Welding Industries of Australia’s Aleksandr Koshelyev explains how the Miller Bobcat 265X engine welder offers a range of improvements and features that cumulate in a smoother, more efficient welding experience.
How do you improve on what is already one of the most highly regarded engine welders on the market? It’s a question that the team at Miller are asking themselves with each iteration of their machines – and the fully featured new Bobcat 265X engine welder is evidence of a company always pushing for better.
As Aleksandr Koshelyev, Product Manager – Commercial Products – Oceania at Welding Industries of Australia, puts it, the latest in the renowned Bobcat line demonstrates the value in a whole range of small details and efficiency features done right, making it a versatile and effective choice for a variety of applications across Australia.
“The Bobcat is one of the popular machines in the welding industry,” he says. “It’s been in production for many years, and it has gone through a lot of changes, which is evidence that Miller is continuously striving to improve their machines.
The new Bobcat 265X has uses across a range of sectors in Australia, including agriculture, farming, construction, infrastructure, local councils, forestry, remote metal fabrication, oil and gas, and more.
“But it’s especially well-suited to maintenance, repair and field fabrication, as well as being a powerful tool for work trucks,” Koshelyev says. “It’s great for stick welding, flux core welding, and can also power all your tools at the same time.”
More control when you’re remote
Engine-driven welders are essential for users working away from conventional power sources, and the Bobcat 265X is designed with these remote jobs in mind.
“I’d say most of the jobs in Australia for welding contractors are remote,” says Koshelyev. “This is the machine for them, designed and built for rugged, on-the-go use.”
The Bobcat 265X boasts a 41.6-litre fuel tank, which offers around 10 hours of welding on a full tank. For operators needing extended run times, this is more than sufficient for a full day’s work, minimising downtime for refuelling. Additionally, the Bobcat 265X has a smaller footprint and is more than 50kg lighter than previous models, making it easier to transport and manoeuvre on job sites. This compact design also means users have extra space in their vehicles for additional equipment, adding convenience and flexibility.
But it’s the machine’s remote start/stop feature where the overall efficiency of the package starts to get interesting.
“It’s a very simple feature, but it adds a lot of value for the customer,” Koshelyev says. “You can remotely start and shut down the machine from a handheld fob device, which gives you visual and audio feedback, so you know the signal has reached the machine.
“Quite often on remote sites, the machine could be 100m away from where you’re actually working. This feature eliminates the need to walk back and forth, which saves time, fuel, and wear on the machine and its parts. It all contributes to better work efficiency.”
The ArcReach difference
Pairing the Bobcat 265X with a compatible Miller wire feeder or accessory opens up another level of efficiency thanks to ArcReach technology.
“While remote start and stop controls the internal combustion engine, ArcReach allows you to also remotely adjust parameters and processes straight from the weld joint, Koshelyev says. “So you don’t have to walk back to the machine itself to make those adjustments.
“Quite often when you start welding, you need to make little tweaks to find the perfect balance between the welding parameters. That’s the key advantage of ArcReach – it keeps the welder at the joint. This not only saves a lot of time, but it also helps the welder deliver the best possible job. They’ll be working with the perfect parameters from the start, which means a higher quality welding joint.
“The combination of ArcReach and remote start/stop is very powerful – it provides a huge overall benefit to users.”
A smoother experience, a better weld
Beneath the Bobcat 265X’s refined exterior lies a key engineering upgrade. The model uses inverter technology to supply welding power, which enhances control over welding parameters and even reduces energy consumption.
Koshelyev explains: “The inverter provides a smooth, continuous arc, making the welding experience smooth and stable from the very start.”
On the power side, the machine’s auxiliary generator is rated at a peak of 11,000 watts and can sustain 9,500 watts continuously.
“It will run at peak power for 30 seconds, which is an advantage for users running electrical tools,” Koshelyev says. “Additionally, welding and auxiliary power are now separate, so there’s no interference between the two. In the past, if you were welding and somebody plugged in a grinder, there could be a dip in welding power.”
User-friendly for all skill levels
One of the model’s most accessible features is Auto-Set technology, which simplifies setup by automatically configuring settings based on the user’s chosen rod or wire and material thickness.
“Auto-Set is a breakthrough technology to streamline setting up the machine,” Koshelyev says. “It features special programs set by the manufacturer, so all you need to do is input what material you’re using, and then you can start welding straight away. You don’t need to worry about the specific parameters – the machine will set those automatically.
The user interface has also been upgraded, with an LCD screen that provides clear readouts and a simplified setup process. Predictive maintenance alerts are another new addition, helping operators stay on top of routine servicing like oil and filter changes, reducing the likelihood of unplanned downtime.
“It all contributes to making things easier to operate, maintain, and service the machine – whether you’re an experienced welder or just getting started,” Koshelyev says.
The icing on the cake
With a legacy as one of the industry’s best-selling welders, Koshelyev says, the Bobcat range has built a reputation for reliability, robustness, and efficiency.
“It’s the perfect all-in-one machine to tackle all your welding and run all your tools,” he says. “And the range of new features and improvements on the 265X – like remote start and ArcReach – is just the icing on the cake.”
The Bobcat 265X is now available in Australia through Welding Industries Australia. For more information, visit: www.welding.com.au
