Upgrading from my bobcat

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I am going to be getting a bigger machine and want to stay around the $5500 range. I am looking at getting a 2006 miller big blue deluxe with 800 hours on it from a rental yard when I talked to them it was out for rental so I didn't get to looki it over and see the condition or engine. They want $5800 for it which seemed pretty resonable for it. I looked on craigslist and there is a miller pro 300 2008 model wiht I think 300 some hours on it but he wants $6500 for it. What do you all think?Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:My question is why is a rental company selling a fairly new Big Blue for so cheap with only 800 hours on it?  That sounds very fishy to me.  They definately haven't got anywhere near their full use and return on their investment out of the machine at only 800 hours.That's a good price on the Pro 300 and 300 hours is very very low hours for that machine.  Unless you're intending to do alot of high amp carbon arc with the machine, I would go for the Pro 300 instead of the Big Blue, since the Pro 300 is smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient, quieter, is newer, has less hours, is still under warranty (Millers have 3 yrs warranty) and I assume it was not a rental.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I'm not sure what it is that you want to do with your machine but for less than $5500 you can upgrade to a Trailblazer or a Lincoln 302G, and I'm refering to brand new machines.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:I have thought about the 302 and I am looking at a used one with some accessories for $3000.00 and a new one for $4100 or $4500 with Efi.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:I would recommend the pro 300 over a tb.thermal arc mst400, va4000 feeder, lincoln 175 min, victor torches, miller s32p feeder, air arc k4000 for work.
Reply:OK I know I'm being a jerk, but. Earlier this week you were asking if you could run AC rods on a DC only machine. The thought of you with a 300+ amp diesel powered machine and that level of experience makes me a little nervous, just sayin'.Ranger 250 GXTSmith Gas Axe
Reply:I agree with Desert Rider, something is wrong with the rental shop unit.  It may not show up until later, which means you eat it.  I have worked for companies that rent stuff, we all know how it gets treated.I too would take a Pro over a TB if you actually need it, I have a TB and it suits my needs, for now.  If you could give more info on what your needs are or planned usage a guy could give you more useful info.TB 302 EFIESAB Migmaster 275MM 211 w/Spoolmate 100Hypertherm PlasmaMetal Master, Victor, and Smith TorchesUnihydro 45Wells BandsawArcair K2000Weldcraft Tig rigMiller 12VSLincoln PT 225No one can say I'm brand biased.
Reply:What are you trying/needing to do that the bobcat and SA won't handle? I'm just asking not bashing here.
Reply:Something to think about the BB 40 has about 750 more lbs than your Bobcat.The rental outfit keeping maintance logs,I'd ask for them.
Reply:The rentals are 2006 models they have two to choose from our company does alot of work for them and they told me since it would be my personal unit they said $5800. One had 1800 hours and one had 800 . Basically I was looking to sell my sa 250 and my bobcat and have one diesel machine to do everything I needed to do mig welding, standby power at the house . That being said the trail blazer 302 is the biggest machine that I have run out on a site. I was at work yesterday and actually saw one of Big blues up close and personally and it is a rather large machine to do what I need to do. So now I am thinking about just getting a trailblazer because $2000 left over will buy a pretty good bit of fuel.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Originally Posted by MrLeadManOK I know I'm being a jerk, but. Earlier this week you were asking if you could run AC rods on a DC only machine. The thought of you with a 300+ amp diesel powered machine and that level of experience makes me a little nervous, just sayin'.
Reply:Most of the higher level machines don't have ac, except as an option.  AC just isn't used much in stick welding, not at all in wire welding, and those who need to tig in ac usually have a seperate ac/dc tig machine to plug into the generator outlet.   I very very rarely use the ac on my Bobcat and I wouldn't miss it for a long long time if that feature were to become in operable on my machine.  It could be out of order right now and I don't even know it, ha ha.  I would have no problem buying a dc-only machine.  Of all the machines mentioned so far- Bobcat, Trailblazer, Pro 300, Big Blue, Big 40, Ranger, or SA- my choice would be the Pro 300 to run on my truck, if I had the money for it.  My Bobcat/XMT304 combination works well for me for the time being.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Just to update ended up getting a trailblazer then a week after found a great deal on a miller 300 with the perkins motor and 2200 hours on it . So need less to say I got a pro 300 haven't had a chance to really use the machine with all the rain we have had but bought the stuff to do the filters and oil. Pics if it ever stops raining.Vantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:Congrats on the 'new' machine.  MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op