Even with all of the advances in engine and fuel technology, restarting a diesel engine once it runs out of fuel isn't easy. It can take hours, even days, to remove all air from the tank.

The DAW-500S welder from MQ Power, a division of Multiquip, features a self-priming fuel system within its Kubota engine that maintains engine pressure if the unit runs out of fuel. The operator simply needs to refill the tank and turn on the ignition for 30 seconds to restart the machine.

That is one of many new features on the welder that make it attractive to contractors and rental centers, according to Joe Hilt, MQ Power's welding division manager.

The DAW-500S provides up to 500 amps of DC welding power and up to 3,000 watts of AC power. The unit operates at 72 decibels and is adaptable for gas metal arc (MIG) and heliarc (TIG) welding applications.

Hilt says one of the unit's distinct features is its ability to provide constant and clean voltage - a necessity in many Western states where the American Welding Society requires consistent voltage generation for work on large buildings and other structures sensitive to ground movement.

The unit has an automatic engine shutdown system that activates when the engine begins to overheat or if a fan belt breaks, the oil pressure drops to zero or the generator is overloaded.