealer.

Regards
Steve Unruh

[Carlb]

Steve,

I never said the seller was trying to shortchange anyone.  If you look at the pictures of the engine the LP regular is not there.

I can say for certain that the regulator  was not included in the auction because I asked the seller that specific question. Here is his reply



Dear carlb,

The auction is just for what is listed and
Pictured. I do have a regulator that fits the engine in a separate listing and I have the lines that I would throw in for tank connection. Since this is a dual fuel unit and I dont know which fuel someone would be using it was not included.



Dear frd67mustg,

Does this engine have all the necessary regulators and connectors to be directly connected to a LP cylinder?

[TimSR2]

I see these type of engines come up periodically on ebay. Search 'propane engine , or 'natural gas engine'. Outside of their original application (indoor only sweeper/zamboni/polisher, band bus lpu, etc.) they have very limited application and are hard to sell.  I recently saw a 1 litre nissan 'band bus lpu' engine with low hours hours and 2@100 amp alternators and 2@a/c pumps, and radiator system go for 500 dollars. Yes, also mechanically governed. 

Any propane engine can be made to run on natural gas with very minor modification to fuel system.   They are definitely out there. 

[SteveU.]

Thanks CarlB
You have always been a straight shooter.
Good question to have asked. Your answer would have then been available to any serious bidder.

Yep it will run up the costs a bit now to fuel with tank propane. The fact the buyer had lines meant it had been propane fueled.
Grrr. EBay sales. Always some detail to remember to ask gonna potentially trip you up.

Regards
Steve Unruh