About Beta Marine Diesel Engines
Beta Marine, based in England, marinizes Kubota [Japanese] industrial diesel engines. These engines have an excellent reputation for high horsepower to weight ratio, longevity, smooth running, and low emissions. They are the most technologically advanced small diesel engines available today for marine applications. The available engine range is 10 through 90 horsepower. All Beta Marine engines are fresh-water cooled and naturally aspirated [non-turbocharged]. Several makes and types of transmissions, with assorted reduction ratios, are also available to suit most any vessel. Boats displacing up to 7,500 pounds may use the Beta Ten engine of 10 horsepower.
The above replacement engines are available with Atomic 4 engine mount brackets at no additional cost. This precludes the need to greatly modify the engine bed or stringers to accommodate the new diesel engine. This saves much hassle, time, and expense. Beta Marine has the only Atomic 4 replacement engine line with this terrific feature.
Low maintenance and repair cost is another advantage of Beta Marine diesels, as engine parts are available worldwide at any Kubota farm tractor dealer. Check your yellow pages for a nearby dealer. You will pay "tractor" prices, not "Marine" parts prices. The savings can be considerable, especially when compared to Beta Marine's competition! Also, Beta Marine is happy to supply anyone with part numbers for routine maintenance parts, so you can shop locally for your best deal on Wix, Napa, or Kubota lube oil filters, fuel filters, V belts, air filter, zincs, Jabsco impellers, etc.
Beta Marine recognized the oil change problem years ago, and offers an optional oil change pump mounted on the engine and plumbed to the low point of the oil pan. To perform an oil change, just open the valve at the base of the pump, remove a small cap at the pump discharge, and operate the pump with one hand. Unlike the cheap hand pumps we are all familiar with [and disdain] the Beta Marine pump is all brass, high quality, works easily and very efficiently. I install a piece of clear hose over the discharge pipe and lead it to a sludge bucket.
To finish the oil change, just close the valve, replace the cap, change the filter, and add new oil to the engine. This setup actually makes oil changes fun!
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