Old Generators Made Like New Again
When Ken Warner restores an old generator, it is effectively like new. He doesn’t simply replace brushes. He tears the generators apart, strips them down to bare metal, and replaces every nut, bolt and screw. If the parts were originally plated, he will replate. His reputation for total restoration has produced some interesting challenges.
“I don’t do a lot of motorcycles, but I once redid a ł919 or 1920 Harley,” says Warner. “Nobody else could figure out how to restore it. The oldest car I’ve done was a 1922 Essex.”
In several decades of working with antiques, he has made accuracy a key feature of the business. He may even suggest replacing a generator rather than restoring it. This is especially the case if the customer is restoring a vehicle to showroom status.
“I’ll often get a request to restore a generator for a tractor and discover it isn’t the original make or model generator the tractor had when it left the factory,” says Warner. “A starter is married to the motor, but early generators often got changed out by farmers. I’ve seen Cadillac generators on tractors. What’s on it now doesn’t mean much with a 70-year old tractor.”
The tendency to swap out units is why Warner suggests sending in a picture of the generator when requesting a restoration. Include the make, model and year if possible, and he will verify if it was original.
When a difference occurs, Warner gives the customer a choice. He’ll restore what is there or get the right one for the tractor.
Even if the generator is the right one, there can be a question over color. Warner explains that up until the introduction of the 520 or 530, Deere generators were painted green.
“Many people assume that all Delco generators on Deere tractors were Delco’s classic semi-gloss black paint,” says Warner. “Green was usually the original color. If a generator was added to a B John Deere after purchase, or if it was later replaced, it may have been black.”
That said, if the customer wants his B generator painted black, Warner is happy to oblige, saying, “Ultimately, it is up to the customer.”
When it comes to old cores, Warner is a likely customer. “I›m always in the market for old cores,” he says. “A lot of John Deere and Oliver generators are hard to come by. A John Deere H starter is like finding gold.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Classic Generator, 4316 Dollar St., Midlothian, Texas 76065 (ph 817 473-1448; www.classicgenerator.com).
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Old Generators Made Like New Again FARM SHOP Tools When Ken Warner restores an old generator it is effectively like new He doesn’t simply replace brushes He tears the generators apart strips them down to bare metal and replaces every nut bolt and screw If the parts were originally plated he will replate His reputation for total restoration has produced some interesting challenges “I don’t do a lot of motorcycles but I once redid a ł919 or 1920 Harley ” says Warner “Nobody else could figure out how to restore it The oldest car I’ve done was a 1922 Essex ” In several decades of working with antiques he has made accuracy a key feature of the business He may even suggest replacing a generator rather than restoring it This is especially the case if the customer is restoring a vehicle to showroom status “I’ll often get a request to restore a generator for a tractor and discover it isn’t the original make or model generator the tractor had when it left the factory ” says Warner “A starter is married to the motor but early generators often got changed out by farmers I’ve seen Cadillac generators on tractors What’s on it now doesn’t mean much with a 70-year old tractor ” The tendency to swap out units is why Warner suggests sending in a picture of the generator when requesting a restoration Include the make model and year if possible and he will verify if it was original When a difference occurs Warner gives the customer a choice He’ll restore what is there or get the right one for the tractor Even if the generator is the right one there can be a question over color Warner explains that up until the introduction of the 520 or 530 Deere generators were painted green “Many people assume that all Delco generators on Deere tractors were Delco’s classic semi-gloss black paint ” says Warner “Green was usually the original color If a generator was added to a B John Deere after purchase or if it was later replaced it may have been black ” That said if the customer wants his B generator painted black Warner is happy to oblige saying “Ultimately it is up to the customer ” When it comes to old cores Warner is a likely customer “I›m always in the market for old cores ” he says “A lot of John Deere and Oliver generators are hard to come by A John Deere H starter is like finding gold ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Classic Generator 4316 Dollar St Midlothian Texas 76065 ph 817 473-1448; www classicgenerator com
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