Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

[raffprint]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Yes well cain indeed.. He just emailed me and said the copier he will replace this one with is the Ricoh C6000.. Is this a good machine?

[raffprint]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

That was suppose to say Well said indeed.. lol

[Shadow1]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

The C6000 has some issues that bring techs out on a regular basis. Mostly we have to clean the charge rollers, vacuum out excess lube that accumulates between drum blades, and force add extra toner, but if you do your own maintenance you'll be ok with this machine. It will produce better images in general than what you have and it will feed and fuse heavy or coated paper better.

I do need to stress this machine has a habit of producing washed out images after the developer starts going wonky, and we haven't found a perfect fix for that yet, but there are things that help with all of the noted problems.

I also need to note that a PM on this machine will make professional techs cringe, but if you're comfortable with a screwdriver that may not be a problem. At your print volume I'd say you need to pull the PCU's down about once a month to vacuum the excess lube and clean the charge rollers (There's only 3 - black uses corona wires, which would have saved so much trouble if Ricoh used wires on all 4 PCU's). Drums never look good in this machine, but you'll learn what one looks like just before it goes bad, and if you rebuild the PCU's one at a time you'll probably only have to do one every 3 or 4 months once you get them staggered. The fuser is a different story - It typically has a long life, but it's a megabitch to PM and you'll likely find chewed up gears even though they're metal.

Even having said all that it was intended as a light production machine, and you'll be much happier with it. See if you can negotiate a parts only maintenance agreement, and get a good service manual - the procedure for changing developer is very specific and must be completed properly. (Let's see if Paul is awake - any bets how long it takes him to post a link?)

[TonerMunkeh]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

If you take this MPC6000 on without a service contract - God help you.

The Venus is far too tetchy to be serviced (no offence intended) by an end user. They're bad enough for qualified techs to service.

[raffprint]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Oh boy, now you guy's are scaring me out of this machine.. lol The problem is, after this issue is resolved, I want nothing to do with this vendor anymore. I don't trust them at all!! I could see if this other dealer that sells the Savin brand would hook me up with maintenance. Another problem might be that this is a used machine, but it does have less than 100K on the counter. I'm going to make sure it's all serviced before it enters my shop, but then again, if I can't trust them for a service contract, how can I be sure they will service it before they bring it to me.. Oh the joys of this industry.. lol It won't be available until August to get anyways.. You guy's are always great with advice and an occasional laugh.. Thanks!!!

[TonerMunkeh]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

At 100k it won't need anything apart from it's waste emptying, ACC running and the oil supply cleaning roller in the fuser scrubbing. They do run like tanks if you set them up right.

[raffprint]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Ok more questions after looking at prices on supplies and parts for this machine. BTW, I did find out later today this is the Lanier version of the Ricoh which is the LD260C.. What is the copy count at which the transfer belt unit needs replaced? That is a very expensive part and it may be worth it to get a parts maintenance contract on it if I can. The drum units and developer I saw go to 450,000. What about the fuser unit? I didn't see any of that listed as parts, just picker fingers, shaft guide plates and stripper plate assembly.

[Shadow1]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

PM schedule an Parts list according to Ricoh... You'll need more - especially in the fuser.

D014 PM.pdf
D014 PM Parts.pdf

The LD160c / LC155 was a much easier machine to work on than the LD260c - IDIOT ENGINEERS should be forced to work on their own products...

[jonezy999]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

I treat the ITB as an emergency part. I always stock one, but only replace when necessary.

[raffprint]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Thanks for the PM schedule & parts list!! That fuser unit looks scary. lol I still have some time before I make a decision on this machine. It won't be available until August. My friend that sells the Savin line is trying to talk me out of this machine. He said it's $1,000 to rebuild the fuser unit, although you can put a lot of miles on it before you have to replace most of the parts.

[Herrmann]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

I have put on this Ricoh in 4 months, which is 120,000

!!!
Holy shit, 30000 a month on a 2051...

For the risk of getting tared and feathered by the ricoh guys here: you mentionend, that your dealer offers canon also, so i would suggest you to go for a canon advanced C7055 at least, runs smooth if well maintaned, also with coated materials. I have several boxes with >1,5 million clicks here in the field, no particular issues.

But a word of a warning: you will need a service contract; for the big canons as for the big ricohs also.

[Shadow1]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

I'm not going to tar and feather you for that suggestion - Fact is the smaller Ricohs don't handle heavy / coated stock particularly well, and the C7501 type machines never lived up to the hype. They're a bitch to service, and the PCU has had problems ever since the 2nd generation of this machine which Ricoh refuses to address - It will run well for the purposes here, and I've seen a lot worse, but they made this one much more difficult than it should have been, and didn't fix obvious problems when they had every opportunity.

Now if you want to get into the big dogs like a Pro C651 or Pro C901 that's a different story. I don't think you can get a better value for your money than with one of those big Ricohs.

[turbojetboy]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Thanks for the PM schedule & parts list!! That fuser unit looks scary. lol I still have some time before I make a decision on this machine. It won't be available until August. My friend that sells the Savin line is trying to talk me out of this machine. He said it's $1,000 to rebuild the fuser unit, although you can put a lot of miles on it before you have to replace most of the parts.

With your usage of thick stocks and high coverage coupled with high cq expectations you can throw the PM schedule out the window - and pretty well all of your life savings. The 6000 may do the job but once again you are expecting an office MFD to become a light production printer - I have seen this time and again and it always ends in tears. This will be my final post on this subject - however as a tech of 26 years and with the majority of my work being MPC6000 and higher I must advise you that a maintenance contract IS A MUST HAVE if you are going to go down this path - make sure it is toner inclusive with no limitations.

[wimps]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

Ye there are sales sharks out there that have no mercy for the sleeping!

[tcs04]

Re: Ricoh MPC2051 Quality Issues

With your usage of thick stocks and high coverage coupled with high cq expectations you can throw the PM schedule out the window - and pretty well all of your life savings. The 6000 may do the job but once again you are expecting an office MFD to become a light production printer - I have seen this time and again and it always ends in tears. This will be my final post on this subject - however as a tech of 26 years and with the majority of my work being MPC6000 and higher I must advise you that a maintenance contract IS A MUST HAVE if you are going to go down this path - make sure it is toner inclusive with no limitations.

Totally agree!

The MPC 6000 / 6501 series is certainly the most labour intensive range that Ricoh (Savin) produce. They tend to dump toner, not to run to pm life and take time to service. They are also much bulkier that the MPC2051 series. If you want a machine with a similar small footprint, I agree with your Savin man that the Konica Minolta colour machines (C360 up to C620) are very good, providing excellent solids and reliable results. They tend to run at at least 150% life on the units, are quick to sevice (Unit replacement) and are more reliable / versitile on heavier stock. Check the spec regarding glossy paper / card.