Generators: The Full Range Explained
Riequip sells generators across ten categories, from 1kVA portable inverter units to 2250kVA industrial diesel plant. Most buyers only need to understand three things: how the generator will be used (portable, backup, or continuous), how much power it needs to produce, and whether clean inverter power or raw conventional power fits the job.
This guide breaks down every category and brand so you can narrow the range before using the generator calculator or talking to a branch.
Who this guide is for
First-time buyers
Overwhelmed by the number of generator types and want a plain-English map of the range before narrowing down.
Farmers
Weighing up a PTO generator against a standalone diesel unit, or sizing backup for a lifestyle block.
Trades and businesses
Choosing between portable, standby and welder/generator combinations for a fixed site or multiple job sites.
The full category breakdown
| Category | kVA range | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Inverter & pure sinewave | 1-12kVA | Sensitive electronics, camping, quiet residential backup |
| Traditional / industrial | 3-14kVA | Standard commercial and construction site power |
| Portable | 1-10kVA | Equipment that needs to move between sites or locations |
| Residential | 2-10kVA | Home-focused backup for everyday domestic use |
| Standby | 3-30kVA | Permanently installed, automatic backup during outages |
| Diesel | 3-2250kVA | Long run times, durability, demanding industrial or farm use |
| Trailer-mounted diesel | 10-250kVA | Mobile, large-scale temporary power for sites and events |
| Solar autostart backup | 3-12kVA | Automatic emergency backup for homes and small businesses |
| PTO (tractor-driven) | 16-93kVA | Farms with a suitable tractor and no need for a second engine |
| Welder/generator | Varies by model | Trades needing welding power and general power from one unit |
How Riequip's brands compare
| Brand | Range | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Honda | 1-14kVA | Fuel efficiency and refinement, including electronic fuel injection on select models |
| Titan | 2-12kVA | Rugged, dependable inverter and portable generators for construction and outdoor use |
| Genmac | 5-2250kVA | Quiet operation with low harmonic distortion; uses Yanmar and Perkins engines at the industrial end |
| Anderson | 3-7kVA | Fully enclosed, silenced diesel generators with automatic voltage regulation |
| Cummins-powered | 22-110kVA | Silent enclosed canopy generators (Cummins 4B/4BT/6BT engines) for standby and prime power in construction, commercial and industrial settings |
| Kubota-powered | 20kVA | Silent enclosed canopy generators (Kubota V2203-E2BG / V2003T-E2BG engines), 3-phase or single-phase, for farms, businesses, construction sites and workshops |
Cummins-powered models range from the 22kVA VC22-5 up to the 110kVA VC110-5, all in silent enclosed canopies suited to standby and prime power use. Kubota-powered models currently comprise the 20kVA VK20-5 (3-phase) and VK20-5-1P (single-phase), both in silent enclosed canopies. Confirm current stock, pricing and any newer models with a Riequip branch or via the brand range page.
A closer look: PTO generators
PTO (power take-off) generators have no engine of their own. Instead, they connect to a tractor's PTO shaft, which drives the generator head, so the power output depends on the tractor supplying it. Riequip's Genmac Land PTO range runs from the TR30 (30kVA at 400V, 10kW at 230V) up to the TR93 (93kVA at 400V, 31kW at 230V), with the TR50, TR65 and TR80 filling the range in between. This suits farms that already run a suitable tractor and want generator capacity without maintaining a second engine, but it does mean the generator is only available when the tractor is free to run it.
When not to buy based on kVA range alone
Two generators with the same kVA rating can suit very different jobs. A 10kVA portable petrol unit and a 10kVA standby diesel unit both produce similar power, but one is designed to be moved and manually started, and the other is designed to be installed once and start itself. Matching the category to how you'll actually use the generator matters as much as matching the kVA to your load.
Limitations and alternatives
- This is a category map, not a sizing guide. For the inverter-vs-conventional decision in detail, with a decision table and use-case sizing, see Generator vs Inverter Generator: Which Should You Buy?
- Exact kVA needs vary by appliance. Motors and compressors draw a higher surge current on startup. Use the generator calculator to confirm sizing rather than relying on category ranges alone.
- Installation requirements differ. Standby and solar autostart systems typically need an electrician for transfer switch wiring; portable and PTO generators do not.
Supporting evidence
- Category types, kVA ranges and descriptions are drawn from Riequip's current generator range at riequip.co.nz/collections/generators.
- Brand positioning is drawn from Riequip's brand range page at riequip.co.nz/collections/generators-by-brand.
- PTO generator specifications (Genmac Land TR30-TR93) are drawn from the current PTO generator listings on riequip.co.nz.
- Cummins-powered generator models and specifications are drawn from riequip.co.nz/collections/cummins-diesel-powered-generators.
- Kubota-powered generator models and specifications (VK20-5, VK20-5-1P) are drawn from riequip.co.nz/collections/kubota-powered-diesel-generators.
- Confirm current stock, pricing and specifications with a Riequip branch before purchasing, as these are subject to change.
Frequently asked questions
- What generator categories does Riequip sell?
- Riequip's range spans inverter and pure sinewave generators, traditional/industrial generators, portable generators, residential and standby generators, diesel generators, trailer-mounted diesel generators, solar autostart backup generators, PTO (tractor-driven) generators, and welder/generators, across brands including Honda, Titan, Genmac, Anderson, Cummins-powered and Kubota-powered models.
- What is a PTO generator?
- A PTO (power take-off) generator has no engine of its own. It connects to a tractor's PTO shaft, which drives the generator head, so power output depends on the tractor supplying it. Riequip's Genmac Land PTO range spans 30kVA to 93kVA, making it suited to farms that already run a suitable tractor and want generator capacity without a second engine to maintain.
- What is the difference between a standby generator and a portable generator?
- A standby generator is permanently installed and wired into a property, typically with an automatic transfer switch so it starts on its own during an outage. A portable generator is moved to where it's needed and connected manually, with no permanent installation. Standby generators suit properties wanting hands-off backup; portable generators suit intermittent, mobile or budget-conscious use.
- Which generator brand should I choose?
- It depends on the job. Honda is known for fuel efficiency and refinement in the 1-14kVA range. Titan covers a similar 2-12kVA range with a focus on rugged, dependable inverter and portable models. Genmac spans from small inverter units right up to 2250kVA industrial diesel generators, using engines from Yanmar and Perkins, and is built for durability and low harmonic distortion. Anderson specialises in fully enclosed, silenced diesel generators from 3-7kVA. Cummins-powered models run from 22kVA to 110kVA in silent enclosed canopies for standby and prime power use. Kubota-powered models are currently offered as 20kVA silent enclosed units in both three-phase and single-phase versions, for backup and prime power on farms, businesses, construction sites and workshops.