Tip #2: Invest in newer and better technologies for ROI
Newer equipment is often smaller, lighter and stronger when it comes to performance, adding up to better ROI on several fronts:
- More fuel and space savings: A lighter machine means greater fuel economy. The Trailblazer 330 is 86 pounds lighter and occupies 17% less cubic feet than its competition, while the Bobcat 230 and 265 are over 100 pounds lighter and 13% smaller than previous models. Plus, smaller equipment leaves room to add or arrange other important equipment and tools on the truck for greater payload.
- Faster and easier setup: More manufacturers are making equipment with technology that improves output — with interfaces that simplify setup to start working faster. For example, the new Miller® Bobcat 265 and Trailblazer 330 engine-driven welders feature Auto-Set™, a technology that provides weld parameters after welders enter the material and thickness — great for welders of all skill levels. The new single-knob design on the Bobcat 230 allows for quick and precise setup.
- Maintenance alerts: Also on the tech front, some machines allow operators to gauge their fuel levels with a color-coded digital indicator and set alerts for routine maintenance, making it even easier to schedule service at convenient times and avoid unexpected downtime. The Bobcat 265 and Trailblazer 330’s digital fuel gauges and maintenance indicators keep operators up to speed on their engine-driven welder’s status.
- Longer runtimes: Combining two Miller exclusives on the Trailblazer 330 models — Excel™ power and Auto-Speed™ technology — with Electronic Fuel Injection provides operators with 21 hours of runtime versus the 15 hours that standard carbureted models typically supply. This combination keeps the machine at idle speed and automatically adjusts engine speed, so it never works harder than it needs to, opening the door for even more productivity and profitability gains.
Tip #3: Leverage productivity data to optimize jobsite processes
When it comes to moving from one job to another, productivity data can help with tracking and organizing tasks, whether that’s monitoring the truck, welder usage or weld process data. The durable digital interface of the Bobcat 265 displays necessary data for technicians to stay productive across all their jobs, including predictive maintenance information to plan necessary service time and usage monitoring data separated by job or total hours on the machine. That weld process data brings a lot of value because it can be leveraged to improve accuracy for bidding and scheduling jobs.
Tip #4: Increase safety, control and efficiency of the work truck with remotes
Making a repair involves a number of steps and an even greater number of footsteps. A start/stop remote control goes a long way in reducing time wasted. Many Miller-branded engine-driven welders, including the Bobcat 265 and the Trailblazer 330, come with a wireless remote ready for long-range use. Specifically, the Bobcat 265 comes with remote start/stop, while the Trailblazer 330 puts full front panel access in the palm of operators’ hands with Wireless Interface Control. These devices give operators a large number of direct and indirect benefits: They improve safety by eliminating the need to walk through rough terrain or cluttered areas, decrease fuel costs by reducing engine idling and even contribute to a quieter jobsite.