Butler with 6k hours

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bfs/4715230287.html

Do you guys think this TM is worth it? comes with a pretty nice 2002 savanna. Listed for 8000 thinking about offering 6500

Well, I don't know much about butler, Rob can probably answer a lot of your questions but 6000+ hours on the machine will add 60,000 miles on that van engine if I'm not mistaken ( 1 hour = 10 miles ? )
So technically you're buying a 203,000 miles van instead of 143,000 miles, some things can go wrong in a year ( knock on wood ) I would offer him less just because summer is passed, it's harder to sell van and TM in the winter, I would shoot for $ 5 k or $ 5.5 k as a first offer assuming that everything works well, then let the negotiations begin, good luck.

just went and looked at it, gonna pass. Van wasnt great looking and it would be a huge deal to transfer equipment if needed.

The whole package looked kinda more like a money pit, Ill take a less powerful brand new machine (same price) before messing with that thing with 6000 hrs.

ACpower1 wrote:http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bfs/4715230287.html

Do you guys think this TM is worth it?   comes with a pretty nice 2002 savanna.   Listed for 8000 thinking about offering 6500

I've been running Butlers since '99 and still run one just like that one only with a larger waste tank. Mine has over 10,000 hours and runs all day long most days. Since new, it has had 2 pumps and 1 heat exchanger replaced....solid workhorse. You can expect 210 degrees and about 450 cfm suction....enough to get just about anything done without complaints.

Is it a good deal? Depends on the van. It looks clean and not rotted out...that's good. It looks to be cared for...that's a plus. The big question is the mechanical aspects....how are they? That 5.7 motor is cheap to maintain and parts can be had anywhere to keep it running, but make sure that it has the multipoint fuel injection system and not the single injector spider crap.

Actually, here are the keys to ask the guy:

How often was the oil changed for the van? Better be monthly or walk away.
Is the engine the mulitpoint injection system? If not, it is about a $1200 to upgrade.
Does the engine use any oil? A new Jasper engine is about $5000 installed.
Does the chemical feed work? Not many do, so don't be surprised by response...it should tell you if he is honest.
Does it have air conditioning? Many Butlers do not have a/c...most actually don't.

If the engine runs well and the maint. was kept up, it is a good deal....might even be an excellent deal. I love buying Butlers, swapping the motor and being set for another 10 years of trouble-free service. If the motor is good, change the water pump and fuel pump whether it needs it or not....trust me on that one.

For that van, I would expect to see it listed for something closer to 12k, so the price is very good. If you can get it for $6500....take it!!!

ACpower1 wrote:just went and looked at it,   gonna pass.    Van wasnt great looking and it would be a huge deal to transfer equipment if needed.    

The whole package looked kinda more like a money pit,     Ill take a less powerful brand new machine (same price)  before messing with that thing with 6000 hrs.  

I spent too long typing my response....what did you find specifically that bothered you?

There really is no transferring of a butler machine to another van...if the van is doa, then it is just parts. Personally, that van looked pretty decent.....5k worth of new engine and you would have a real workhorse for about 12k. That wouldn't be a bad deal.