Hobart Champion 145
The Hobart Champion 145 is a dependable, no-frills engine-driven welder built for contractors and farmers who need solid DC stick welding capability paired with generous auxiliary power for tools and lighting.
- Rated output
- 145 A
- Steel window
- 0.5–3.7 mm
- Mass
- 322 lbs (146 kg)
- Welding Output
- 145A DC constant current
- 145A DC stick welding
- 5,500W auxiliary power
- Rugged Kohler engine
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Running it
The Hobart Champion 145 is a compact, gasoline-engine-driven welder/generator built for contractors, farmers, and maintenance crews who need reliable arc welding power and auxiliary electricity in locations without access to the grid. Powered by a dependable air-cooled gas engine, this unit delivers up to 145 amps of DC stick welding output, making it well suited for maintenance welding, repair work, fabrication touch-ups, and light to moderate structural jobs using 6011, 6013, and similar common stick electrodes. Its engine-driven design means it doesn't rely on a shop outlet or standby power, so it travels easily to remote job sites, ranches, pipelines, and construction locations where portable, self-contained welding capability is essential. Beyond its welding performance, the Champion 145 doubles as a generator, supplying usable AC auxiliary power for running grinders, lights, drills, and other small tools right at the work site. This dual-purpose functionality reduces the need to haul separate welding and power equipment, saving space on trucks and trailers while simplifying logistics for field crews. The unit is engineered with Hobart's typical focus on durability, featuring a rugged frame, protected control panel, and simplified operator controls that make it accessible even for welders who don't have extensive experience with engine-driven equipment. Compact and relatively lightweight compared to larger engine-driven welders in Hobart's lineup, the Champion 145 is designed for portability without sacrificing the core welding output needed for everyday repair and fabrication tasks. It's commonly chosen by farmers fixing equipment in the field, small contracting outfits needing backup welding capability, and maintenance departments that require a grab-and-go unit for scattered job locations. With straightforward operation, dependable arc characteristics for stick welding, and the added versatility of onboard power generation, the Hobart Champion 145 fills a practical niche for users who need dependable, mobile welding power without the complexity or cost of larger industrial machines.
The Hobart Champion 145 is a dependable, no-frills engine-driven welder built for contractors and farmers who need solid DC stick welding capability paired with generous auxiliary power for tools and lighting. Its Kohler engine and simple control layout make it easy to maintain and operate in remote locations, though buyers wanting AC welding or multi-process flexibility will need to look at larger Champion models.
The full plate
As stated by the manufacturer, 5 lines.
| Welding Output | 145A DC constant current |
|---|---|
| Generator Power | 5,500W running / 6,875W peak |
| Engine | Kohler Command PRO CH440, gas |
| Weight | 322 lbs (146 kg) |
| Rod Capacity | Up to 1/8 in. (3.2 mm) electrodes |
What holds up
- Excellent for remote stick welding and DC arc gouging
- Ample auxiliary power to run grinders, lights, and power tools
- Simple analog controls that are easy to dial in on site
- Durable industrial-grade construction built to survive rough transport
- Reasonable fuel consumption for its power output class
What costs you
- No AC welding output, stick/DC only
- Single-phase generator output limits some three-phase tool use
- Fairly heavy for a machine without a wheel kit included
- Engine noise is louder than inverter-based diesel units
- Runtime on a full tank is shorter than larger fuel-tank models
Stated features
- 145A DC stick welding output for rods up to 1/8 in.
- 5,500 running watts / 6,875 peak watts of AC generator power
- Powered by a reliable Kohler Command PRO CH440 gas engine
- Infinite voltage and amperage control for precise arc tuning
- Compact, rugged steel frame with fold-down handle for job-site portability
- 12-volt battery charging posts for charging batteries in the field
4 people who bought it
Been using this for fence repair and equipment fixes out in the field. Starts easy every time and the arc is smooth on 6011 and 7018 rods.
We use it mostly for the generator side to run our grinders and lights at remote job sites. Welding output is strong too, just wish it had AC output.
This machine has taken a beating on my trailer for two years and still runs like new. The Kohler engine is a workhorse.
Does exactly what Hobart says it will do. Not the lightest unit but it earns its keep on remote repair jobs.
Three entries that sit next to it
Nearest standings in the ledger. Tick one to add it to the cross-reference sheet on the front page.
| 12 | Hobart Champion Elite Hobart · Engine-Driven Welders | 225 A | 4.6 / 5 | C | ||
| 11 | Miller Electric Big Blue 400 Pro Miller Electric · Engine-Driven Welders | 400 A | 4.6 / 5 | B | ||
| 10 | Miller Electric Bobcat 250 Miller Electric · Engine-Driven Welders | 250 A | 4.6 / 5 | B |
