Bb 502d

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Has anyone used one of these machines, thinking about buying one used but never used one.  the machine looks pretty nice and only has about 1400hrs on it.LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Can't figure out how to edit the subject but the machine is Miller Big Blue 502D, I hope I put the question in the correct forum.LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:The company my brother worked for had one, and he said it would lay down some nice welds, but it would run wide open all the time and he didn't know if it was supposed to or not. More machine than they needed. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
Reply:Ok guys, no one has ran one of these big millers with the Deutz engine in it!LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:What do you intend to use it for?   That's a pretty serious high amp stick and carbon arc machine.  Unless it's the cc/cv deluxe version, it doesn't have much generator output (maybe 5KW) and no capability to run a wire feeder, except a volt-sense model on constant current, which isn't ideal for wire welding.  If you have alot of heavy equipment or structural and demolition work, the machine should be a real workhorse.  For general mobile welding and repair, it's way overkill, very big and heavy, not real fuel efficient for light work and lacking in useful features that smaller machines like a Trailblazer or Ranger have that make them better suited to multi process and generator use.  I'm saying this because I'm looking at the equipment list in your signature and I don't see anything there that would indicate you are doing the type of very heavy work that this Big Blue is best suited for.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-09-2010 at 10:09 PM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Desertrider33,My chioce of machine would be a lincoln 300D for the work that I do. I dont need a lot of gen power. I will be arc gouging for equip repair and running mostly lo-hi. I think I found a fair deal on the big miller but I am a lincoln man. I gort out of the welding business years ago be cause I make more with the machinig side of my shop, now it seems that I am going back to my old ways and doing more heavy equiptment repairs. I tried one of the miller 302D and didn't like the way it ran. I am not knocking it I just got a bad one I think.LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Sounds like that big Miller would be a good machine for your needs.   I haven't welded with one, just seen them on job sites.  A friend of mine runs a Big 40 with a CAT motor on his truck is very happy with it.  He does stick, wire and carbon arc with it.  Was it the diesel engine or the stick arc performance you were disappointed in with the 302D?  I assume that was a Big Blue 302D, not a Trailblazer 302 Diesel?MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:It was the trailblazer 302D that I tried. I was going to by a new one and my welding rep rented me one to try before I dropped the cash to buy. The little diesel ran good for a while and then started giving me trouble after about 30 min of welding. It had cold arc starts and some times the engine would rev down in the middle of a bead, then you would have to gring out and pick back up. I think the machine needed a good servicing but it left a bad taste with me for the small miller. The BB 502D that I am asking about is a bit more than I need but I don't run one 10 hours a day so fuel consumption is not that big of a concern. It would be nice to have that extra arc gouging power just in case. I believe welding machines are like guns, don't ever go to small. The reason I tried the TB302D was the small foot print that it takes up but it was bordeline on amps that I want. That is not a concern now so I will ge looking for the full size machine.Miller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:That little screaming high rpm Kubota in the Trailblazer is a lot different than the big, slow rpm Deutz in the Big Blue.  The two machines are so different from each other you can't use the experience with one to base a purchase decision on with the other.  It's like test driving a Chevette and then deciding that since you didn't like the Chevette, you won't buy this nice Corvette you thought you might like.  Different classes of machines, just because they're both Chevy's doesn't mean they're anything like each other.  I would go rent a Big Blue for a day from a local rental company, then decide if you like it.  If you do, check out and weld with the used one before you buy it.Last edited by DesertRider33; 10-11-2010 at 10:06 AM.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I can't comment on the 502 itself, but the Deutz engines I can.  I have two 500 amp Lincolns, with the 3 cylinder 912 engines, they are running SOBs, never once had a problem with them.   I've seen them in other applications, pumps and orchard equipment, got so hot burned the paint off them, they keep on running.The next generation Deutz used in welders is the 4 cylinder 2011 engine, more oil cooled than air cooled.   Never ran a welder with one, but saw and worked with plenty of other equipment that used them.   Also a great running engine, but, the oil cooler fins are very closely spaced, I have seen them plug up and burn the engine up.  Keep them clean, it'll outrun almost any other small diesel.About the comment on fuel efficiency ....   I always got better fuel mileage out of my big Lincolns than out of the 250-300 amp Miller gas machines .....
Reply:thanks for the input guys, going to check out the machine tomorrow. burn a few rods and see how the arc stability is on it.Miller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Well folks, I bought the 502D and ran a few 1/8 7018's through it just to check it out and I must say that I am very impressed with the arc performance. Like I said before, I am a Lincoln man when it comes to engine driven machines but this big miller has a nice hot arc start and maintains a beautifull puddle, I love it. It will not even break an idle untill you load it with something heavy like a carbon arc gouge. I don't have to wory about being under powered this thing is a monster!Desertrider33it is the CC/CV model and it comes with a thermal arc hefty II wire feeder new remote 100' and tons of other stuff. (pipeliner getting out of the biz.)LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Great!  Glad it worked out for you.  Hope you make lots of $$ with it!MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:lets see some pics when you get it home.thermal arc mst400, va4000 feeder, lincoln 175 min, victor torches, miller s32p feeder, air arc k4000 for work.
Reply:Pics of the welder that I bought to set up my service trailer.Miller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:Nice, looks like new.  Good find.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks,The sheet metal has been repainted and new decals put on. It is an 02 and only has a little over 1400hrs on it. I will post some pics of the service trailer it will be on as soon as I get it started. It will be for anything from minor weld repair to line boring machinery.LarryMiller XMT 304 CC/CVSyncrowave 180 SDLincoln PowerMig 255XTTermalDynamics 52Lincoln 305GComlpete machine shop to back it up
Reply:looks nicethermal arc mst400, va4000 feeder, lincoln 175 min, victor torches, miller s32p feeder, air arc k4000 for work.