Big Blue Air Pack Question

[Nitroneal]

Recently purchased used big blue 400 air pack. Supposed to be 1986 model. Machine is pretty good shape. Compressor won't build air. Engine is Deutz F4L912, #1 cylinder has compressor conversion. The popit valve assembly is crapped out-beat up. Need new assembly.
Anyone have any experience where to get these kind of parts?? I can't find anything on the web. Just discovered this problem. Probably have to talk to Miller before this is over.
Thanks, Neal.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Call Miller, you can sometimes get parts from them. They have pretty good CS.

 

[Rogue1987]

Another vote to give miller a ring and see what they say.

also, I would suggest posting this over at weldingweb. Those folks literally know everything.
http://weldingweb.com/

 

[BigMike782]

Call Miller with the machine serial(two letters and six digits) and they will get you a part number

 

[plow]

Another vote to give miller a ring and see what they say.

also, I would suggest posting this over at weldingweb. Those folks literally know everything.
http://weldingweb.com/

.....About WELDING!

 

[Nitroneal]

Well I gave Miller a ring...they have good customer service, dude sent me a owners manual and parts breakdown. New parts to fix were about $5k. After much searching discovered Miller parts are about 50-70% higher than Deutz, and their stuff is outrageous. Found a guy in western Nebraska that buys these by the 100's form the RR's. Doesn't have time to part anything out. Turned me on to an outfit in Ohio that knows these things inside out. Watch out!! Time and money need not be a factor. 8 weeks and $2200 later it builds air like a big dog. Live and learn.... run across one of these that won't build air.. cut the lowest price you'd pay for it in half.

One more question. It did run-idle a couple times, now it doesn't, just run. Any ideas what to look for?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Neal.

 

[BigMike782]

There is a PC board and an solenoid that could be an issue but looking up the manual depends on serial number.

 

[sberry]

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/communities/mboard/forumdisplay.php?3-Welding-Discussions You can reach the OM thru here.

 

[trackwelder]

We ran those Miller units for years, they are some tough machines. We beat the hell out of them air arcing. The compressors dump a ton of water in the lines and we had to plumb in a separator and dump Kilfrost in the lines during the winter.

 

[Nitroneal]

There is a PC board and an solenoid that could be an issue but looking up the manual depends on serial number.

I got a guy @ Miller to send me a link to the manual, it wouldn't come up on the regular site. I'll go thru the manual and look @ the pc board and relay. Go from there. Thanks.

 

[Nitroneal]

We ran those Miller units for years, they are some tough machines. We beat the hell out of them air arcing. The compressors dump a ton of water in the lines and we had to plumb in a separator and dump Kilfrost in the lines during the winter.

Yep. they take a lickin. I started with BNSF 10 yrs, ago. These were pretty well gone by then. I'll look into some sort of seperater in the air line.

 

[BigMike782]

Well I gave Miller a ring...they have good customer service, dude sent me a owners manual and parts breakdown. New parts to fix were about $5k. After much searching discovered Miller parts are about 50-70% higher than Deutz, and their stuff is outrageous. Found a guy in western Nebraska that buys these by the 100's form the RR's. Doesn't have time to part anything out. Turned me on to an outfit in Ohio that knows these things inside out. Watch out!! Time and money need not be a factor. 8 weeks and $2200 later it builds air like a big dog. Live and learn.... run across one of these that won't build air.. cut the lowest price you'd pay for it in half.

One more question. It did run-idle a couple times, now it doesn't, just run. Any ideas what to look for?
Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Neal.

A local guy priced a compressor rebuild and bought a new machine.
He is a one man operation but at one point had three Air Paks and a Big Blue ???.......for one guy?

 

[Nitroneal]

A local guy priced a compressor rebuild and bought a new machine.
He is a one man operation but at one point had three Air Paks and a Big Blue ???.......for one guy?

Geeez, must be making something high dollar or has more money than he knows what to do with. My partner & I are putting this on a 16' tandem axle utility trailer. Built overhead material racks, everything on reels, tool boxes, etc. This one machine will get us more work than we want.
Neal.