Identifying the Hercules G1600 can be easy as it was one of the smaller industrial engines made by the Hercules engine company. It had been used successfully in Bandit Chippers, Daewoo forklifts, water pumps, generators and also used in CAT forklifts where it was private labelled by Caterpillar as the “CAT 1404” engine. The G1600 engine series has some important differences including whether the engine has provisions for a hydraulic pump (e.g., the ‘three gear style”) and the type of fuel (gas, LPG, or natural gas) used. Moreover, there are two different water pumps depending on the flange style used. The G1600 cylinder head and its components vary significantly between the CAT 1404 and the G1600. As a result, you can’t use CAT 1404 valve parts and hardware on a G1600 and vice versa.
All in all, when ordering parts for a Hercules G1600 it is important to know the G1600’s engine serial number. If you are not sure where to find it, first find the dipstick. The Hercules G1600 serial number is a stamped into the block near the dipstick. It is 7 digits in length beginning with 491, 490, or 493. With this number anyone still providing parts for these engines should be able to be sure to get you what you need.
