I don't know much about engine drive welders but from what I've been reading the Ranger has a much better welding arc than the Bobcat.

 

Here's a u tube video.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4Wp-wDuFo[/ame]

 

Here's a u tube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4Wp-wDuFo

DANG the miller looks better built that's for sure

 

that's what people have told me also I want to test both out some time and see how the arc is I was trained on millers but dad has always had Lincoln's he was a pipeliner in the 70's .
to me im not partial red or blue what ever one works better for the job

also ill be doing mobile welding on farm equipment and other repair jobs . ive also had people tell me that some pipeline jobs require a diesel truck and welder is that true and why is that ?

 

Miller's front engine design could be a pain to work on. The video was unfair as they were comparing a bobcat 250 to the base model ranger 225. The ranger 250 weighs about 75 pounds more than the 225 or the bobcat 250.

 

Go back and look at it again, both units are 225 models. Also both of them have the engine on the opposite end from the control panel. Judging just from what is presented in this video, it looks like the Bobcat is the better choice. Whether it is or not can be debated further on here.

 

If it where my choice it would be between the TB325 and the ranger305 much more comparble, and they will without a doubt weld pipe if you choose to go that rout.

 

I really like the 305 and 325 but they only run DC can you get it to run AC as well ?

 

No but i have a TB302 for about half year now i have 300hrs on it and i have yet to use the AC output on it. I also could be wrong on this but i don't think the 250 ranger uses Chopper technology so it wont weld as nice as the Ranger305 or TB325. Diesel is safer and more available on some sites that's why the prefer you to have a diesel welder and truck.

 

ok thanks for the input man this is going to be a hard choice

 

A couple other things to consider are:

Do you plan to TIG aluminum? (need AC weld output, remote amp control a plus)
Do you plan to use a spool gun? (weld output contactor a big plus)

 

I was blue to the core Duane till I was looking to personally buy a engine drive for myself. Minus the a/c power my Lincoln 305G will weld circles around any Miller engine drive in its class. I used to borrow a 302 airpak from a friend, and at work we have a whole pile of miller drives. It hurt me guys trust me, I own 6 miller machines personally and deep down inside I knew where my money was better spent. Positive sides to either direction you choose, we're all individuals tho. My toss up was between the Ranger and the trailblazer tho. Just my opinion tho so take it for what you paid for it :laugh:

 

see which one sells the cheaper feeder like the ln 25 or the activ 8 or millers suitcase feeders then see who sells parts local to you like for me i walk into any welding store i could buy damn near everything miller the only lincoln thing is rods and wire sometimes so welding helmets or gloves this is just another factor

 

You gotta try them both. Get the one that runs the way you want. I don't think you will go wrong with either. If you get the RED one, just buy a MILLER BLUE cover for it. :blob3::blob3:

 

I have a Trailblazer 302 and i have a 30A gun but it has a 10 pin plug the welder has a 14 pin is there any way to configer it so it works Duane55????? A welder tech in Edmonton makes harnesses for Lincolns so that you are able to use a 30Amiller gun.

 

Must be talking about Jeff (cruizer)?

Trailblazer/SM-30A uses the WC-24 to convert 24VAC from the TB 14-pin to 30VDC+ required by the spoolgun and controls voltage to the gun motor based on the position of the guns WFS setting.

The Lincoln 14-pin has a nominal 42V (40-46V) output. I could guess about what Jeff does in his harnesses but haven't looked into it.

 

Must be talking about Jeff (cruizer)?.

Yup that's him,


But my 30a gun has a 10 pin plug will i be able to hook it up to a WC-24 cable?

 

As I said - not sure how Jeff is setting up his harness to hook up the 30A to a Lincoln.

The WC-24 has a 14-pin input that plugs into the Miller 14-pin (which is different than the Lincoln 14-pin) and a 10-pin receptacle for the gun harness 10-pin to plug into.

A number of Miller machines have a 10-pin receptacle and the necessary control circuitry within the machine for WFS drive motor control to allow direct connection of the 30A to the machine without the need for the WC-24.

 

You must be talkin new machine and that would be the ranger 250gxt that has ac out put the older ranger 250 has no ac out put but does have the chopper techknowledgy and a downhill pipe mode.....

 

think cruizers cables will allow you to run a miller 30a gun on a Lincoln designed to run the Lincoln/Prince gun. Your trailblazer wasn't designed to directly run a spoolgun. Doesn't have run in control for the spoolgun. I would think you would have a lot of hard, messy starts.

 

yes im talking about the new 250 from Lincoln I do want to run a spool I just don't see how you spend the money for these dang welders and there is no AC on the 305 or 325 .
prob wont run much aluminum but would love to have the ability if I had to

 

Ranger hands down weve' got two and they carbon arc better than a Bobcat, and turn right around and have a smoother arc for vertical and overhead. Used an ln-25 pro Suitcase on our 250 Ranger Yesterday and with some Lincoln .045 select 71 flux core and 75/25 welded 1 inch to 2 inch plate vertical for 12 feet.

Swanny

 

I personally am a Miller fan and have a Bobcat even with the AC and High freq 251. I find myself using the AC side of the machine more for AC stick welding rods like 6013 etc. Most of your stick welding will probably be done on DC anyhow. I do however think the Lincoln LN 25 is a nicer suitcase then the Miller super 32p suitcase that I own........Either way you decide I think you will be happy....Good luck and enjoy your purchase !!:drinkup:

 

Im running the trailblazer 275...love the arc. also am running an ln25 and a spoolmatic 30a