Deciding on a used engine drive

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I'm getting ready to buy a used engine drive. I'm not a professional, just a guy that needs to build some tractor implements and do some repairs around the ranch. May build a few cattle guards, but don't have any need to weld anything over 1/2" and probably a limited need for that. I had a MM252 that was great, but out here I don't have a shop to weld in and some of what I want to do won't fit in the garage, not to mention having to patch things up if they break in the field. I'm looking around Wyoming, western Nebraska and northern Colorado with a price range under $2,000. So far I've found two Miller Bobcats, a 225G and a 225NT. I've also found a 1968 Lincoln SA200, and a Hobart 16. The Hobart is the least expensive, seller is asking $800 but it has no leads and doesn't charge the battery. Looks a little beat up but servicable. The 225G is the next least expensive at $1500, comes with "long leads" but again looks a little rough. The 225NT is listed for $1700, no leads but looks pretty fair. The Lincoln is the most costly at $1800, no leads but the seller is willing to meet halfway which would cut out a few hours of drive time to go get it. I'd like to run a wire feeder off the machine in the future. From everything I've been able to find the SA200 would be the best welder, but I'm concerned about potential repair costs down the road. The seller says it has an original R57, but could be swapped for a low idle PC. What is that? The 225G seems like it could be the best deal since it does have leads and an AC generator. I don't need a backup generator for the house, but it might be nice to run tools in the field. I don't know if my Metabo grinders could run off the SA200 or not. The Hobart is appealing for the price, but it has a known charging issue and I can't find much on parts availability. The 225NT is the newest and looks nicest, but would be the most expensive by the time I travel to get it and have to buy leads for it. Seems like repair parts would be easiest to get if needed though. What would you guys suggest? Any of these, or something else entirely? I'm okay buying a machine and doing some repairs, I just don't want to be working on the welder every time I need to use it.
Reply:For the 225NT, I'm told the Kohler engine is the more desirable of the two. Not that I've had any problems with an Onan one (knock on wood), though. Can't tell you much about the others.Currently working as a Paralegal, but still interested in hobby welding.Miller Bobcat 225ntOne- Character Fractions: ¼ ½ ¾ ⅛ ⅜ ⅝ ⅞
Reply:the hobart would probly be great if it's old, but will be a "project"the sa 200 is a great stick/ tig welder, but thats about it. he means it could be upgraded to electronic idle control for about 400$ if memory serves. the only problem with them is that they are "specialized" to stick welding. it will power any 115v tool with an ac/dc rated switch, and the tag/plate/sticker on the tool should tell you something like "120v ac/dc" or "120v with a squigly line over a solid line" mostly grinders.i dont know about the lincolns, but i do know there are lots of old 225 machines out there running, but they were never awesome.the bobcat is about the same class as the old lincolns.i would look at motors for each. kohler, onan, subaru, whatever they may be, pick the one with best parts availabilitybosses stuff:trailblazer 325maxstar 200my stuff:sa 200fronius transpocket 180100 amp Lincoln w/f97 f350 DITKevin
Reply:Don't buy the Lincoln Sa-200.....Not the welder your looking for.....Won't run a Metabo and almost all drills, etc... Very little power for aux. tools.....Get something that throws AC power for your tools....
Reply:I would look at the bobcat machines leads are about $2.00 new a foot for heavy duty leads 1/0. I have run plenty of bobcats alot being higher hour machines and they still run and weld very nicely. They are no Sa 200 or Sa 250 but there is a trade off for size weigh and aux out put. Sent from my C811 4G using TapatalkVantage 300 kubota ,miller 304 xmt ,lincoln ln 25 pro , ranger 305 G, plenty of other tools of the trade to make the sparks fly.
Reply:A good friend of mine has a Lincoln 305G. I got him set up with an LN-25. He can run Mig or self shielded wire. I think the 305G puts out 10,000-watts of AC power. And it has a very nice arc!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Have a Hobart 16 AC/DC (yellowish color) has 8000 watt generator, gets job done, but does not have CV to run feeder. At work have a Hobart 16 AC/DC (gray color) has 8000 watt generator gets job done and has CV for feeder. Hobart 16 will not run Carbon Arc torch.  On both of these while welding your limited on generator side, you would have trouble running lights/grinder while welding. Also have a Miller 301 G AC/DC with CV and 10000 watt generator, with this welder you can weld and run lights/grinder at the same time and has enough power to use carbon arc torch. On the Lincoln SA200 great pipe welder, but is DC only and can not weld and run lights and no CV for feeder.If it  were me would get a machine that has CV for feeder and where you can weld and run lights/grinder at same time without affecting weld and can also handle  carbon arc torch. The Lincoln 305 G and miller trailblazer will do this, they cost more but worth the cost. If I had the money would get a Lincoln Vantage 300 or 400 this machine can do weld , run lights,grinder and use carbon arc torch. It is also diesel engine and great on fuel.Last edited by guajilloweld03; 02-01-2016 at 07:44 AM.
Reply:Thanks for the input, it sounds like the Hobart and Lincoln aren't the machines I'm looking for. Were there any problems with the older generations of Bobcats like the 225G with the Onan? Is the 225NT enough of an upgrade to be worth the extra cost?
Reply:Originally Posted by 56FordGuyThanks for the input, it sounds like the Hobart and Lincoln aren't the machines I'm looking for. Were there any problems with the older generations of Bobcats like the 225G with the Onan? Is the 225NT enough of an upgrade to be worth the extra cost?
Reply:I have a new Bobcat with a Kohler, been nothing but trouble since it was 3 weeks old.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPA good friend of mine has a Lincoln 305G. I got him set up with an LN-25. He can run Mig or self shielded wire. I think the 305G puts out 10,000-watts of AC power. And it has a very nice arc!
Reply:just so you know, the SA200 has about 10 amps DC auxiliary power. Plenty to run most any portable hand tool you will likely run, but the tool has to be DC or AC/DC rated. Lots of tools are still rated for Dc use just look at the label and if you don't see one look on line. Example, many places sell the Milwaukee porta band that is variable speed and not DC rated but Milwaukee still makes the 2 speed model that is DC rated. The R57 is the auto idler that slows the engine when not welding and will not auto idle up with the grinder load, an electronic idler will sense grinder load and speed the welder up as needed. You don't need that unless you are a long ways away from the machine, just set the high idle up un the R57 and weld / grind away. As for mig welding what do you want to weld? The Sa will run flux core pretty well but you won't be welding sheet metal with it. Lots of repair parts and easy to repair are major pluses for the Sa200. Good luck with your purchase and keep us posted.
Reply:I had a Bobcat 225G that I bought in boxes due to a thrown rod.  I was able to polish the crank, install a new rod and piston and used it for several years.  I have been around a lot of Onan engines in Lawn and garden equipment and they do seem to fly apart more than other brands of engines.  When they do run they run good.  I had a chance to buy a good used Trailblazer 301G with a Kohler engine.  It runs smoother than the Onan did and the trail blazer arc is much better.  The only engine problem I have had was with the voltage regulator going bad.  Maybe some day I will get a 302 but this one works great.Dan D.Manipulator Of Metal
Reply:Well, I ended up with a machine. A member here put me in touch with a gentleman in Wyoming that deals in small engine drives, and he had a Bobcat 225NT with 1,300 hours on it ready to go. He also had a couple of Rangers, but they were much lower hours and out of my price range. The Bobcat has the Onan, and was supposedly used as a generator by a local pole barn builder. It came with a set of 50' quick disconnect leads, looks fair and welds nicely. Next project is to build a skid to put everything on and protect it.
Reply:Sounds like it should work fine for your needs. There are a few skid builds on here to look through for some neat ideas."You can't out puke a buzzard"
Reply:I've been looking at lots of skid builds and have a few ideas. I have to keep mine under 35" wide so it will fit in my work truck, were it not for that I'd probably trailer mount it. A friend of mine bought a pickup bed trailer dirt cheap and put a used top/ shell on it and has an enclosed trailer that's ideal for a welder. I don't want to have to tag another trailer though, and my work truck has no hitch so I'm looking at a skid/ roll cage I can move with the pallet forks on the tractor. I think I'm settled on a design, I just have to acquire the steel and build it.
Reply:Parts for Onan engines are getting hard to find, but Terry at www.onanparts.com can sell you just about anything you will need, except a new crank case (don't run it until it throws a rod).CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.