Should I Build it?

I ended up buy the 18 HP Briggs Propane unit. I know a lot folks thought I should have gone bigger and you guys might end saying say I told you so  

What do you guys think abut running your blower up to 95% of it max recommended RPMs? The roots 45 max is 3600.

Hey Andy you know what's cool about your hybrid set up? All of the ponies on your engine is being used to power the blower. You can PM me the link.

3600 is fine to run a blower at. That is what they are made to do. You will need to run the motor at 3600 as well to keep up with the hp load needed to run that blower at full speed. With the smaller motor you should keep your vacuum to 13inches to keep it from bogging down to much under full pressure. What did the motor end up running you?

I'm going to over drive the blower.

The motor was only 900.00

That's a hell of a deal where did you pick it up from?

Oh and on the pulley topic you wont be able to run your pump off the 5.65 sheave unless you put at 11.30 pulley on the pump because your pump wants to run at approximately half the speed of your motor.

Whats the recommended RPM for the Cat 3CP Fuzz?

Ebay on the engine

Most pumps are 1500 to 1750, but I would check the specs on their Web site.

Also with that small of a motor I would not overdrive the blower. You lose a lot of hp the slower you run that motor. 18hp is assuming your running it at the 3600 its governed for. You can always try it and if it doesn't work out, your only out a sheave and the time to swap it out. I have always run all my units at 3600 rpm motor and blower and got over 3500 hours out of them no problem. Im sure they are still out there running today to the folks I sold them to.

Found it. Cat 3cp is 1725.

OK 1725 RPM got to slow it down 11.30 thanks.

Assuming your running your motor at 3450 rpm. Then yes. Or buy a smaller pulley to work with the one that is already on your pump. That will probably be a lot cheaper and easier to install. An 11 inch pulley would be huge on a pump

Yeah I have an 8" on my 290. At least I know they'll be plenty of room.

That might be they way to go cause then I won't have to remove the clutch

Mo
Does the blower have dual shafts. If so then think about using a coupler for direct drive one too one RPM's and drive your pump off the blower. Sometimes a coupler makes sense.

Go with as small a pulley as you can on the drive side for the pump. That will let you use a smaller pulley on the pump, but a larger pulley will not cause any pump problems as long as you don't over tighten the belt.

Here is a link to help you figure this out Mo
http://www.culvermotor.com/Engineering-Formulas/Pulley-and-RPM-Calculator.html

It only has one shaft Ace. Really didn't want to go with a coupler.

I was using a different calculator Larry. I'll check that one out.

I spoke to Cat this morning about over driving the pump. You could do it but not recommended. The only negative is the seals will wear out faster If you over drive the pump the most important factor is that use the appropriate flow he gave me this formula

2220 pump rpm x 4.25 / 1725 recommended rpm = 5.35 recommended GPM and to use both water inlets of the pump

I know there a couple guys doing this for the purposes of dual wanding but not sure if I want to go that route.  I wasn't looking forward the pump side of this build:D

The engine should be delivered today. Will a motorcycle have enough cranking power to run a an 18 Hp Briggs for testing purposes? It's brand new I bought it for my 750 Honda Shadow also a vtwin.

You mean the battery? Yes that should work fine.

I think I screwed up buying this propane engine. It still needs a lot parts to get it running. I took it to to my local briggs service center and they didn't want to touch it, something about liability issues with propane engines. The Small Engine Warehouse is getting a list and cost of the parts I'm going to need but If I can't get the engine serviced here locally I may as well send it back. What do yo guys think?

I'm thinking about getting this one instead http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/GX620K1QYF-R2.html

Here's a video of the engine I may send back

If you re-read your post, Mo, I think you already found your answer. If there is nobody local willing to touch it, you would be on your own if you keep it. I don't know what your mechanical skill level is, but I think I would leave the propane engine behind.

l agree send it back. If you have no one who is local who can service or help you if things go bad it is not worth the risk.

Mo wrote:I think I screwed up buying this propane engine. It still needs a lot parts to get it running. I took it to to my local briggs service center and they didn't want to touch it, something about liability issues with propane engines. The Small Engine Warehouse is getting a list and cost of the parts I'm going to need but If I can't get the engine serviced here locally I may as well send it back. What do yo guys think?

I'm thinking about getting this one instead http://www.smallenginewarehouse.com/GX620K1QYF-R2.html

Mo, just a heads up...............

I've done A Lot of research on engines in the last month, because I need to replace my TM engine, and actually just ordered it today!  
I was looking at the Honda because the price was attractive, but......

I was specifically told to steer clear of the Honda V-twins by a local guy that has a lot of experience working on and selling these small engines. I trust what this guy says, because of his long time experience working on them............
He told me the smaller Honda's single cyl are bullet proof, and are what you expect from a Honda, but also said when it comes to the larger V-twin models they are very problematic, and he suggested I go with a Kohler for the TM application, for reliability.

If you notice most all of the TM manufactures are using Kohlers now, and very few B&S or Honda............actually I'm not sure if any of them are using the Honda!?

This is the engine I just bought, much bigger than what I think you need, but I'm pretty sure the 18 hp Command Pro's are competitively priced with the Honda's.  OPE Engines is where I just bought mine, there prices are great, and shipping is free!  

Take a look...............

http://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=781_394_423&products_id=13131

You would have to call them like I did to find the right one that meets your needs/specs......
Here's a 20hp.........

http://www.kohler-engine-parts.opeengines.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=781_394&products_id=11280

Thanks for the heads up Davey I'll steer clear of that Honda.

It just kind of surprising that the shop would have a nice big sign advertising that they are a Briggs and Stratton service provider and then not want to service one of their engines:confused: 

I have no experience with small engines so I sent it back today

Good information there Davey, that was a great link!

Mo, you have made the right choice...maybe the B&S sign just came with the building? 

That was an 80.00 mistake and I'm sure there's many more to come:D

Davey. Did you buy the 25 HP Kohler? How much was the exxhaust?