Some Kubota EA300 and Z482 Genset plans

[Henry W]

I found these on the web. Some of you might be interested in them.

Henry

[BruceM]

Hwew,  I sure like this idea of the generator head under the engine; it's a good space saver, and with a nice steel frame would get the engine up to a nice working height for service and oil changes.  Much better for old backs. Sweet!

[highwater]

Apparently the patent was awarded on the concept of the gen head mounting being underneath the prime mover??
I would say the US patent office is ahead a couple thousand at the least.

Randall

[XYZER]

I like the stacking method also. And you could just sit on a stool and change the oil I can't remember if my Z482 has that nice pan on it .....It must not.....I would remember that.....now I gotta go look...  

[BruceM]

I don't think the patent would hold up to any kind of challenge, but it is a nice idea. 

[mobile_bob]

i too have been a strong proponent of the vertical design.

my thinking is, of the two units which will need frequent and ongoing maintenance, engine or generator?

engine of course, so put it on top where it is easy to work on

that leaves the generator head on the bottom, and if designed properly a small auto floor jack could be modified with a cradle
to capture and secure the head for removal for service quite easily and inexpensively

once out of the frame the jack could then be raised to a sufficient height to make service to the generator head a sit down
and get comfortable proposition.

also with proper engineering the use of resilient mounts one can then use the generator head as a pendulum mass to mitigate
the rocking moment of the engine, making for a very stable platform in my opinion.

i would suspect that an old front loading clothes drier case could contain the whole unit if one wanted to do that too.

its hard to imagine how that patent would be enforceable

bob g