Ok guys, with rapidily approaching $4 fuel, things are going to change. I am looking at upgrading at least one machine. I do structural and a little oilfield work. If anybody has a Vantage 300 with Deutz, a Pro 300, or a TrailBlazer pro 350D. I would appreciate any comments, good and bad.
My local dealer hasn't been impressed with the vantage 300 with kubota, but he hasn't sold one with the bigger duetz. My dealer recommends the pro 300, but it would require re-outfitting my bed. I have only talked to one guy with a pro 350D and he really likes it even though it is a 3600 rpm unit, although it welds something like 180amps at idle. It is also much lighter and I travel long distances to jobs so every bit of fuel mileage will help. I believe the vantage weighs about 1150, the pro 300 about 1100, and the 350D about 1000.
I have a vantage with the kubota. I think it is the best machine i have ever owned. Runs about 50 hrs on a tank
50 hours of idling? My Pro300s will run 2 full tilt 12+ hour work days or 4+ days of miscellaneous work. My buddies with Vantage 300 Kubotas seem to be on the same fill up schedule I am.
I do misc work in the oilfield I fill up every 40-50 hrs
I have the 500 vantage with the cummins in it and i am getting great gas to hour ratio I love it
I have not kept track that close but I know it is at least 35 to 40 or over per tank of fuel
thats sounds pretty good, it will nearly pay for itself on fuel economy
I have a TrailBlazer pro 350D at wot it uses .64 gal an hour I ran it 3 days non stop during the FL hurricains in 2004 to run our house. With 12000 watts of power we lived just like normal- A/C, stove, running water, etc. I sure loved falling asleep to that sound. My wife and three kids liked it to. What a fuel miser. I had a computer part go bad covered under warrenty ($600 part). I think it might have been from starting an old sa 200 by hooking the two machines leads together. Welds great you can't hardly get it to break the arc on a 6010. Stacks metal great. Wants to keep on going. All processes, ac/dc, etc. I've run a high frequency box to tig, 12 rc suitcase to mig, and controle box with 30A spoolgun to mig AL. Gouge all day long I'm ready to quit long before it is. You can run an electric (120 not 220) air compressor and plasma at the same time. I used an older propane tank as a resivour for the extra air that the compressor could'nt keep up with though. The biggest draw back is that a remote costs a fortune especally when compared with making my own for my SA-200. I think I'll call one of those places KSELLON suggested if I want one. My rig has the SA-200 on it but the 350D is on it's own little trailer with a great set of tire, lights that work, greased bearings just ready and waiting to go. I think Lincoln and Miller make some great machines I bought this for all processes and gen power when needed. Great machine and fits sidways in your truck plus you can see out the rear window (some)!
Mine has the Deutz - Vantage 300.... comfortably run 2 days on pipeline - I'd hate to run out on the third. But that's running fairly steady capping w/ 5's.
Can't seem to find part number crossover for oil filters tho - be sure to order some with machine.
Filled yesterday at $4.04 / gallon - clear fuel - on company's dime.
Does yours load up and and act like its working real hard running 5/32's, I have seen the kubota powered ones do it down here?
Here's a question for those who own diesel welders: Will they run the same using bio diesel providing it was processes properly? I would think there wouldn't be an issue but just wanted to ask since I have run some home made bio diesel in my old 99 dodge (it ran fine except for an extra filter change or two due to its properties). It was only about B5 to B20 and I had a good recipe and someone showing me how to do the mix and test it properly. Just wondering if you guys have any experience running Bio fuel in your welders or even would. That darn ultra low sulfur processing costs has almost ruined the value of normal diesel.
Dean
excellent question, we may all be there before long.
I ran 4 tanks of bio through my Clasic 3 D so far no prolblem truck didnt do so good filter'S and a $2500 high presure fule pump (BOSH)
nope.... runs 3's fine too! just finished Saturday on an 8" .188 x42/x52 line just under 200 hrs and running great.
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