Vantage 300

[J Hall]

As I was looking to upgrade, I decided to get a Lincoln Vantage 300D.
It came to my door on Thursday. tried it a little today and got it on my truck.

Very nice smooth machine. The arc seems to be very similar to my SAM-400.
It will get the real test this week and we will see how it does

[calweld]

That machine looks like it fits your truck very nicely. Be sure to keep us updated as you use it . . .

[calweld]

Which engine did you decide to go with?

[J Hall]

That machine looks like it fits your truck very nicely. Be sure to keep us updated as you use it . . .

It was easy to fit in . the bed was made years ago for a SAM-400.

I went with the Kubota, that is what was out there. It seems like a nice engine, and I have a good dealer right in town.
I think the Deutz would have been an excellent choice too, bigger displacement and weighs a bit more.

The only ***** I have is that since the weld meters are optional,they could have at least marked the dial with coarse amp settings rather than just 1-10 . It would be easier to remember that 200 amps is around the 200 mark than in between the 4 and 5.
Of course once I get used to the machine it probably won't matter

[Pile Buck]

Well Jeff she do look purdy up there.

So why is it you guys face your welders to the driver’s side? I remember you guys commenting of this before, but never really said what your mindset was. My machine never set on the truck long, spent most of it’s life on a barge or dock.

[J Hall]

I like everything that I use frequently to be on the drver's side. I hate running around in circles.
That problem will be handled with my new bed. It will be more user friendly.

[SMTatham]

Jeff, I have full confidence you are gonna LOVE this machine. Did the LWS offer you a deal on a meter kit for it?

[J Hall]

SMT,
He sold me one for his cost, but I haven't seen it yet. It was backordered, I think.
I had one meter go bad on my Ranger, and Lincoln only sells the kit, so I had a spare and plugged it in for an amp display.

I will have to do some light work, then get out the Airarc

[Pile Buck]

So after having the Trailblazer 55-D, and the SAM 400, why did you go with the Vantage 300, and not the 500 ? Don’t need that kind of power anymore? I went to Lincoln’s site and read up on the Vantage. That’s very nice having the Stainless steel roof. That reminds me of the Red-e-arc welders. Probably pretty close to the same thing.

[J Hall]

I still have the SAM and the 55D. I didn't seem to need a 7 foot long 2400lb machine on my truck anymore, so I went to a Ranger 305. It is a good machine, but alittle on the light side sometimes, so I decided to move to the Vantage. It is 1035lbs, so that isn't too bad

[calweld]

I went with the Kubota, that is what was out there. It seems like a nice engine, and I have a good dealer right in town.
I think the Deutz would have been an excellent choice too, bigger displacement and weighs a bit more.

I can't say enough good about my Deutz's . . . mine are the 912 series, I think the combination of power, reliability, and fuel efficiency can't be beat. I have seen some (on other types of equipment) that have been run so hot it burned the paint right off the engine, they keep on going.

[J Hall]

When I was a kid, I worked for a farmer that did a lot of irrigation. They had a pump that was run by the first Deutz I had ever seen. 6cyl and loud. they ran it 24/7 and all season with NO maintenance. No oil change, no nothing.The dealer serviced it in the spring and that was it.
It ran for years. outlasted the system it fed.

[SMTatham]

Just a curiosity thing Jeff; are you selling the 305 or keeping it in the pack? Also; is your LWS a chain or independent? Tha's just part of my informal (and very unscientific) "poll" to see what types of LWS seem to do well in different parts of the country.

[J Hall]

SMT,
The 305 will be sold. I will miss it, as it is a good machine.
I got the Vantage from an out of town dealer who is a good friend.
They have grown to 12 stores in the last several years.
You would be familiar with them, I am sure.

[J Hall]

Btw,
I burned up some 5/32 7018 today, I do like this machine.