[Misc] opinion on mx-m453/503?

[kirkeb]

Title is what it says. What is the opinion of you Sharp techs on the MX-M453 and 503 machines? We are looking at adding a new customer that would be running 300,000 copies/month spread across six machines so roughly 50,000/machine. We have some customers doing that on MX-M450's now. I woud tend to lean to the MX-M503 but we haven't had any of these in the field yet. Would the 453/503 handle 50k a month or should we look at a different model? How about the inner finisher vs the freestanding finishers?

Thanks for your replies

[DavePo]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

We have several doing in the upper 30's to mid 40's per month. Nothing unusual as far as service issues. Only pain is maint. The fact being there is at least 8-10 items needed to do the maint. Also the fuser takes a little while until you get the hang of it to rebuild.

[harleyrider]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

Only thing I would add is the inner finishers are crap. We don't rebuild the fusers we replace as a unit. They come with the web ass'y included.

[kirkeb]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

Thanks for replies. So 50k/month 9 to 10 months out of year for three years (customer is a school system) would be doable?

[DavePo]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

Thanks for replies. So 50k/month 9 to 10 months out of year for three years (customer is a school system) would be doable?

Definitly. We have five in schools and mostly run maint to maint with few calls in between.

[mojorolla]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

I am going to agree with my colleagues but say 50k a month is the upper threshold for this machine. As to the finishers, the outer FN10 is absolute crap; avoid that thing like the plague. The inner FN9 finisher is a decent box but is very prone to noise and squeals; clean and lube at PMs. Second transfer units tend to go around +600k as they reside under the fuser and the plastic gets brittle and snaps. With a 200k PM cycle, that's every 2 months. Although more expensive, the 623-753 would be preferred in my opinion, ESPECIALLY in a school system. The thing is a tank, can handle 100k/month easily, and the waste toner is built into the toner cartridge.
However, I understand getting "more bang for your buck" with the 503.

Having worked on bids for school system, their figures can be misleading. I can tell you at the beginning and end of the year, volumes will skyrocket, due to lesson plans and finals. Teachers will break parts you have never ordered or will ever have to order again. They make an art form out of destroying and abusing copy machines. You will spend a lot on parts.
Also ensure the deal had built in minimums. If they close schools and/or lay off teachers, you can lose your shirt.

My 2 cents.

[Silvertoast]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

they are great machines, the only problem we have had (we have alot in the field) is the main paper feed drive will start to chirp and need to be replaced. very easy to do though.

also as far as the fuser, when rebuilding dont bother rebuilding the web unit. use part mx-410wc (this is the web unit for a color machine but works perfectly on the 453-503 all u have to do is swap the wire harness from the old to the new each time u reaplace it.) simple 2 screws and the harness comes off.

[glewisme]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

You can also use. Part # CFRM-1425DS52 it the part # for the entire web assembly in the parts manual! Though they do cost more than the MX410WC

[andyt2107]

Re: opinion on mx-m453/503?

they are great machines, the only problem we have had (we have alot in the field) is the main paper feed drive will start to chirp and need to be replaced. very easy to do though.

also as far as the fuser, when rebuilding dont bother rebuilding the web unit. use part mx-410wc (this is the web unit for a color machine but works perfectly on the 453-503 all u have to do is swap the wire harness from the old to the new each time u reaplace it.) simple 2 screws and the harness comes off.

yep only way to go