Crossfire Argo 195 Welder Generator.
I bought mine about a year ago through Weld Ready in Canada. I live in the US, so I had to wait a bit for the Machine to clear customs and find its way to Colorado but the accessories and consumables I bought with it areived within a few days. Great company and great service.
The machine itself is pretty impressive.
I have two Miller Bobcats, a225, and 230, in my service rigs, but I wanted a smaller machine to carry in my pickup so that I always had power and the ability to weld anywhere on the farm or job-site.
A.C. Power. 6000 running watts provides me all of the power I need most of the time. Ot mostly runs a pancake air compressor, mag drill, saws, grinders and battery chargers. Does an awsome job even when the compressor kicks on while I'm grinding. It has enough power for two guys on the job.
D.C. Welder.
If you are welding 3/8 or 1/2 inch (10 or 12 mm) material up in the 110 amp range with 1/8 or bigger rod you are going to lug the machine and need to be mindful of its duty cycle, which ranges from 107 welding 1/4 (6mm) material with 3/32 7018 to 30% at 195 welding 1/4 material at 195 with 3/32 7018. So. Yesterday I welded 1/4 flange stiffeners all day with 3/32 7018 at 80 amps and the machine performed flawlessly. The 40 foot 2 awg leads I have on the machine never even got hot. It just purred along while run vertical uphand and overhead fillets with 3/32 7018. Every weld was beautiful.
It will weld heavier material. I have welded up small castings with good results. I have welded heavy picking eyes that were used to lift and carry thousand of pound without issue. One just has to remember that it's not a 300 amp pipliner.
The Engine. It has a 14 horsepower Kohler engine. The engine always starts with the key. The machine charges the batter well. The engine runs well but does not seem to have a low idle, so it always loud. Something to keep in mind if using tour tailgate for a work bench. Doesn't bother me though. I just leave my earplug in an mind my job.
Great fuel economy. Running a small aircompressor and tools while welding, this machine will go all day on 5 gallons of gas. My Miller 230 will go all day on 10 gallons.
So. If you are performing light maintenance, welding steel or stainless steel close to the truck in the 40 to 110 amp range, this welder will do the job with good results. If you are building fences or just working around the far, this is a great machine. If you are welding broken bulldozers, hardsurfacing scraper blades or welding pipelines, you will want something bigger.
