Generator Engine Brands Compared

At Terex Diesel we use twelve engine brands in our generator sets: Perkins, Baudouin, Cummins, FPT Iveco, Kofo, Kubota, Quartz, Scania, SDEC, Volvo Penta, Yangdong and Yuchai. In this article we compare these brands impartially in terms of origin, power range in our line-up, service access and typical use. The power ranges are taken from our own product data; for the technical values of the engines, the data sheet of each model should be used as the reference.

Power ranges in our line-up

The table below shows the standby power range of our 50 Hz / 1,500 rpm diesel sets and the alternator options we offer with each brand.

Engine brand	Origin	Standby power range	Alternator options
Perkins	United Kingdom	10–2,500 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, Leroy-Somer, TA series
Cummins	USA	16.5–2,750 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, Leroy-Somer, TA series
Baudouin	France	20–4,125 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, TA series
FPT Iveco	Italy	22–660 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, Leroy-Somer, TA series
Kofo	China	25–550 kVA	TA series
Kubota	Japan	13–48 kVA	TA series
Quartz	—	25–400 kVA	TA series
Scania	Sweden	250–825 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, TA series
SDEC	China	76–1,100 kVA	TA series
Volvo Penta	Sweden	220–825 kVA	Stamford, Mecc Alte, TA series
Yangdong	China	11–110 kVA	TA series
Yuchai	China	33–1,375 kVA	TA series

The ranges show the smallest and largest model in our line-up; not every power step in between is available for every brand. You can find the current model list on the products page and view models side by side with the comparison tool.

The brands

Perkins. A UK-based engine manufacturer and part of the Caterpillar group. It is the brand with the most models in our line-up, covering small, medium and large outputs from 10 kVA to 2,500 kVA. Its applications range widely, from homes and workplaces to industrial facilities. Perkins generators

Cummins. A US-based engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 16.5–2,750 kVA. In the larger power steps it is considered for hospital, data centre and industrial projects. Cummins generators

Baudouin. An engine manufacturer of French origin; part of the Weichai group since 2009. With 20–4,125 kVA, it is the brand that reaches the highest power in our line-up. It is considered for projects that need very high power from a single set. Baudouin generators

FPT Iveco. Engines from the Italy-based FPT Industrial. In our line-up it covers 22–660 kVA; it is used at small and medium outputs in commercial buildings, construction sites and agricultural applications. FPT Iveco generators

Kofo. A China-based engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 25–550 kVA with four- and six-cylinder engines with mechanical or electronic governors. Kofo-engined sets are supplied with TA-series alternators, and every set is load tested at our factory before delivery. Kofo generators

Kubota. A Japanese engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 13–48 kVA with compact three- and four-cylinder engines, naturally aspirated or turbocharged. Kubota-engined sets are supplied with TA-series alternators, and every set is load tested at our factory before delivery. Kubota generators

Quartz. In our line-up it covers 25–400 kVA. Our Quartz-engined sets carry a warranty of 5 years or 3,000 operating hours; sets with other engine brands carry 2 years or 1,000 operating hours. Quartz generators Warranty outside Türkiye: 12 months or 1,000 operating hours for all engine brands.

Scania. A Sweden-based engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 250–825 kVA; it is considered for medium-to-high-output industrial and continuous-duty applications. Scania generators

SDEC. Engines from the Shanghai-based Shanghai Diesel Engine Co. In our line-up it covers 76–1,100 kVA. SDEC generators

Volvo Penta. A Sweden-based engine manufacturer. It appears in our line-up with six-cylinder engines in the 220–825 kVA range. Volvo Penta generators

Yangdong. A China-based engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 11–110 kVA; it is used in homes, workplaces and telecom applications that need low power. We also use Yangdong engines in the same power range in our marine generators. Yangdong generators

Yuchai. A China-based engine manufacturer. In our line-up it covers 33–1,375 kVA with four- and six-cylinder in-line and V12 engines with mechanical or electronic governors. Yuchai-engined sets are supplied with TA-series alternators, and every set is load tested at our factory before delivery. Yuchai generators

Service network and spare parts

When choosing an engine brand, service and parts access in the region where the set will be installed is at least as important as power. Even a brand with an international service network may not be represented with the same density in every country or region. The following questions should be asked before the quotation:

• Where is the authorised service point closest to the site?
• Are maintenance parts such as filters, belts and gaskets stocked in the region?
• How long does it take to supply parts in the event of a fault?
• Are local technicians familiar with this engine brand and its electronic control system?

You can find the parts that should be kept in stock in our article on generator spare parts, and our service offering on our generator service page.

Other criteria that determine the choice

• Power and mode of use: Will the set be a backup, or will it run for long hours? The selection is made on standby or prime power.
• Ambient conditions: The engine loses power at high temperature and altitude; we explain the calculation in power loss with temperature and altitude.
• Fuel quality: Engines with electronic fuel systems can be more sensitive to fuel cleanliness. In regions with poor fuel quality, filtration should be planned accordingly.
• Frequency: For projects that require 60 Hz, the engine’s power at 1,800 rpm is determined separately; details are in our article on the difference between 50 Hz and 60 Hz.
• Alternator: It is chosen together with the engine. We cover the alternator brands in our alternator brands comparison.
• Project specification: In some tenders and specifications the engine brand is defined in advance. In that case the choice is made with the appropriate power step of the specified brand.

Next step

When more than one brand is available at the same power, we assess the site conditions and the service situation in the region together and recommend the combination that suits you. You can estimate the power with the power calculator, and for your project, contact us.