Graco 3900 vs 3400

I'd say get both. Sell one of your 5900's and downsize. It is probably rare that you need the pump capacity of the 5900's unless you are spraying a lot of jobs that require the use of 2 X23 (or larger) tips at one time. The 5900's are heavy even compared to the 3900 and the 3400 is featherweight and the 3400 cleans out very quickly due to the small diameter suction system on it. You won't go wrong with either machine but as mentioned above, there is not an easy way to set up a 2nd gun mount on the 3400 (we do it custom but it costs just under $1k) and there is no standard hitch mount for the 3400 if you use ride on drivers.

I agree with you ware-ever and RandyV as to the benefit of using a rider system if desired but as for glass beads on a 3400, I have a solid working bead system on my 3400 for many years. It uses the Graco 6 inch dispenser head and my own hopper and mounting design. Using it even this day and works like a charm. As for a second gun use, the standard pump on the 3400 machine just can't handle it with 2 .019 tips. The gallons per minute flow would not yield good results.

Quoting ware-ever, July 30, 2015 (that post is not in this thread):

Although you could possibly modify the 3400 to use with a pusher, the 3900 is ready to go. You can also use a double gun set up and glass bead dispensers with the 3900. You may not think you have a use for these options now but you can never tell what the future holds. As far as the budget, all it will cost you to get the 3900's over the 3400s is a couple of decent sized jobs which it sounds like you already have. I vote for the 3900s. You may regret purchasing the 3400 but not the 3900s. I have seven 3400 rigged for pushers, not hard to set up just need some rectangular tubing and U clamps, run the tubing underneath 'til almost to the front wheel and clamp it to the frame then put the ball hitch on it. By running it as far forward as possible you put the wight of the pusher on the front most of the machine and lesson the tendency of the front popping up unintentionally.

Fantastic idea straightline! I pictured it in my mind and it can't fail! As you know, there is not much room on the 3400 frame to play with for accessories. With your idea, the leverage is exactly as you describe- to the front or the heavier end. I take my hat off to you on that one! I suppose 1 1/2 by 1 1/2 inch square tubing should be fine? They also have on the market square U bolts to grab the 90 degree edges better than the rounded ones. How about the beads issue? Have you been able to design a glass hopper system on any or all of them if needed? If not, let me know.

The hook up is the same idea as a goose neck trailers, put the weight at the axle or in front of it and it doesn't lift the front end. You can use what ever fits and is available, as with all things it may need a few adjustments to get it where you like it. I have two guns on all of mine, one for each side, but no beader.

straightline, other than the obvious plumbing changes for 2 gun operation on the 3400's, I know you must also drop down in tip size as well. Now for 1 gun I use a .319. To convert to 2 gun, you must go down to .317 on both? I did not realize the pump as is could handle double gun setup? If you would like me to take some pics of my bead hopper system, just drop me a line. There are a few holes to drill but you seem to be very resourceful to design and implement your own ideas too as well as many others in the trade and on this forum! Thanks for your input on the double gun 3400. By the way, you are using the "stock" pump?

Most often the second gun is used for the capability of spraying on either side of a machine to get next to an obstacle. So since you are only spraying one at a time there is no need to drop tip sizes. If you are spraying a double line like center lines or a Costco lot I believe you would find the bigger pump and hoses on the 3900 a good investment. The 3900 is just a good all round machine.

It's the stock pump, I only use the double gun to have a gun on each side, I don't think it will shoot 2 lines at the same time without smaller tips. The only thing you need for two guns is a high pressure T, don't get the thin walled one or it will blow out..

Milt wrote on Aug 1, 2015:Go to #7

The 3900 is just a good all round machine.

Oh, OK straightline! I did not realize from the talk that only 1 gun was or could be used at a time. I believed that 2 somehow could be rigged up to shoot a double line. Now, I understand from you and Milt that this machine can only shoot a single line at a time. The .75GPM rating just cannot handle any more with any size tip Thanks all for clearing that up.

It can handle double lines with a much smaller tip and you have to go real slow. I do a lot of apartments and parking garages and getting all the idiots to move their cars is almost impossible so being able to shoot from either side without having to move the gun over is a real time saver. Sometimes the dealer will argue with you when you try to get a second gun kit because this machine doesn't have one, just order the gun kit for the bigger machine.

I'm all for time saving! It's still a great idea for such a small capacity machine. I know what you mean about residents moving their cars out of your way. I now do townhouse communities and go through the same problems. Even with the STOP Bars! They park around the 90 degree corners wherever they can? Using a .317 tip or even smaller and having to walk pretty slow sort of defeats the time saving feature to me though? Thanks straightline and thankyou too Milt!

it works fine if you're just shooting one line at a time, just don't expect it to shoot a double line as fast. I have used 2 machines to shoot a double line.

It does not have a small pump on it. You can run a 327 in it of you want to run.

Yes but as a single line only with up to a 327. I used the 3400 with a 623 for a crosswalk and it was great.