PGE buys industrial generators from 100kW to 2000kW+, including Caterpillar 3516, Cummins QSK60, Detroit Diesel/MTU, and Kohler units. We purchase single units and full fleet liquidations from data centers, hospitals, manufacturing plants, and construction companies across the U.S. If you have surplus power generation equipment sitting idle, call us at (818) 484-8550 for a quote — we can typically make an offer within 24 hours.
Most people who call us with a generator to sell have already tried the other routes. They listed it on a marketplace, got lowballed by scrappers, or spent three months fielding emails from tire-kickers who never showed up with a truck. That is the reality of trying to sell a 2000kW Cummins QSK60 the same way you would sell a used pickup.
Industrial generators are not commodity items. A CAT 3516DITA rated at 1850kW high voltage is worth real money to the right buyer, but finding that buyer on your own takes time, connections, and a working knowledge of what the secondary market actually pays. That is what dealers do. PGE has been buying and selling industrial power equipment out of our Santa Clarita, CA yard for years, and our whole business depends on making fair offers fast enough that sellers do not have to sit on depreciating iron.
The math is straightforward. Every month a surplus generator sits in your facility, it costs you floor space, insurance, and maintenance. If it is part of a lease-back or a decommission with a hard deadline, the clock is even tighter. Selling to a dealer like PGE means one transaction, one payment, and we handle the logistics. You are not waiting for an end user to materialize. We are the end user, or we already know who is.
If you have equipment to move, start with our sell your equipment form or call (818) 484-8550. We will tell you straight whether we are interested and what the number looks like.
We buy diesel and natural gas gensets from every major OEM. That includes Caterpillar — 3412, 3508, 3512, 3516 series — as well as Cummins QSK45, QSK50, QSK60, and the full VTA series. We regularly purchase Detroit Diesel and MTU units like the 1000DSEC and 2000 series, Kohler generators from 300kW up, and Generac industrial models. If it makes power and it is built for standby or prime applications, we want to hear about it.
Our sweet spot is 500kW to 2000kW. That range covers the bulk of what comes out of data centers, hospitals, water treatment plants, and large commercial facilities. Right now on our lot you will find units like a Cummins QSK60 DQKAB rated at 2000kW, a CAT 3516DITA at 1850kW high voltage, and a Detroit Diesel/MTU 1000DSEC at 1000kW. We bought every one of those from a seller in a situation similar to yours.
That said, we do not turn away smaller units. A CAT C15 at 500kW or a CAT 3412C at 700kW still has a strong market, especially for construction, agriculture, and smaller commercial backup applications. And we buy new surplus as well as used — if you ended up with a factory-fresh unit from a cancelled project or an over-order, that is actually an easier deal for both sides.
Beyond standalone gensets, we purchase:
Automatic transfer switches (ATS), paralleling switchgear, step-up and step-down transformers, UPS systems, load banks, and fuel tanks. If you are clearing out a complete power room, we will bid on the whole package rather than cherry-picking the generator and leaving you to deal with the ancillary equipment on your own.
We buy across the entire United States. Our yard is in Santa Clarita, just north of Los Angeles, but we have rigging and transport partners who can pick up from anywhere. We have pulled generators out of facilities in Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, and everywhere in between. Geography is not a dealbreaker.
There is no universal blue book for used generators the way there is for trucks or cars. Pricing depends on a handful of factors that we evaluate on every unit, and being transparent about those factors is the fastest way to get to a number that works for both sides.
Hours and runtime history matter more than age. A 2010 Cummins QSK60 with 200 hours on standby is worth significantly more than an identical unit with 8,000 hours on prime. We will ask for the hour meter reading and, if you have them, maintenance logs or service records. A clean maintenance history from a facility with an in-house engineer adds real value.
Make and model drive baseline pricing. Caterpillar and Cummins hold their value better than almost any other OEM in the 1000kW-plus range because parts availability and dealer support are strong worldwide. A CAT 3516 or Cummins QSK60 has a ready market that a comparable unit from a smaller manufacturer might not. That does not mean we will not buy other brands — it just means the CAT and Cummins units tend to price highest.
kW rating and voltage configuration determine the buyer pool. An 1850kW unit at 4160V high voltage appeals to a different set of end users than the same engine package at 480V. High voltage units are in particular demand right now from data center operators and utility-scale projects. Standard 480V three-phase units are the most liquid, meaning they sell fastest, which means we can pay more for them.
Enclosure and mounting play a role too. A generator on an open skid with a weatherproof enclosure and a sub-base fuel tank is more marketable than a unit that has been hard-mounted to a concrete pad inside a building for twenty years. We still buy both — dismount and rigging is part of what we do — but an easily transportable unit commands a premium.
Current market demand is the variable most sellers underestimate. The used generator market fluctuates with new equipment lead times, fuel prices, and infrastructure spending. When CAT or Cummins lead times stretch to 40+ weeks, used equipment prices spike. We track this daily, and our offers reflect real-time conditions, not some static price sheet.
| Equipment Type | Common Models We Buy | kW Range | Key Pricing Factors | Typical Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel Standby Gensets | CAT 3516, Cummins QSK60, MTU Series 4000 | 500kW - 2000kW+ | Hours, maintenance records, voltage config | 24-hr quote, 1-2 week pickup |
| Natural Gas Generators | CAT G3516, Cummins QSV91, Generac Industrial | 400kW - 2000kW | Engine hours, emissions compliance, fuel system condition | 24-hr quote, 1-2 week pickup |
| Data Center Generator Fleets | Cummins DQKAB, CAT 3516B/C, MTU 20V4000 | 1000kW - 2500kW | Fleet size, matching condition, site accessibility | 48-hr quote, custom removal schedule |
| Transfer Switches & Switchgear | ASCO 7000, Russelectric, Caterpillar ATS | 100A - 4000A | Amp rating, voltage, age, compatibility with genset | Included in generator quotes |
| New Surplus / Cancelled Projects | Any major OEM with factory warranty remaining | Any kW | Remaining warranty, packaging, documentation | 24-hr quote, expedited pickup |
We have stripped this down to the fewest steps possible because we know that if you are selling a generator, you probably have a timeline.
Start by calling us at (818) 484-8550 or filling out the form on our sell your equipment page. Tell us the make, model, kW rating, fuel type, hours, and year if you have it. Photos help, especially of the data plate, hour meter, and overall condition. If you have spec sheets or maintenance records, send those too, but do not hold up the conversation waiting for paperwork you cannot find.
We typically respond with a preliminary offer within 24 hours. That number is based on the information you provide and current market conditions. If we need to see the unit in person before finalizing — which happens on higher-value equipment or when the condition is uncertain — we will arrange an inspection at your site. We cover our own travel for inspections.
Once we agree on a price, we handle all logistics. That means coordinating rigging, crane service if needed, and flatbed or lowboy transport. For a single genset on an open skid with clear truck access, we can usually have it picked up within a week or two. Multi-unit removals from data center decommissions take more planning, but we have done enough of them to keep the schedule tight.
Payment terms are simple. We pay on pickup or by wire transfer upon confirmed receipt, depending on the deal structure. There are no 90-day net terms, no consignment arrangements, no waiting to see if we can resell it before we pay you. We buy the unit outright.
Data center decommissions are a big part of our buying operation, and they come with their own set of considerations that are worth calling out separately.
When a data center shuts down, you are usually dealing with multiple identical gensets — sometimes four, eight, or twelve matching units. A typical hyperscale facility might have a row of Cummins QSK60 DQKAB 2000kW units with low hours, all maintained on the same schedule, all in similar condition. That is actually an ideal scenario for us because matched sets are easier to market and we can price accordingly.
We have purchased full generator fleets from decommissioned facilities and we understand the constraints. There is usually a landlord or project manager pushing a hard move-out date. There are other contractors onsite pulling cable, removing UPS systems, and dismantling raised floors. Coordinating generator removal around all of that activity requires experience and a rigging crew that has done it before. We bring both.
If your decommission involves switchgear, ATS units, transformers, and other power distribution equipment alongside the generators, we will quote the entire package. Selling it all to one buyer simplifies your scope of work and usually nets a better total number than parting it out to five different companies.
For more on how decommissioning typically works, we put together a detailed guide: Data Center Decommissioning: What Happens to the Equipment. That covers the full process from facility shutdown through equipment disposition.
There are a lot of people who will tell you they buy generators. Brokers, auctioneers, scrap dealers, other equipment companies. Here is how PGE operates differently, and why it matters to you as a seller.
We are a dealer, not a broker. When we make you an offer, it is our money. We are not calling around to our Rolodex trying to find someone who will pay more than what we offered you so we can pocket the spread. We carry inventory on our lot in Santa Clarita — you can see it on our website right now. That CAT 3516DITA 1850kW high voltage unit, the Detroit Diesel/MTU 1000DSEC 1000kW, the new CAT C15 500kW — those are units we purchased from sellers and are actively marketing to buyers. We take title, we take possession, we take the risk.
We do not do auctions. Auctions have a place in the equipment world, but they favor the buyer, not the seller. You pay listing fees, buyer’s premiums eat into the final price, and you have no control over what the unit sells for on auction day. When you sell to PGE, you know the price before the generator leaves your facility.
We are accessible. Our team answers the phone. You will talk to someone who knows the difference between a QSK60 and a QSK45, who can tell you why your hour meter reading matters, and who will give you a straight answer about whether your unit is worth $15,000 or $150,000. Call (818) 484-8550 and see for yourself.
We also buy nationwide. Our physical yard is at 26764 Oak Ave in Santa Clarita, CA 91351, but our buying operation covers the entire country. We have rigging and transport relationships in every major market, and we regularly purchase equipment from the East Coast, Gulf Coast, Midwest, and everywhere else. Where the generator is sitting does not change our interest level.
We typically have a preliminary number for you within 24 hours of receiving the basic specs — make, model, kW, hours, and condition. For straightforward units like a CAT 3516 or Cummins QSK60 where we know the market well, we can often quote same-day over the phone. Call PGE at (818) 484-8550 with your data plate information and we will give you a straight answer. Larger deals involving multiple units or full data center fleets may take 48 hours because we want to factor in rigging and transport logistics before committing to a number.
Yes. We buy non-running generators regularly. The value depends on why it is not running. A Cummins DQKAB with a failed starter is a very different situation than one with a seized engine. If you know what the issue is, tell us upfront — it speeds up the quote. If you do not know, we can arrange an inspection. Non-running units are worth less than turnkey units, but they still have significant value, especially for popular platforms like the CAT 3500 series and Cummins QSK line where parts and rebuild infrastructure are strong.
We handle all logistics. PGE coordinates rigging, crane service, and transport from your location to our yard in Santa Clarita, CA or directly to the next buyer. We work with experienced heavy equipment haulers across the country and we carry the appropriate insurance for every move. Transport costs are factored into our offer, so there are no surprise deductions after the fact. If your unit is on an open skid with clear truck access, pickup is straightforward. Interior units that need to come out through a wall or down a freight elevator take more planning, but we have done plenty of those.
We look at five main factors: make and model, kW and voltage rating, hours and maintenance history, physical condition, and current market demand. A well-maintained CAT 3516DITA at 1850kW with 300 standby hours is at the top of the market. The same model with 10,000 prime hours and no service records is worth a fraction of that. We track actual sale prices across the secondary market daily, not list prices, so our offers reflect what equipment is really trading for right now. Call us at (818) 484-8550 and we will walk you through exactly how we are valuing your specific unit.
Absolutely. Our yard is at 26764 Oak Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, but we buy equipment nationwide. We have purchased generators from Texas, Virginia, Ohio, Georgia, New York, and just about everywhere else. We have rigging and transport partners in every major market, and distance does not change our interest or our pricing methodology. The only adjustment is transport cost, which we factor into the offer transparently. Some of the best deals we have done were multi-unit purchases from data centers on the East Coast.
At minimum, we need proof of ownership or authorization to sell — a bill of sale, an asset list from your company, or a letter from the property owner if you are a contractor handling a decommission. Title documents for towable units are helpful if available. Beyond that, any maintenance records, original spec sheets, or load bank test results you can provide will help us make a stronger offer. We handle the purchase agreement and bill of sale on our end. If you are unsure about documentation, call PGE at (818) 484-8550 and we will tell you exactly what we need for your situation.
Call PGE at (818) 484-8550 or submit your equipment details through our online form. We make offers within 24 hours, pay on pickup, and handle all rigging and transport logistics nationwide. No auction fees, no consignment, no waiting around.
