Need Advice on Ruggerini MD190...should I buy?

[albertaphil]

Hi there grease burners. I have an opportunity to buy a welder/generator powered by a Ruggerini MD190 engine for $400 (Canadian). That seems pretty cheap to me. I know that the size specs are the same for the MD190 and MD191, but the MD191 runs at 3600rpm instead of 3000 for the 190. Consecquently, the 190 makes about 3hp less than the 191 and of course has a smaller powerband.

Does anyone out there know what the mechanical differences are between the MD 190 and MD191? Can I run an MD190 up to 3600rpm with a governor adjustment, or will something blow up? Doesn't Sam's VF have an MD191...perhaps he know? Thanks for any info, gents.

Cheers,
Philip

[Stuart]

Hi. I'm using the 191 which is a nice engine and it has a keyway on the drive shaft. This is always better than the taper shaft used, I think, mainly for generators. I've not had any need to go messing with the guvernor. Maybe you could download the manual from the link in the manual section to help.

[sbrumby]

I have a few ruggerini engines but mine are all RD engines not MD. I think the only difference is govenor adjustment, 3000 & 3600rpm is only set for generators for 50htz or60htz. If it is on a generator I would bet it has a tappered shaft. If it has, see if you can get the gen as well. Cut about 6" off the shaft of the gen. This can then be turned down to a regular size for a tapper lock pulley. Glue on with suitable compound and fasten with center bolt. While you are at it weld on a small piece of steel on the shaft to signal a prox switch or P E C to signal an electrical tacho.

[albertaphil]

Thanks for the advice, guys.

Sam, I'm not familiar with what a taper lock pulley is. Are you saying that I would leave a portion of the generator shaft fixed to the crankshaft, but turn it down to a straight bore shaft of the right size for the pulley I need (like 1 1/8")?

Phil

[Sphere]

Taperlock is a two piece system, where one item clamps to the axle and yields a tapered surface to clamp something to.

http://images.google.com/images?hl=nl&s ... 2&aq=f&oq=

[albertaphil]

Thanks, sphere!

P