Why do all non pipeliners run bobcats?

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I've been much more observant on welders recently and it seems to me that everyone who doesn't appear to be a pipeliner has a bobcat...
Reply:Careful on the use of them absolutes, I don't do much pipe and I don't have any Bobcats. I do have a Ranger 8 & 9 and a Trailblazer
Reply:Has everything to do with $ and the right tool for the job.  A new gas bobcat 250 is around $3,400 these days.  A new Lincoln 200D around $13,000.  I think the Vantages are around $10,000.  The bobcats, trailblazers, rangers etc all have really good auxillary power.  Making them great generators which can run plasma cutters and other tools for field fabrication.  While these welders make an OK arc for general welding, your pipeliner welders and vantages are going to be your go-to machine for pipe fabrication and on pipelines.  The small-framed welder/generators are also a favorite for service trucks because they can be bolted down on either side of the truck, on top of the tool boxes.  While service truck operators may put just a few hours a week on their welder, the typical pipeliner is using his machine 60 + hours/week.  Your slower turning diesels will also last much longer than the high reving gas bobcats.  Hopefully this will help.
Reply:For many, many years Lincoln has dominated the pipe line welder market but Miller has started to take a foothold in that segment lately. As far as non pipeliners go, you see more Millers than you do Lincolns due almost exclusivly to marketing prowess. Miller is head and shoulders above Lincoln when it comes to product marketing. Both Miller and Lincoln welders are very good product and gennerally you just need to choose which one has the features that best suit your needs.  Another reason very well could be Miller's customer service. Miller takes very good care of thier customers and Lincoln most certainly could step up in that department. JMHO. Others may have a different perspective.StephenMillermatic 251Miller Syncrowave 200Miller 30A SpoolgunHypertherm Powermax 30Etc., etc., etc.............Cancer Sucks!
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardCareful on the use of them absolutes, I don't do much pipe and I don't have any Bobcats. I do have a Ranger 8 & 9 and a Trailblazer
Reply:I'm on my second Bobcat, both bought new. Locally, they run $2900 for a 225 with the Kohler engine. They will run reliably for thousands of hours. They are light weight too and small.And most importantly, they are one hell of a generator. You can run every tool you need in a field environment from a chop saw, drills, lights, to a coffee pot. I ran my entire house one Christmas when the power went out for a couple of days. I even ran the Christmas lights and TV so my daughters could watch movies and have the full Christmas experience.I know the SA200 is the end all for welding performance and the Bobcat is not, but in the middle of a remote area, the lack of AC power on the big Lincoln makes them not fit for my line of work.Kevin- Springtown, TexasTruck:Chevy cab/ chassis 1 ton dually, big block and flatbedMiller BobcatVictor cutting rigTool boxes crammed full of stuffShop:Millermatic 250Lincoln 135Lincoln 225AC tombstone
Reply:We have Millers due to our Shop having an Account with Airgas.. Shop Price for Bobcat 250 $3200Shop Price for Ranger 250 $3400Bean-counters made up their minds...I have my Miller Killer sticker on the back door of the truck though....Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:noiseweight and space on a truckengine lifespanengine lifespan at high amp usagearc quality needs or non needssome sites wont allow gasoline enginesfuel economywhich would a company rather have stolen off a service rig- a 3200 dollar bobcat or a 14000 dollar vantage or pipe pro? Just enough machine for the task.
Reply:No more Bobcats for me...all Trailblazer now. Tons more versatile for me. Plus, with my record with Lincoln, it will be a cold day in Hell before they get any more of my money.QamuIs Heg qaq law' lorvIs yInqaq puS
Reply:Question: If a Gas gen/Welder and a Diesel Gen/Welder both weld and generate AC power, how does the diesel turn slower, but still supply 60 cycle power?Sorry if this is a stupid question. Probably the way the armature and fields are arranged, yes?-az-
Reply:You answered your own question.  Frequency output of an AC Generator (or Alternator) is a function of pairs of poles and revolutions per minute.So diesel powered alternators are built with more pairs of poles to make up for lower rotational speeds.Last edited by nadogail; 02-01-2011 at 02:51 PM.Reason: Spelling
Reply:No more Bobcats for me...all Trailblazer now.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmallWhat do you prefer about the Trailblazer and what engine does yours have?
Reply:There isn't any way I'd go out and try and get a pipeline job, unless I lost my job. So  don't see myself ever owning a a SA-200, BUT I do see myself owning a trailblazer 302 or similiar (I have actually been considering it lately), the features that these machines have (multi-process even AC TIG, big power generators, 3 phase weld output) really make them appealing and the price is very right. Maybe that can put it into perspective, its mostly a $ and feature thing. If someone was to beat on their machine a day everyday and only need stick and scratch start DC tig the SA-200 would most likely be a better choice.
Reply:I run a TB302 EFI.  I know there are a few sites I cannot get into with it but if you catch a guy that has ever used a TB302 they know they are close to the big boys for general service and repair welding.I looked at an SA and a Vantage but I wanted AC, I don't use it that much but when I need it I am glad I have it.  That only left the Big 40, which is bigger than what I needed/wanted.  I also prefer the EFI when it is -20 over the diesel machines.  Even with the heaters they are still more work.TB 302 EFIESAB Migmaster 275MM 211 w/Spoolmate 100Hypertherm PlasmaMetal Master, Victor, and Smith TorchesUnihydro 45Wells BandsawArcair K2000Weldcraft Tig rigMiller 12VSLincoln PT 225No one can say I'm brand biased.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hank33I also prefer the EFI when it is -20 over the diesel machines.  Even with the heaters they are still more work.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hank33I looked at an SA and a Vantage but I wanted AC, I don't use it that much but when I need it I am glad I have it.  That only left the Big 40, which is bigger than what I needed/wanted.
Reply:I never pipelined a day in my life. I did do a lot of pipe work. Tank batteries, flow lines, waterflood stations and piping, gas production and compressor systems to name some. There was always a Lincoln SA 200 sitting on the back of the truck. Just don't plug a varible speed tool or a flourescent light into it and you are OK.When I un-retired and went back to work part time for 5 years I bought a Ranger 250. I don't do blue with portable machines. I did have a 450 amp Miller mig that was sweet though.