Life Expectancy of Ranger 8??

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For those of you familiar with the Ranger 8... what is the typical life expectancy in hours for a well maintained machine with the Onan Performer 16?  There's a guy trying to sell one on Craigslist with 800 hours on it... says it "runs perfect."  Would it likely be pretty much used up? Or does it potentially have some life left in it, with or without a rebuild?  I'm just curious if it's worth looking at, and if so, at what price?   Thanks!Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Got one at work with just under 2000 hrs on it. Runs strong, welds good, starts right up. Had all the maintenance pretty much: oil every 50hrs or so, cleaning, brush checks, etc.Only problem was a failed voltage reg (onan part. They are mounted on the engine cover right next to a cyl head. They are a common, easy fix failure part)
Reply:Originally Posted by enlpckGot one at work with just under 2000 hrs on it. Runs strong, welds good, starts right up. Had all the maintenance pretty much: oil every 50hrs or so, cleaning, brush checks, etc.Only problem was a failed voltage reg (onan part. They are mounted on the engine cover right next to a cyl head. They are a common, easy fix failure part)
Reply:The rule of thumb that I've heard is 3000-5000 hours on the gas engine-driven welders; before needing a major overhaul.  I'd assume 5000-6000 for a propane powered unit, since they burn so clean.  12000-15000 hours for a diesel welder; again before it needs a major engine overhaul.Other than changing brushes and lubing bearings the electrical systems should be almost maintenance free on this kind of equipment.All this assumes proper, timely maintenance, and modest load on the equipment(no heavy carbon arc gouging for days on end or thawing of frozen pipes, etc.)Benson's Mobile Welding - Dayton, OH metro area - AWS Certified Welding Inspector
Reply:Originally Posted by A_DAB_will_doThe rule of thumb that I've heard is 3000-5000 hours on the gas engine-driven welders; before needing a major overhaul.  I'd assume 5000-6000 for a propane powered unit, since they burn so clean.  12000-15000 hours for a diesel welder; again before it needs a major engine overhaul.Other than changing brushes and lubing bearings the electrical systems should be almost maintenance free on this kind of equipment.All this assumes proper, timely maintenance, and modest load on the equipment(no heavy carbon arc gouging for days on end or thawing of frozen pipes, etc.)
Reply:I worked maintenance part time at a golf course about 8 years ago, the mowers used a variety of aircooled 12 to 25 hp engines,  full throttle 2 to 8 hours a day. They seemed to all last at least 1,200 hours, anything with a filter would go 2,400 to 4,000 hours. Funny, the newer Briggs engines were about the best of the lot. Half a dozen past 1600 hours, ZERO internal problems. The Kohlers would get some wear on the cam gears and the backlash would cause the balancers to shatter. We changed oil at 50 hours with out filters and 100 hours with filters.    We did all our own overhauls to engines that hwd been run out of oil or run into ponds, the worst engines we ran were some mitsubishi liquid cooled diesels that would run out of oil with oil still on the stick, turns out the sticks were too long, and the oil pickups were 2 inches off the bottom of the pans, a few "adjustments' solved the problems. we dropped the pickups an inch and a half and shortened the dipsticks an inch. added an extra quart of oil, still well below the windage tray. Kubota diesels were super durable. Funny the welder companies don't offer them.past work toys; lathes,mills, drills, saws,  robots, lasers ironworker, shears, brake, press, grinders, tensile tester,  torches, tigs, migs, sticks, platten table, positioner,  plasmas , gleeble and spot. Retired June 30, 2009.
Reply:I've been running Miller Trailblazers for twenty years or so, never once had an engine problem.  Onan flatheads most of them.    Depending on the year, started having PC board problems, anywhere from 1800 hours on up to 2500 hours.   I can't recall,,,,   but isn't the Ranger 8 a Bobcat class machine?   No PC boards???   with only 800 hours?    I'd snap it up, if my assumptions are correct.   The engine is never the problem, normally problems with the electronics on the welder side.That being said, one thing nobody ever remembers,,,,,   the valves DO need regular adjustment....     a 15 minute job.
Reply:I got a ranger 8 with 20hp kohler.3500hrs and still going.stig ,tig, arc gouge,& run a suitcase.
Reply:I've had three Miller bobcats with the Onan 16hp engines and sold all of them when they had between 3000 and 4000 hrs on them.  never had a major problem with them.  that welder has some good life left in it!I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:Thanks for all the feedback.  I have a little better idea now of what to expect.  I've been looking to get at least an 8k, preferably a 10k generator for a while now... and I've started to lean toward just getting one of the engine driven welders... may as well kill two birds with one stone.Work HARDER, not smarter! ------------------------ Miller Bobcat 250Millermatic 251Lincoln Precision TIG 185Hypertherm PM 600Hobart 135 HandlerOxweld 400 FlameMaster
Reply:Hey wesdavidsonLincoln offers many welders with a Kubota Diesel on them... The Ranger 305D uses a Kubota D722 3 cylinder engine... The Vantage 300 uses the Kubota V1505 4 cyl... The Pipeliner 200D uses a V2203M 4 cyl... the Classic 300D uses a V2203M... Also, the Vantage 400's. The Vantage 500's and the SAE 500's use Kubota Turbo Diesels.
Reply:If you have a maintained unit and the price is right go for it, I have a couple of these, one I bougt as a basket and fixed it with little parts. That being said, I think you should also know that the motors from onan for these are no longer made, that the welder cranks are tapered a little different and swaps are hard to come by. Also a rebuild kit will cost at least $1000 bucks for a total overhaul plus labor and machining. The problem with the onans is simple, there owners don't take care of them. Change the oil and don't leave it outside with the air cleaner off and you will be fine. Also put on a 3 dollar fuel filter from NAPA and you have a very capable little machine. Should pay anywhere from 600-1500 for that machine used ,I think."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400
Reply:Having read all this good info... I have a question of my own that is related.  I recently acquired a Ranger 250 Onan Performer series OHV220 from the weldor I work with.  The machine has 3400 hrs. It ran perfect with absolutely no issues, until one morning it would start but it would not stay revved up.  This machine has seen some relatively hard work on pipeline (40" or so a day).  It has been meticulously maintained and allowed to cool down before shutting it down.  The machine will start like a champ, it revs up for a few seconds than sputters and dies.  Fuel filter has been replaced, nothing else.My plan was to try and get some practice out of this machine.  I've been told that the life expectancy of this machine has been exceeded and that it is not worth trying to fix. I've also been told that these machines can go for far longer.  What are your opinions and thoughts on the longevity and possible cause of problem.
Reply:Sounds like some kind of fuel starvation problem.  Is it possible you're pulling a vacuum in the fuel tank?  Or is the idle adjust now way out of adjustment?  How about a plugged air filter?It's got to be one of three things:  Fuel, air, or spark(compression for diesel).  Since it starts I suspect it's got spark.  That leaves air or fuel starvation, carburation(mix ratio), or idle speed.Maybe this is all elementary, and you've already exhausted the obvious places to look.  But in case you didn't, start here and let us know what you find. Originally Posted by JohnnyRodentHaving read all this good info... I have a question of my own that is related.  I recently acquired a Ranger 250 Onan Performer series OHV220 from the weldor I work with.  The machine has 3400 hrs. It ran perfect with absolutely no issues, until one morning it would start but it would not stay revved up.  This machine has seen some relatively hard work on pipeline (40" or so a day).  It has been meticulously maintained and allowed to cool down before shutting it down.  The machine will start like a champ, it revs up for a few seconds than sputters and dies.  Fuel filter has been replaced, nothing else.My plan was to try and get some practice out of this machine.  I've been told that the life expectancy of this machine has been exceeded and that it is not worth trying to fix. I've also been told that these machines can go for far longer.  What are your opinions and thoughts on the longevity and possible cause of problem.
Reply:Does it idle ok? If it does but dies when at weld speed it could be as simple as too much oil. If overfilled the oil will splash and block the vacuum port that runs the fuel pump. I had one that idled just fine all day but at weld speed would sputter and die. Drove me nuts for a few hours checking the typical things!Miller LegendMiller XMT 200Miller HF 251DMiller Spoolmatic 30AMillerTrailBlazer 250GLincoln LN 25Lincoln G9 ProLincWelder 225Lincoln Ranger 9Lincoln Ranger 275TJhttp://onanparts.com
Reply:I have a Ranger 8 with the Kohler. Only issue I ever had was from bad gas. Great Machine.Lincoln Ranger 8Lincoln 140c MigLincoln Tombstone(doesn't everybody have one ?)Miller 200Diesel/Heavy Equipment MechanicLead Plant Mechanic Municipal Water
Reply:did you get the ranger 8? I am thinking of buying one for 1000.00 and 50 ft leads, seller sats 55 hrs, I need it for the generator.
Reply:Had mine11 years still burning
Reply:if you don't have electronic ignition, you may want to check out or replace the condensor. Can allow to Idle but give trouble on rev ving up."Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400