Advice on Pipe Pro 304

[Weldinman]

Hey Guys Im thinking of up grading my equipment and seriously looking into the pipe pro 304 I like alot of its design although I would like it to also have AC for the occasional field aluminum tig jobs I get & structural with arc blow problems.
Mostly I want a good pipe, and mig welding machine so this looks good. However I have heard mixed feelings about this macine with electronic problems etc. Any input from some one who has owned or used this machine would be appreciated.
Thanks

[c neck]

im looking to upgrade too i was looking at the pro 300
but after some reading im going with the big 40 deluxe
has ac and 15,000 watt gen, cyber weld .com has them
for under $14,000 free shipping and no tax

[krackle]

I have also heard bad things about the 304...

Never owned one myself, so i can't speak from experience though.

[cruizer]

Well it's just an XMT304, so if you like the arc characteristics of the XMT, buy the Pipepro. you will have to do some basic maintenance to the 304 part of it after your warranty has expired, but most of kinks have been worked out with this unit, other than the engine governor seal then tends to drop out on some engines (Both Lincoln & Miller) You loose all your oil when that happens.

A comparable unit in the lincoln lineup would be the Lincoln Vantage with a water cooled Duetz. (Same price as the Kubota, more HP & Torque)

Haven't found anyone who actually likes the way the Pro300 welds, control board update or not, no really controlable dig settings A&B are too cold, "D" the puddle is uncontrollable, So your left with "C", so operators leave it there. If your thinking about the pro 300, go with the Duetz engine not the cat/perkins version

The Big 40 cc/cv is a nice but heavy unit, very few problems

[Weldinman]

Thanks Cruizer I appreciate the input with all that I have heard Im not sure this is the way to go I still may get local rep to bring one over to get a closer look and try it out if he has one in his stable.
Ive been using an older Air Pack for about 10 yrs. now and altough it can do alot I would like to get a machine that will be similiar and have a few more controls for the arc so I can run a nicer bead on my pipe welds etc.
I think I will also check out the big 40 deluxe.
Your right they are heavy and that was why I was hoping to hear something good about the pro since its half the weight so I could get alitte better fuel milage.
Thanks again guys.

P.S. I was just wondering if there is a way to add a dig or some kind of arc control to an engine drive welder?
I know in a limited way I can set the main amp control higher or lower and play w/ fine current knob to dial it in but it just doesnt give you enough of an adjustment to control the arc in a specific way.

[MikeMenke]

Pipe Pro 304 and Pro 300

Hey, I am in the market to get a new machine. I have a Trailblazer 302 (gas) and I'm not happy with the way it welds pipe. I like the way the Lincoln 300 Classic welds but I have all the equipment for a Miller and it would be easier to sell the machine than all the equipment. I wanted to know if anyone has welded with a Lincoln and how closely it welds to the Pipe Pro 304 or the Pro 300. Is there a huge difference in performance? Any input would be appreciated! Thanks.

[Root Pass]

I think the Pro 300 is the way to go it does have the dig setting. There are more and more of these showing up on pipelines and die hard SA 200 users seem to love them. You can tig weld AL with DC- on the thinner metals. I'm like you alot of Miller equipment, I bought the Pro 350 the only complaint I have is a downhand open root pipe weld is harder for me than the 'ol SA 200. Just the root pass- fill and cap look/turnout great. I would have bought the Pro 300 if I had to do it all over again. The complaints with the Pipe Pro have been do to the "delicate" inverter parts I believe. I'm sure someone one here from Miller could expound on that but the Pro 300's are proving to be bullit proof. Just my opnion.

[MikeMenke]

Pro 300 Engines

Thanks for the input, Root Pass. I was also wondering about the engines in the Pro 300. A guy I work with had the Cat and he liked it. I was wondering if anyone has ever used the Deutz engine. Are there any differences? Thanks!

[Root Pass]

"Nothing runs like a Cat"

[c wagner]

"Nothing runs like a Cat"

Hmmm does the Perkins motor run like a Cat because it has Cat badges and paint on it???

I've hear a lot of good things about the Pro 300, more and more guys in my area buying them and liking them. I think all of the guys that I talked to had the Cat (Perkins) motor but the purchased them before the Deutz engine was an option.
One of the local pipeline company's is setting up 5 new trucks and they have 5 new Pipe Pro304's to go on them, so they must be having good luck with them.

Hey Mike what is it that you don't like about your Trailblazer when your welding pipe?

[MikeMenke]

c wagner, thanks for the input. It seems like my trailblazer wants to snuff out when I am putting the bead in. It seems like the helper can't get to the reastat quick enough before it snuffs out. Also, it seems like it doesn't carry as much metal as a Lincoln. Most of the guys I work with have Lincolns, and I see myself grabbing their lead and welding with it when I am putting in the bead. Also, running 3/16 it doesn't seem like it's running as smooth as the Lincolns even if I crank the amps up. I got the Trailblazer before I knew I was going to be welding all this pipe. I could probably use the Trailblazer no problem but why work harder than I already have to. I'd rather have a machine that does what it's build to do. So what do you think about the Deutz or the Cat? Do you know if there are any differences? I wouldn't mind buying the Deutz if it's a better motor. I know a lot of people bought the Perkins because it is the same motor as what's in the Lincolns.

[c wagner]

Thanks for the info on your Trailblazer Mike.

Hopefully someone else can chime in on the Deutz motor as I haven't heard anything about them yet. Like I mentioned before all the guys I know running the Pro 300 have the Cat and I haven't heard any complaints about them yet.

Good luck with your choice and keep us posted on how it works once you have some time on it.

[Miller AirPak Joe]

AirPak Joe

Hi Guys,
Both the CAT and Deutz engines are great performers.
Many users go with the CAT because it is just a little quieter and the close proximity of CAT service trucks that follow the pipelines thru the remote areas of the country due to the large quantity of heavy equipment.
The Deutz does have more power and torque that comes in handy when running a 1/4" electrode or at higher altitudes where the lack of oxygen is robbing the extra power. Deutz has a good service network as well.

[cruizer]

You simply Can't compare a Pipepro or Pro300 to a Lincoln Classic 300D, Yes they both weld, and may have close to the same result, but its an apples and oranges thing in how they get that end result. Never the less both the Pro and Pipepro weld much better than the Classic.

As for dig settings on a Miller, absolutely useless, D is too wet and A& B are too cold. so ya leave it in C.

Now everything including othe oil filter says Perkins on the "Cat", in the Pro300. This is an underpowered engine for it's purpose, plain and simple, just like the Lincoln Vantage 300 with the Kubota.

So everybody ,Lincoln and Miller, is jumping on the new water cooled Duetz. Way better & high torque engine. Lincoln came out with it early last year and put it into trials, Miller copyed and is putting it into the Pro300's soon or now, can't remember.

Most of the Bugs have been worked out of the Pipepro 304, now if the output board would stop vibrating out of place that would be the last hurdle.

I would have thought the best small machine would have been the Lincoln Ranger, but now Lincoln has copied Miller and stuck the 23HP Kohler into it, eliminating the nice oil cooled 22HP version. Shakes so much now that the Muffer falls off. Electronics are still superior to the Miller 302 in DC mode, but its a toss up between the 2.

Both Diesels in this version are unreliable and noisy

Best full size diesel would have to be the Miller airpac

Best mid size diesel would have to be the Lincoln vantage 400, though usable DC output is still 0-300 in pipemode with full dig capability

[Portable Welder]

Ive had my Pipe Pro since 2000, I had a bad radiator cap about 5 years ago and other than that its been a great welder with no problems.

I have noticed that it smokes at high idle for the last couple of years but hasnt caused any problems to date.

The only thing I dont like about my Pipe Pro is that it has A high reving engine.

I would love it if they would make it a 1800 RPM welder.