sapphire tms

So I've read about some of their TM engineering brain cramps.
Could these be redone, fixed, redesigned, to make them more of a solid TM.
Local CL has a 370 for sale, 1000 hr for $3999.

That's a steal !! Until I googled the unit, you should re-read the description, the unit has a blown gaskets due to oil overflow and it has 2300+ hours, if I'm not mistaken that unit is air cooled ? If it is, it's already almost reaching half of it's life ( manufacturer estimate 5000 hours life of air cooled units ) even though Dave's air cooled unit had more than doubled that but he was the only owner and he always uses mobil 1 oil.
The problem is you can't test run the unit until you get that gaskets fixed ? If the guy overflow the oil in the motor, what are the chance he puts more oil in the water pump and blower as well ?
I would get that Prochem Apex if you're in the market for a used unit, it's $ 5900 and got a fairly new motor, it's got fresh water tank too.

In case you haven't heard. Legend brand /Siphire just bought Prochem.
As for the SS units they seem to be good units, granted it is not a judson but if maintained properly are good units. Just worked on a 370 the other day close to 3000 hrs and is working fine. They are tight to work on that's for sure. When I went to school on them, they had the good points of PC and HM put together in the same unit. The rage is basically a PC blazer.

Both good points. Mis-typed 1000hr; meant 2000.
So maybe some of the problems I've heard and read are early models?
I've also seen a lot of used ones on the market, more on average than other manf.
Didn't know they bought PC. That's a big deal, with PC being the Goliath in the industry.

Most of the sapphire units started out having warranty problems with their motors....this may be one of those. I tried out several of their units and really liked the direct drive as well as the larger units, but didn't like the Rage at all.

The 370 looks like a good model for a small van or for someone that doesn't run long hose lengths, but If you want to buy it, price it without the motor as it will probably need one.

New motor around here will run about 2k, plus labor.

Ed, I didn't know that ! I hope they will keep some of Prochem employees and make a better unit some day that's easier to maintain and serviced.
I heard great reviews of Sapphire truckmounts so far from sapphire owners.
370s is about 12 k brand new if I'm not mistaken ? That makes used unit at around 6 k, minus 2 k for new motor, puts it at 4 k, just right at his asking price, I would say it won't sell soon, may be at 2 - 2.5 k would put that at a decent value, it's still a gamble cause you can't do a test run.

I wouldn't take that gamble. I like a lot of vacuum and this unit isn't the best for that....solid for residential, but commercial could become a problem.

I will say that the Sapphire Guys are an honest bunch. When they rolled out the direct drive unit, I spoke to the salesman and asked him to honestly tell me why it is better than a butler? He gave honest answers, detailed which areas Butler was superior and which ones they were better at. I do respect that kind of Sales Rep.

the newer ones are really good, but there are certain models of the older ones that have issues

cant remember which model it was