I chose an All American over a Tuff, because of certain features I wanted.
As I recall.......
I ordered mine from Mark back in March. It looks similar to the pic Mark posted, except I didn't buy the trailer, just the washer.
I wanted a Honda 20 with a General Pump and at least 5 gpm. Tuff was offering a version with a Legacy pump, at 5.6gpm, with a Vanguard 16. I don't even know what a Legacy pump is....maybe it's a C-Tec** housebrand.
For some reason, when Tuff coupled the 20hp Honda with a General TS2021 pump, it was only rated at 4.7gpm. They must slow the pump down which results in a lower gom. I felt that I needed at least 5+ gpm.
I decided to look at the All American line. I was able to get the Honda 20 with the General pump, and get 5+ gpm. I also decided to go with 120v over 12v. So a Winco gen was added.
Came with dual 18 gallon fuel tanks, which is a major plus.
I've got about 200 hours on my machine, and have not had a problem. The layout of the skid offers good serviceability to all major components.
So far I have only two issues with the All American. The first being that the oil is messy to change with the Honda engine because the drainplug is situated so that the draining oil has to run down the frame before I can catch it in a pan. And Honda does not offer a remote oil drain kit.
The other problem is that the frame of the skid itself does not allow for the machine to be lifted by forks on a hi-lo. I had to set the skid on top of some 4x4, and bolt the whole thing down that way, so I can get the forks under it if needed.
Those issues are rather minor, and more of inconvieniances rather than problems. But they bother me, especially changing the oil, and needing half a roll of paper towels to sop up the oil that runs all over the frame.
11 gallon tanks would never work for me. There is no way I want to have to carry around extra 5 gallon tanks of fuel that I'll have to pour into a hot machine, in an enclosed trailer, in the middle of a job.
At 180 degrees, I can run for about 10-11 hours on one tank. At 194 degrees, the fuel is gone in 7 hours. Water temp is the big factor that determines how much fuel you'll burn. Hotter=thirstier.
I've had no problems with it, so I really don't know how they handle warranty issues. However, I have good confidence in Mark, and I feel that he would be there if I call and need assistance.
I found that by the time I equipped my machine the way I wanted it, with the specific parts I wanted, the difference in price was not an issue. Sure the Tuff at $2995 sounded good at first, but it's a 12v machine, and after the upgraded parts are installed, the price is considerably more.
IMHO it is better to pay a little extra $$ upfront and get the components you know and want, rather than settle on whatever is included in an introductory priced machine.
