Ranger 250 vs Ranger GXT...

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Guys any of you have experience with either of these two machines?  I am looking at purchasing one of the two, and haven't had much luck making a decision.  My welding supplier has two of each ordered, and I will be buying one or the other when they get here.  I am leaning toward the GXT because of the ability to hook the lincoln tig module to it and weld aluminum in the field. (which I need the ability to do.)  However I have considered a spool gun, and am not sure what it would take to hook a spool gun to the GXT or the Ranger 250.  I know the GXT has the 6 pin plug on it for a remote for amptrol,  but I noticed that the 250 has two plugs, but wasn't sure as to what the second one was for.   I figured I would come out cheaper buying the tig module than buying a spool gun, and control box.   Just curious to hear from the ones of you who have experience with the machines.  thanks for your input.  ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I have the 250. Whattamachine!  The two plugs are a 6 and 14 pin plug.  They do similar things.  I can plug my LN9-GMA into the 14 pin plug and my foot pedal into the 6 pin.  Ranger 250 has arc force and inductance.  I like both features.  Its a whole different balll game than my last machine a Lincoln G7 ( similar to the bobcat)  Took me 2 weeks to get the hang of the new machine.  It IS better, just took a while to figure it out.  The 250 will gouge all day with 3/16".  1/4 is right on the edge.  I use the 3/16" at 220 amps with the arc force turned all the way up.  I also bought the 100' remote so I can do different procedures with the LN-25.  I took my 3G with the 250/LN-25 instead of the wirematic 250 I have in my shop because they run better for me.  The 250 burns less fuel than my G7 did with the Onan engine.I know nothing about the GXT.  Never used one.  Once I bought the ranger 250, I HAD to buy a arcmaster 185 so I could do aluminum.  It plugs into the ranger for power.I do know the box to hook up my spoolgun to the ranger 250 is about 6 bills.Going to the lincoln website to look at the GXT.  It it doesn't have chopper technology, I would stay with the ranger 250.Have a ball, my ranger gave me a woody.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:OK, I just went the Lincoln website.  GXT is a 23 hp that has taps instead of chopper technology.  I highly recomend you use a ranger 250 or 305 to check out how it welds. If you look at the specs, you will see the ranger 250 has a higher rated output.  The manuals are available at the lincoln website.  Under recomended tig options, it says "tig module".  You don't need one of these for DC tig with the ranger 250.  Just a torch and if you want a foot pedal.  The ranger 250 has lift start tig which does not contaminate the tungston.  DC only.From what I see, no arc force or inductance control.  Its a tough decision, look at em close.  Manuals can be downloaded from the lincoln website.Swing by and take mine for a test drive DavidCheck these links outhttp://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.asp?p=45349http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...et.asp?p=45355The GXT is rated 25 volts @ 250 amps.Ranger 250 rated 28 volts @ 250 amps, 27 volts @ 275 amps.Since I bought mine last fall, the have upped the HP to 23.  Mine is 20.Last edited by David R; 05-13-2007 at 08:46 PM.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I know there is a slight difference in power output.  The one thing that attracts me to the GXT is the AC output for running tig on Aluminum.  I do very little DC tig only AC.  As of right now I have a lincoln 175 squarewave mounted on a trailer that i power by my welder, but power wise it just isn't enough for the work I do.  Most of the Aluminum I do is on Tanks.  5/16"-3/16"  usually.  I was trying to get away from hauling an extra machine around and increase my thickness capacity at the same time.  I have welded with the 305 and I did like it.  My supplier said as soon as the GXT gets here  he would set it up for me to run and see what I thought.  I guess that will be the deciding factor.  Thanks for your input.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I needed to be able to TIG aluminum, steel, and stainless steel with a mobile unit.  I spent hours trying to determine which way to go.  I bought a Ranger 10,000 before the GXT came out, and I'm very happy with it.  As a side note, I ran it for five days after hurricane Ivan and powered everything in my house.  I mounted the Tig module on the trailer with the docking plate so I could move it down range when needed.  I have no use for air cooled Tig torches so I went with a water-cooled aircraft torch (weld-craft 20).  Lincoln makes a portable cooler (cool-arc 40) that works really well on the road.  I mounted it on a hinged frame so I could stand it up when in use.  I put quick disconnects on everything so I could quickly convert to Tig or Stick in minutes.  If I had it to do over again, I would go with the GXT.  The Ranger 250 is a great machine, but I needed the AC output.  I thought I would have trouble without the remote capability, but it turns out that I can control the weld with just the on/off switch mounted on the torch.  With the GXT you can buy the remote cable and adjust the heat at the Tig modle.  That helps when you are repairing aluminum railings on the second floor.  One more note about the cooler, it was designed to support a water-cooled MIG gun so it operates at 60 psi.  In the middle of a job the weld-craft torch blew up and the water supply line kept coming off.  I k-balled the diamond-back off of my Sync-250 and ordered another.  It's been on the trailer ever since.
Reply:any reason not to go blue?  if i get a lincoln I had decided to go with the 305G. If I go blue I am looking at the trailblazer 302 but I still cant make up my mind. AC was something I havent even thought about since I do not have the capability to do this with my old machine.  Man I need to move into the 21st centry. Your thread has helped me realize that I almost made a mistake thank you.Last edited by usmcgremlin; 05-16-2007 at 07:23 PM.63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:They are very similar. There are some threads here where I've detailed all the factory specified slight differences with the advantage to Miller in slightly less noise and much better aux. power available while welding.  I can't remember the Lincoln advantage at this particular time, but I would not consider it an inferior unit at all, unless maximum aux. power while welding is the difference.I own a TB301G and have been very happy with it.
Reply:Well guys I placed my order for a GXT today!!!USMCGREMLIN, I wanted to go with the 305G myself, but for my business I really need the AC output.  I have been on 5 calls this week already to weld up split Aluminum pipe, and that means I have to go to the shop load up my small tig machine and run it off the welder.   The GXT allows me the easiest cheapest way to get a good DC stick welder as well as a true portable tig machine (With the extra tig module)As I understand it the Lincoln GXT has 11,000watts aux power, which is the most in its class.  The bobcat would be miller's comparable machine and the GXT beats it, and the 250 equals it in aux power.  Honestly the main reason I didn't go with a miller was I felt the Lincoln was a better machine after running the two.  I ran the GXT today and either of the Lincolns at max amps did not sound to load the engine as hard as the miller I ran a few days ago, and I just liked the arc characteristics of the GXT over the bobcat.  Mainly, for what I am needing the Lincoln's are setup better than the millers.  For example the Miller bobcat has no 6 or 14 pin plugs.  With the GXT I can actually run a foot pedal to control amperage for tig welding, or a remote amperage control to change the machine at a distance.   I now own  miller bobcats and have been satisfied with them.  I guess its kind of like the chevy/ford debate.  Some of us welders are blue guys, some are red......   I will say the extra features is what really sold me on this machine over the bobcat.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Sounds like a MUCH better machine than a Bobcat.  I don't know the GXT, but I know the Bobcat sucks when it comes to arc quality, after running Trailblazers.What engine did you get?
Reply:Big note here.  I bought the ranger 250 with the koler. Kholer.  Idunno.The book sez change the oil in 5 hours.  They are NOT kidding.Its break in oil and sure looked like crap when I changed it at 5 hours.On MY welder, the choke cable was hard as can be to pull out and push in.  I took the wire completly out.  It was all kinked.  I straightened it, shot a bunch of oil in the liner and put it back in.  What a difference.  Smooth as silk.Enjoy your new machine.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Thanks David for the things to keep an eye out for.  The machine I ran today belonged to another fabrication company that does business with my supplier as well.  They let me come out and play with it a while.  I was impressed to say the least.  The engine is a 23hp Kohler.  Mac, I agree a good friend of mine bought a trailblazer the same time I bought my bobcats, and after I ran his machine I have never liked the bobcats much since.  I should have it in a week or so, I'll let everyone know how it does. ~JacksonThanks for the inputI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:sorry for not getting back thanks for the info............. as of lately where do you stand did you get the GXT? I was almost convinced on the GXT but the Trailblazer 302 is a strong fight i still cant decide. I am back to 50/5063' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:I did go ahead and purchase the GXT.  The trailblazer is a very nice machine, but for right now a touch out of my price range.  Infact the GXT its still sitting in the box in my shop.  I have been flooded for the past two weeks and just not had time to stop and change over everything on the service truck.  As soon as i do I will report back, with what I find.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Geez, didn't you know every day you don't use a new welder, its a sin?  David    Congrats on your new purchase.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:I have two GXT Rangers. One on my service truck and the other in the shop. We compared them back to back with a Miller bobcat and the Lincoln just welds a lot better. Engine drives in general are a lot smother anyway. I am interested in spoolguns for doing aluminum on my GXT. Anyone have any info on this?? Thanks.
Reply:Bodyguard, I am not sure on the spool gun, but I opted for the tig module to do my aluminum.  David, I know... I know....  only problem is I have to move most of the stuff on my truck around to mount it. So its not a simple take one off bolt new one on.  Hopefully next week things will give us a break and we can see what it will do.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:I have the opposite problem.  My rig is a trailer I built to tow behind an F150.  Just today I hope to pick up my NEW 1993 diesel F250 4wd with an aluminum flat bed.  I have to move everything onto the truck and I have a few jobs that I am holding off until I get everything up and together.  I have to build new racks for the tanks. mount the welder, compressor and boxes to hold all the stuff.My ranger 250 is going to look nice on the back of that red ford. DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:bodyguard:  the bobcat is nice but not big enough. I do a good bit of pipe from time to time. I am looking at the trailblazer 302.  The GXT would just fit having 250 amp output. my local guy can get me the GXT for 3250.00 and the 302 for 3740.00. Hammack thanks for shedding some light of the subject. let me know what you think of the GXT it is still an option.  The battle that is going on in my head between these two machines is killing me.  THANKS63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:Originally Posted by usmcgremlinbodyguard:  the bobcat is nice but not big enough. I do a good bit of pipe from time to time. I am looking at the trailblazer 302.  The GXT would just fit having 250 amp output. my local guy can get me the GXT for 3250.00 and the 302 for 3740.00. Hammack thanks for shedding some light of the subject. let me know what you think of the GXT it is still an option.  The battle that is going on in my head between these two machines is killing me.  THANKS
Reply:USMC, I agree with tresi, in your situation I would think that the trailblazer is a better machine compared to the GXT if you want to keep your AC output.  If AC is not a necessity as it is for what I am trying to do then the 305 is a FINE machine in my opinion.  Most of my work is repair and its mainly in the field.  I have a service truck as well as a fully setup trailer, and one small portable on a rack for a forklift.  I work out of the truck, and have a part time guy who uses the trailer.  My plan is to setup the GXT on my service truck, and then as soon as I can sell my two older machines I will look at upgrading to a Ranger 305 or trailblazer, and then move the GXT to my welding trailer.   I have been running the older Bobcat 225, and had good luck, but its time to upgrade.  So I am really looking at changing out my entire setup rather than just one machine.  So my situation is a tad different from yours.   If I only had one machine to buy then my decision very well may have been the trailblazer.tresi, What are you all welding you can't do with the ranger 10,000?  I am running 1/2"-1.5" plate daily with my bobcat 225 on equipment, and never had much trouble. I will admit that a larger machine would be nice at times, but nothing I ever had to call another welder in for.    ~JacksonI'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:tresi the 305 does not have AC output and that i need. i almost was dead set on the 305 until hammack pointed that out for me. i would have made a big mistake.  i try not to take on to big of jobs mainly due to the times that i weld. I own After 5 Welding. I only weld after work and on weekends. It is just about all field work.63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:Originally Posted by usmcgremlintresi the 305 does not have AC output and that i need. i almost was dead set on the 305 until hammack pointed that out for me. i would have made a big mistake.  i try not to take on to big of jobs mainly due to the times that i weld. I own After 5 Welding. I only weld after work and on weekends. It is just about all field work.
Reply:thats just generator output i need ac welding output63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs
Reply:Originally Posted by usmcgremlinthats just generator output i need ac welding output
Reply:lol  not a problem the 305 was my first choice then jackson pointed out that it did not have AC output then i did some looking.  he was rite..63' Lincoln SA200 2008 miller trailblazer 302fibre-metal pipelinermiller camo BWEand all the guns and ammo a growin boy needs