Trailblazer OLD Vs. NEW

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I'm in the market for an engine driven. I've done plenty of reading over the past year but I'm looking for opinions of the weldor's that use them. I would like to have full remote capabilities on the machine itself, so leaning towards a Trailblazer. I also wouldn't mind the ability to run a plasma cutter or and other machines off of its generator. In what ways in a newer lets say Trailblazer 302 superior to the older 250g etc.? And how much can you really run off of the older 4000w Trailblazers? Thanks in advance!
Reply:Tb 302s are great machines. I have 3, oldest has 4000 some hours and now its a backup machine after having a rear main seal repaired. The other 2 range from 600 to 1500 hrs and no problems yet. (knock on wood) one of my buddies has a new TB325 and swears it will do the same as an SA200. He should know, He was an SA200 guy for 30 years. And I run 240v accessories all the time on mine, Plasma, Dynasty 200, Etc. Very versatile machines. The older TBs... Im not sure there.
Reply:I don't know anything about the newer Trailblazers. I use to own a Trailblazer 55-D. If I was in the market for an engine drive of this size, I would look long and hard at Lincoln's 305G. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...olnElectric%29Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPI don't know anything about the newer Trailblazers. I use to own a Trailblazer 55-D. If I was in the market for an engine drive of this size, I would look long and hard at Lincoln's 305G. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us...olnElectric%29
Reply:Biggest down side of the newer Trailblazers is that they aren't AC/DC like the older units were. Keep that in mind if AC weld output is important to you, say for on site AC tig..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by 12V71Tb 302s are great machines. I have 3, oldest has 4000 some hours and now its a backup machine after having a rear main seal repaired. The other 2 range from 600 to 1500 hrs and no problems yet. (knock on wood) one of my buddies has a new TB325 and swears it will do the same as an SA200. He should know, He was an SA200 guy for 30 years. And I run 240v accessories all the time on mine, Plasma, Dynasty 200, Etc. Very versatile machines. The older TBs... Im not sure there.
Reply:Older TB 250G machines only have a very limited amount of aux power available. I had a 1987 TB 250G, and it was a really nice machine as far as small, air cooled engine drive welders go. I ran my little Maxstar 150 off it a couple times, but it wouldn't do a whole lot more as far as extra power goes. The later model TB machines have upwards of 10K watts of AC power available, which is the primary reason I sold my 250G and bought a 302. AC weld current was never a concern for me, so that didn't really matter.Performance wise, I liked the 250G a little better, and loved the looks of it, but the newer machine has a greater flexibility with the increased output. Of course, I'm just a hack and don't do anything important, just fix a little junk iron now and then. These machines are great for a variety of applications, but do have limitations. The older Onan engines are also very expensive to repair, unless you're a small engine guy with a pile of dead ones in your backyard.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:I also had a TB from the 80's. I paid $2460 for it, kept it 18 years and sold it for $1500. It more than paid for itself.Down side was it was DC only and only had 5000 watts of aux power. I bought a 301 to replace it. The 10,000 watts of auxilliary power and the ability to have a hand grinding while I'm welding is worth a lot to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveThat's about the most laughable thing I have ever read! The TB 325 has a smoother arc than the TB 302 but to compare either of them to an SA200 is completely apples to oranges. For most structural and general welding, they will all do a good job. For a good all purpose machine for general welding, a TB would be a great choice, especially because they also have lots of AC power available. Downhand pipeline welding is the domain of an SA200. A TB can not duplicate downhand welding like an SA200. A very knowledgeable Miller rep explained that because the TB is a 3 phase alternator rather than a DC generator, TB's can't use a drag technique with XX10 rods because the arc will re-rectify itself. An SA200 also has adjustable OCV volts which effect the arc characteristics. A pure DC generator has the smoothest arc although inverters come close. A Lincoln Ranger 305 comes closer to duplicating an SA200 and has a downhand pipe setting. I don't know all the differences between the Ranger 305 and the TB's but the Rangers can do downhand drag technique like used for pipeline where a TB can't. An SA200 is also very smooth burning 7018. There's a lot more to it but in a nutshell, a TB can't compare to a Lincoln DC generator on certain applications. For just stick welding, it's hard to beat an SA200 but for versatility, it's hard to beat a Trailblazer, although the 305G might get the nod over the TB. The Excel Power option on the Miller is a great feature and worth the extra cost. I'm wondering if Lincoln is going to come out with something that compares on a new 305G?
Reply:Originally Posted by BobI also had a TB from the 80's. I paid $2460 for it, kept it 18 years and sold it for $1500. It more than paid for itself.Down side was it was DC only and only had 5000 watts of aux power. I bought a 301 to replace it. The 10,000 watts of auxilliary power and the ability to have a hand grinding while I'm welding is worth a lot to me.
Reply:Here's a couple of pix off the net. Mine was cleaner. Looks like an AEAD 200 LE on steroids I always liked the heavy radius round top on them. Really pretty lines for a welder. Great machine. Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Here's a couple of pix off the net. Mine was cleaner. Great machine.
Reply:Here's one I took in on trade. Square body style, but it ran strong and was very clean.It was a 1994 machine. (Just checked ) Attached ImagesExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerHoly smokes I've got that ones red headed twice removed step brother out in the shop. It suffers from rough looks and no output from the business end of any kind. It's on my to do or to sink in the ocean list.
Reply:I've not ever used a trailblazer of any kind myself but just last week on a job we had a contract welder doing some structural upgrades to a tower with a brand new TB302 on his truck. The vertical up welds did not look that good with 7018 rod IMO. In fairness I think the operator was kind of an arrogant "hack" (in your terms) but I did have my 50 year old Hobart machine there and had him run it as both machines used the "Tweco"" style lead connects and hooking up was easy. The welds looked better out of my machine after it was dialed in than the new trailblazer. I'm not bragging my machine up at all and I'm just a part timer, but there was a definite difference in the weld appearance between the two machines using the same rod.IMO you cannot beat a commutator based machine when welding DC. Rectifiers and filter caps can come close but not really equal FWIW.Thanks,SlobPurveyor of intimate unparalleled knowledge of nothing about everything.Oh yeah, also an unabashed internet "Troll" too.....
Reply:Those old Hobarts killed it man. Pure DC generators are about the best there is as far as stick welding goes. They are in a class by themselves.The little air cooled machines excel when it comes to space and weight savings, as well as high AC aux power and most run CV current and power wire feeders very well. Initial investment cost is also less when compared to larger machines. They are great for what they are made for, but fall woefully short when it comes to pipeline welding, and some other heavy industrial applications where a water cooled engine drive or DC generator does a far better job.Not also to mention, you would wear one out pretty fast in a demanding firing line environment running 10-12 hours a day, six days a week. Sure, some ppl get away with using them, but they are far from optimal for that type of application. Not when compared with other, more proven options.IMHO of courseExpert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:7A749, That is exactly what mine looked like, aluminum exhaust cover and all. I bought it brand new and it was supposed to be one of the first two in Texas. I also bought a Spoolmatic 3 to use on it. I still have it but never use it any more and should probably just sell it. I bought  301G when I sold it. It may be my imagination but it seems like the 301 just doesn't weld as nice as the old TB did. It may also be I'm older and not as steady as I used to be too.
Reply:I absolutely love my 302, as a wire feeder, as a stick welder, as a portable tig rig, and a great backup generator.I dont know how it compares to any of the Lincoln machines, but I would say there is a marked improvement over the 301 and 255 models...Not to big a fan of the brand new 325's, I was pretty disappointed that they removed the AC option, not that I do a ton of A/c welding off my trailblazer but if the need arises I need to be able to do it.mine is a 2009-2010, and i paid $3800 with 20 hours on it and it came with the trailer!Miller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobI've not ever used a trailblazer of any kind myself but just last week on a job we had a contract welder doing some structural upgrades to a tower with a brand new TB302 on his truck. The vertical up welds did not look that good with 7018 rod IMO. In fairness I think the operator was kind of an arrogant "hack" (in your terms) but I did have my 50 year old Hobart machine there and had him run it as both machines used the "Tweco"" style lead connects and hooking up was easy. The welds looked better out of my machine after it was dialed in than the new trailblazer. I'm not bragging my machine up at all and I'm just a part timer, but there was a definite difference in the weld appearance between the two machines using the same rod.IMO you cannot beat a commutator based machine when welding DC. Rectifiers and filter caps can come close but not really equal FWIW.Thanks,
Reply:Ok ok ok, let's break up this luv festAt the risk of having a ton of rocks slung my way, I say they pretty much all weld about the same as far as newer machines go.  Long as it runs, and throws a spark, it oughta weld if you're any good at it.  I give you, for consideration, the lowly Ranger GXT.  Rectified, near bottom of the line machine,,,,,,but it works  Welds ok, ran two houses on it during an ice storm some 7yrs ago for a week 24/7, and and and it welds okAnd did I forget to mention................it welds just fine"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by Bob7A749, That is exactly what mine looked like, aluminum exhaust cover and all. I bought it brand new and it was supposed to be one of the first two in Texas. I also bought a Spoolmatic 3 to use on it. I still have it but never use it any more and should probably just sell it. I bought  301G when I sold it. It may be my imagination but it seems like the 301 just doesn't weld as nice as the old TB did. It may also be I'm older and not as steady as I used to be too.
Reply:Snobs!!!!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:That's 'cause you're just such a stud Sam... Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:Ah yes, but mine is bigger Originally Posted by farmersammOk ok ok, let's break up this luv festAt the risk of having a ton of rocks slung my way, I say they pretty much all weld about the same as far as newer machines go.  Long as it runs, and throws a spark, it oughta weld if you're any good at it.  I give you, for consideration, the lowly Ranger GXT.  Rectified, near bottom of the line machine,,,,,,but it works  Welds ok, ran two houses on it during an ice storm some 7yrs ago for a week 24/7, and and and it welds okAh yes, but mine is Bigger, can plug a Miller Sigma 5CS into the 3 phase side of the generator in the 65 year old Hobart and run 3/32 wire on 2" plate all day.And did I forget to mention................it welds just fine
Reply:Biggest difference to me is Aux power. My TB251 has pretty limited AC power available. Plenty to run hand tools, but not enough to run a small mig machine. I would love to have 10,000 watts available, as it would change what machines I could run in the field. Pulling out a little 211 or 140 machine for light repair work would be easier than setting up a feeder, but mine doesnt have it, so the feeder or stick welding is what I do.how did I do that?
Reply:Originally Posted by 7a749that's 'cause you're just such a stud sam...
Reply:Wow! Nice weld on those nuts. I'd keep that machine for sure. Originally Posted by farmersammOk ok ok, let's break up this luv festAt the risk of having a ton of rocks slung my way, I say they pretty much all weld about the same as far as newer machines go.Attachment 992161  Long as it runs, and throws a spark, it oughta weld if you're any good at it.  I give you, for consideration, the lowly Ranger GXT.  Rectified, near bottom of the line machine,,,,,,but it works  Welds ok, ran two houses on it during an ice storm some 7yrs ago for a week 24/7, and and and it welds okAttachment 992181And did I forget to mention................it welds just fine
Reply:I say again...Sambo, you are a stud!!!! Expert Garage Hack....https://www.facebook.com/steven.webber.948
Reply:i went from a 302 to a new 325 on the company rig and im a bit disappointed.i have only done a few stick-pipe welds with it, and i was really hating root-passes. never had a problem with the 302.im sure its just a settings issue what with the new dig or arc-force knob, but check this out. wait gimme a minutebosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:here it is. . . . .now, im no electrician, but something looks funny about thisbosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:You mean the shadow of a guy taking a picture in the photo   Backed my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck
Reply:Originally Posted by BobWow! Nice weld on those nuts. I'd keep that machine for sure.
Reply:What about arc quality? The 302 has 3 phase windings and the 250 I would assume doesnt.