I get asked… What’s the best parking lot line striping machine to buy?…a lot.
First…”in a perfect world”…the best parking lot line striping machine to buy may be either the Graco 3400 or the Titan 2850. Here’s why…those machines allow you to stripe while walking about 3 MPH. That’s the speed we walk when we want to get home…! Bottom line here…both cost about the same. Both get great reviews. The Graco has a Honda engine…the Titan has a Subaru.
The only difference…and it may not make a difference…is the frame. You cannot attach a “Ball Hitch” to the Graco. You can to the Titan. But…these are light machines. IF…IF…you do attach a ball hitch to the Titan…to ride…it would be light in front. In other words…it would be like attaching a big…big…boat to a very small pick up truck. ( The front tires, of the truck, would really want to “pop a wheelie”. ) That’s scary. I have a word of advice here…if you are new to riding…NEVER…NEVER…turn the machine so that your hand passes your navel. ( Belly Button ) In other words…when you turn RIGHT…DO NOT allow your right hand to pass your navel. Period. Done. Picture that. Trust me.
Next…either machine is sold at your local paint store. ( It seems that every body is a dealer. ) If you do buy from your paint store…you’ll may pay local Sales Tax. That’s it. But…ask for a price. All may be well.
Neither manufacturer charges shipping on these particular machines. Do not think you need to go to some dealer who advertises; Free Shipping ! No Tax ! They’re all like that…out of state…! IF…IF…you buy from an “online” store…all is well. If it’s out of state…you’ should escape Sales Tax too. ( They all ship from MN. ) Bottom line here…if you buy from out of state…you’ll probably escape sales tax and shipping is free.
Next…that said…if the budget is tight…or…you are just a bit scared…take a look at the Graco Field Lazer ( the one with bicycle tires ) or the Titan 850. Yes…you can only walk about 1…maybe 2…MPH…but…if you have enough time…you’ll get done. AND…I’ve said this before…the best parking lot line striping machine is probably the one that get’s you started.
Keep this in mind too…all the Line Striping companies I know use the Airless fro one of these manufacturers. IF…IF…you buy one, especially the 3400 or the 2850…most of them, in your city, would buy it. So…if you paid 4K and sell if for 2500.00…you’d lose 1500.00. But…if you made 200.00 on 5 jobs…then your lose would be 500.00. BUT…you tried. And…if you buy one of these…at least you have an easier option to sell. I hope that makes sense. I hope that helps.
( As a note…Acetone Paint apparently melts the Titan’s Primer Tube…! )
Call me if you’d like to talk more. Click; Contact Me. That’ll take you to my Contact Page. You’ll find my email and phone number.
Thanks again.
Dan
