Chief 11 Truckmount

[Spurlington]

There's a guy in town who's been sittin on a 3 yr old van with a 3 year old chief 2 that has 35 hrs on it. He bought it to have someone run it that decided not to. It's looks amazing and in new condition.

The only issue I see is the engine keeps shutting down. Won't stay started for more than 30 seconds. No water in the waste tank. Fuel filter half full. Oil to the full level.

Any ideas why it won't stay on? Any idea of a fair purchase price. Comes with an electric hose reel and 250 feet of hoses. 4ht heater has a cracked coil from freezing.

I don't want the van - he has an offer on the van only and I'm interested in the machine.

Thanks !!

 

[Russ T.]

Marty's all about the Chief II.

Looks like a simple and solid machine for a guy who isn't afraid to tinker a little.

If the LP heater is cracked, there may be other issues related to a freeze up. Pumps and fittings need to be checked with pressure to make sure they are okay.

If he's been sitting on it for a while he's probably either ripe to get rid of it or unwilling to budge much on the price???

 

[Spurlington]

Ive already mentioned a 10% deprieciation per year whether he used it or not. He was like yeah I know so at min Ive subtracted 30% off price of brand new. I also mentioned the possibility of compromising all parts related to water and the freezing of the equipment. Even if it aint leaking now, there could be a hairline waiting to burst under pressure. Im sure as it was freezing, something was expanding and may be near bursting at anytime. Im considering that in what Id like to pay. I was thinking adding up all parts related to water as if I would imediately replace then subtract that from the price of new along with the depreciation figure.

 

[Russ T.]

I had my Chem Tex freeze up once when our power went out. I mean freeze up. Even the few gallons in my rinse were frozen solid.

I panicked bad.

Turned out the only thing needing replaced was the ag pump that fed my water box with fresh water. It leaked bad once everything was thawed out.

I ran it for probably 500 more hours without issue before selling it a few months back.

I'd probably replace the Little Giant with new if the coils have cracked.

 

[Spurlington]

Guy said new coil is $1200 4HT .. it might be fine but I cant keep the machine running long enough to run it with pressure.

 

[Russ T.]

I'd call the guys at TCS and see what they think.

I'm sure you can bypass the heater pretty easy to test pressure??

Maybe put the gas line direct to a gas can to see if it's wanting to draw fuel?

Sounds like a gamble but sometimes that's how you get a great deal.

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

You don't buy it I might be interested in the machine.

 

[Spurlington]

You don't buy it I might be interested in the machine.

Do you need a van too? Hes looking to get rid of another van that has nothing in it. The van that the machine is in is a 3yr old Nissan NV 2500 high top with 4K miles. The other van is a 2011 with 80K miles. What are you looking to pay for it. Im not 100% unless its a steal. If I cant steal it, Id give him your contact info.

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

Im a steal kind of person I have a older chevy 12 ft box truck I would like to replace for flood work . He can email me photo 's

 

[mirf]

Try $3500 for the machine and you take it out.

 

[Spurlington]

Im a steal kind of person I have a older chevy 12 ft box truck I would like to replace for flood work . He can email me photo 's

youd like it .. 175 gallon tank

Try $3500 for the machine and you take it out.

that would prolly insult him .. id prolly end up with a black eye

 

[mirf]

You don't know whats frozen or not. He will have a hard time selling the van with a broken machine in it.
How much do you think it is going to take to get it running?

 

[hogjowl]

The engine problem is probably nothing more than the result of sitting up with ethanol gas in it. Have the carburetor cleaned and it will be good to go.

 

[Dolly Llama]

that would prolly insult him

maybe.....but honestly, Dave's suggested offer isn't too far off the mark.
It's not a brand new unit (don't care how many hours are one it)
It's a three year old TM that won't run and has freeze damage

$4500 tops

..L.T.A.

 

[KevinL]

Don't fix it and then make an offer. Low ball him and then get it fixed. It has to be something easy if it starts at all.

 

[Goomer]

The only issue I see is the engine keeps shutting down. Won't stay started for more than 30 seconds.

Is the gas also 3 years old?

 

[Spurlington]

Is the gas also 3 years old?

Haha - yeah, it probably is !!

 

[Goomer]

Drain/flush/fill the ENTIRE fuel system, INCLUDING THE CARBURETOR AND BOWL with fresh gas with a double dose/Gal of Seafoam before you even consider troubleshooting it any further.

 

[rick imby]

There is no reason to buy any used non working Truckmount you do not need if you do not get a screaming deal on it.

Play the broke guy that would like to buy it but can only come up with $3500. I don't want to insult you but I am nervous about the frozen pump, heater and the motor not running. Then leave him your phone number and say call me. Near the end of the month he may give you a call.

 

[GeneMiller]

Marty and frank are right. Everything's gummed up because of the old gas. Pull the air filter and turn it over. Does it smell like lacquer.

Gene

 

[Steve Lawrence]

Risky purchase. Don't offer much. If you steal it, fine. If you don't get it, fine.

 

[-JB-]

I talked to the guy, nice guy doing A LOT of good things to support a lot of people, I'm afraid he got more than he bargained for on this deal, $42k is steep IMO, he says he'll come down, I suspect MAYBE 10%; beyond that he'll likely sit on it... justahuch.

He says it's a "real money maker." I'd agree...

Owner one $68,000.00
Owner two $ 58,000.00
Owner three $ 49,000.00
Him, current owner $ 38,000.00 ?
Next owner $ 40,000.00

If he sells it, it will have made nearly $250,000.00 and hasn't even popped 50 hrs yet, or made it to it's first oil change; THAT is a money maker all right.

I hope he sells it, I really do, but I hope he's realistic and keeps the van for his other business and dumps that albatross of a machine in it.

I will say it's got curb appeal, so kudos at the salesmen at http://www.tcsatl.com/chief.html or who,ever it was for designing an appealing enough graphic to draw the eye of anyone driving by.

 

[hogjowl]

Your writing style leaves much to be desired, and I am completely confused at what message you were attempting to communicate, but knowing you, it was negative. While I admit there's not much "pretty" about a TCS machine, "pretty" is something a carpet cleaner shouldn't even blink at in relation to his machine and equipment. Functionality is key. That machine is a $24,000 machine brand new, fully packaged out with a pump out. I suppose the figures you were quoting included the van price. I haven't been following this thread in a while, and I'm not wasting my time to go back and see what it's about, but if that is a properly functioning machine, make an offer on it, but talk to me about the specifics of it before you do.

 

[Desk Jockey]

The machine is a lot prettier than that van. Geeez that dude is ugly!

I almost ordered one when they came out.

 

[-JB-]

What year did that van come out? Had to near 2012 right?

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

He will never get close to that money!

 

[GeneMiller]

I'm still trying to figure out how he made 250,000 off of it.


Gene

 

[hogjowl]

I'm still trying to figure out how he made 250,000 off of it.


Gene

The same way Coles girlfriend made $17,000 the first week in business.

 

[Ralph Pastorelli]

$20,000 tops for the van and machine if the Chief is in perfect working order maybe $22k.

 

[hogjowl]

$20,000 tops for the van and machine if the Chief is in perfect working order maybe $22k.

$15,000 for the machine, even if in perfect condition. I like them, but they're not worth $24,000 any more than a 570 is worth $34,000