ENGINE DRIVEN WELDERS

SAE-400 ®

Processes Output Range Number of Cylinders

Stick, TIG, Flux-Cored(1), Gouging 80-575A DC Welding 4
(1) With CV Adapter. AC Power - See Back Page HP @ Speed (RPM)
Perkins®: 64.4 HP @ 1710 RPM
Product Number Rated Output Current/Voltage/Duty Cycle
Deutz®: 59.6 HP @ 1800 RPM
400A DC/40V/100%
K1278-15 Perkins® with High Capacity 500A DC/40V/60% Perkins® Weight/Dimensions (H x W x D)
AC Power
500A DC/40V/35% Deutz® See Back Page
K1278-14 Perkins®
K1278-10 Deutz® SAE-400® with Perkins® Engine and High Capacity AC Power
See back page for complete specs Product Number K1278-15

The Diesel Workhorse™ EXPORT ONLY – NOT FOR SALE IN THE U.S.A. AND CANADA
For demanding jobs that call for high
amperage capabilities, the SAE-400®
offers 400 amps for DC stick welding and
AC power. It is powered by either a heavy APPLICATIONS
duty Perkins® or Deutz® industrial diesel  Pipelines
engine. Both engines offer low maintenance  Construction
and long life. Add CV wire welding with the  Maintenance
optional CV Adapter.

FEATURES
 Rugged Construction
-- Heavy gauge steel case withstands
rough field handling.
 Dual Continuous Output Control
-- Continuous adjustment of voltage
and current.
-- Select either a soft “buttery” arc
or snappy “digging” arc for fast,
high-quality welding. K1278-15 Shown

 Arc Gouging
-- Arc gouging with up to 3/8 in.
(10 mm) carbons. FEATURES, CONT’D INPUT OUTPUT
 Multiple Arcs  Standard 60 Hz AC Power on or
-- Large capacity DC weld output K1278-14 and K1278-10:
makes the SAE-400® the #1 choice -- K1278-14 has Euro and NEMA
for multiple arcs with the Multi- receptacles
Weld™ 350 system. Available power
is 22,500 watts at 60V DC. (See -- K1278-10 has NEMA receptacles
recommended accessories section.) -- 3,000 watts 1-phase 120V or
 High Capacity 60 Hz AC Power 240V on both models
on K1278-15:
-- 13,000 watts 3-phase 240V
-- 10,000 watts 1-phase 120V/240V CO
LN ELECT
RI
IN

-- Euro and NEMA receptacles

C
L

ISO
9001:2000
14001:2004
THE LINCOLN ELECTRIC COMPANY
22801 St. Clair Avenue • Cleveland, OH • 44117-1199 • U.S.A.
Publication E6.180 | Issue D­ate 02/16
PH: +1.216-481-8100 • www.lincolnelectric.com
© Lincoln Global, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
 PERFORMANCE

•  400 amp rated output DC arc welding power source with outstanding •  Add CV wire welding capability with optional CV Adapter. Use with
characteristics for pipe, construction and maintenance stick welding. across-the-arc LN-25 Ironworker™ and LN-15 wire feeders.
575 amp maximum output.
• Polarity switch for selecting DC+, DC- welding output (K1278-14 and SAE-400® with High Capacity AC Power
Simultaneous Welding and AC Power
K1278-15 SAE-400® Perkins®).
Welding Current, Using Only 120V Using Only 240V
• K1278-15 model delivers 13,000 watts of 240V 3-phase AC power Amps @ NEMA Circuit Amps Circuit Amps Total AC Power
for a plasma cutter, pump, or inverter welder. Also has 10,000 watts Arc Volts 1 Phase 1 Phase/3 Phase 10 kVA/13kVA
of 120V/240V 1-phase AC power for common construction tools and
lights. Power a Square Wave™ TIG 200 or a Tomahawk® 1000 0 84 42/31 10/13
100 81 40/30 10/12
plasma cutter. 35/26 8/11
200 71
•  K1278-14 and K1278-10 deliver 3,000 watts of 115V/230V AC 300 54 27/20 6/8
400 30 15/11 4/5
generator power for a grinder, lights or other power tools. 0/0 0/0
500 0

FEATURES

• Pressure lubrication system with replaceable filter assures lubrication •  Combination muffler/spark arrestor is standard on the Perkins® models.
to all critical areas of the engines. •  Single-side engine access for routine maintenance.
• Engine gauges indicate oil pressure, temperature and battery •  Engine hour meter for scheduling maintenance.
charging amps.
•  Optional oil drain system includes ball valve, hose and clamp to direct
• All day welding with 29 gallon (109.8 liter) plastic fuel tank with oil beyond the base of the machine.
combination fuel cap/fuel gauge. Pre-filter water separator
and a filter in the fuel line help keep the fuel clean. • Optional K924-4 Remote Control Kit with 100 ft. (30 m) cord.
•  Perkins engine uses glow plugs for starting the engine at low ambient
®

temperatures, down to -5º F (-21º C).

KEY CONTROLS

11
1. Polarity Switch (K1278-14 and -15)
2. Current Control
3. 115V/120V AC NEMA Receptacles with Covers
4. 115V/120V AC Circuit Breakers
5. Engine Hour Meter
6. Local/Remote Control Switch 23 2
7. Remote Control Receptacle 22
8. 120/240 VAC Full-KVA 1-Phase Receptacle (K1278-15)
9. 240 VAC Full-KVA 3-Phase Receptacle (K1278-15) 21 3
10. Full-KVA 1- and 3-Phase Circuit Breaker (K1278-15) 4
11. RCD (Residual Current Device) (K1278-15)
20
12. 115V/120V AC European Receptacle (K1278-14 and -15) 5
13. 230V/240V AC European Receptacle (K1278-14 and -15)
19
14. Circuit Breaker for 115V/120V European Receptacle 18 6
15. Engine Protection Light 17
16 7
16. Engine Idler
15
17. Glow Plug Button (Perkins® engine) 14
18. Pushbutton Start
19. On/Off Switch 8
20. Gauges for Oil Pressure, Temperature, and Battery 9
Charging Amps
21. 230V/240V AC NEMA Receptacles with Covers
22. 230V/240V AC Circuit Breaker
23. Job Selector
13 12 11 10 K1278-15 Shown

[ 2 ] | SAE-400®
 QUALITY AND RELIABILITY

•  Perkins® water-cooled and Deutz® 4-cylinder, air-cooled industrial •  Manufactured under a quality system certified to ISO 9001
diesel engines offer low maintenance and long life. requirements and ISO 14001 environmental standards.
•  Automatic shutdown protection for low oil pressure or high •  Three-year Lincoln Electric warranty (engines are warranted separately
coolant temperature. by the manufacturers - see Engine Specifications, footnote 4 and 5).
•  Printed circuit board for idler and engine protection is potted
to provide a robust environmental shield.

­­­­MACHINE SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions
Ordering CC Rated Output(1) Generator HxWxL Weight
Product Name Information Description Current/Voltage/Duty Cycle AC Power(2) in (mm) lbs. (kg)
SAE-400® K1278-15 400 Amp DC Arc Welder with Lincoln Rating 13,000 Watts, 60 Hz 45.8 x 28 x 83 2286
Perkins® 13,000 Watts Continuous 400A/40V/100% (1164 x 711 x 2109) (1037)
Note: Export only - with High-Capacity AC Power 3-Phase 500A/40V/60% NEMA Duplex Receptacles (3)

Not for sale in the AC Power 20A @ 120V Each Receptacle To Top of Exhaust Tube:
U.S. and Canada 10,000 Watts Continuous 80-575 Amps 15A @ 240V Duplex Total 50.1 (1273)
AC Power 1-Phase
Continuous Adjustment of Euro Receptacles
NEMA and European Receptacles Voltage and Current 15A @ 120V
Includes Polarity Switch 15A @ 240V
97V Max. OCV @ 1800 RPM
Full KVA Receptacles
41.7A @ 240V 1-Phase
31.2A @ 240V 3-Phase

RCD (Residual Current Device) Included

K1278-14 400 Amp DC Arc Welder with 3,000 Watts, 60 Hz 45.8 x 28 x 83 2157
Perkins® 3,000 Watts of AC Power (1164 x 711 x 2109) (978)
NEMA and European Receptacles 20A @ 115V (NEMA)
Includes Polarity Switch 15A @ 115V (Euro) To Top of Exhaust Tube:
Shared GFCI Sealed Module 50.1 (1273)

13A @ 240V (NEMA & Euro)

Port to add an RCD (Residual Current
Device) for Euro Receptacle

K1278-10 400 Amp DC Arc Welder with Lincoln Rating 3,000 Watts, 60 Hz 45.8 x 28 x 83 2319
Deutz® 3,000 Watts of AC Power 400A/40V/100% (1164 x 711 x 2109) (1052)
NEMA Receptacles 500A/40V/35% 26A @ 115V (NEMA)
13A @ 230V (Euro) To Top of Exhaust Tube:
80-575 Amps 50.1 (1273)
Continuous Adjustment of
Voltage and Current

97V Max. OCV @ 1800 RPM

(1)
Based on a 10 minute period. High Altitude: For maximum rating, derate the output 5% for every 1,640 ft. (500 m) above 3,280 ft. (1,000 m).
(2)
115V or 120V will operate either 60 Hz or 50/60 Hz power tools, lights, etc. (3) Circuits cannot be wired in parallel to operate the same device.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
Horsepower & Fuel
Engine Model Description Displacement Capacities Operating Speeds Consumption

Perkins® Diesel(4) 4 Cylinder, 4 Cycle 64.4 HP @ Fuel: Full Load: 1,710 (400A) 1.8 gals/hr - 7.0 ltrs/hr
1104A-44 Water-Cooled Diesel Engine 1710 RPM 29.0 gals (109.8 ltrs)
High Idle: 1,800 RPM 0.8 gals/hr - 3.0 ltrs/hr
Non-EPA with Dry Cartridge Air Filter Oil:
(Export Only) 269 cu in 10.1 qts (9.6 ltrs) Low Idle: 1,100 RPM 0.5 gals/hr - 2.0 ltrs/hr
(4.4 ltrs) Radiator Coolant:
3.4 gals (12.8 ltrs)

Deutz® Diesel(5) 4 Cylinder, 4 Cycle 59.6 HP @ Fuel: Full Load: 1,710 (400A) 1.8 gals/hr - 6.9 ltrs/hr
F4L912 Air-Cooled Diesel Engine 1,800 RPM 29.0 gals (109.8 ltrs) High Idle: 1,800 RPM 0.8 gals/hr - 2.9 ltrs/hr
Non-EPA with Dry Cartridge Air Filter Oil:
(Export only) 232 cu in 13.2 qts (12.5 ltrs) Low Idle: 1,050 RPM 0.4 gals/hr - 1.5 ltrs/hr
(3.8 ltrs)
(4) (5)
Perkins® warranty is 2 years/3,000 hours. Deutz® warranty is 2 years/3,000 hours.

RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
GENERAL OPTIONS Full-KVA Power Plug Full - KVA Adapter Kit
Power Plug Kit (for K1278-15)) (for K1278-15)
Provides two 115V plugs rated at 20 One dual voltage plug rated at Provides convenient connection of
amps each, and two 230V plugs rated 120/240V, 50 amps. NEMA 14-50R. Lincoln Electric equipment having a
at 15 amps each. 115V plug may not Order T12153-9 240V AC 1-phase plug (NEMA
be compatible with common household 6-50P) to the full-KVA receptacle on
receptacles. engine-driven welders.
Order K802D Order K1816-1

SAE-400® | [ 3 ]
 RECOMMENDED ACCESSORIES
GENERAL OPTIONS (CONT’D) in. (51 mm) Ball/ Lunette Eye combination LN-25 Ironworker™ Wire Feeder
GFCI Receptacle Kit hitch. Overall width 55 in. (1397 mm). Portable CV unit for flux-cored and MIG
(for K1278-10) Overall length 132 in. (3353 mm). welding with MAXTRAC® wire drive
Includes one UL approved 115V ground Order K2641-2 system. Includes digital meters for wire
fault circuit interrupter duplex type feed speed/amperage and voltage, gas
receptacle and installation instructions. solenoid, internal contactor and 5/64 in.
Multi-Weld™ 350 (2.0 mm) drive roll kit for cored wire.
Replaces the factory installed 115V duplex For multiple arcs from the DC output of
receptacle. Each receptacle of the GFCI Has 83% reduced wire feed speed
a welding power source. See bulletin capability for 6 o’clock pipe welding with
duplex is rated at 20 amps. Maximum E5.302 for Multi-Weld™ 350 and
total current from the GFCI duplex is Innershield® wire.
distribution system. Order K2614-9
limited to 20 amps. Order K1735-1
Order K1690-1
Drive Roll and Guide Tube Kit
STICK OPTIONS For .068-.072 in. (1.7-1.8 mm) cored or
Oil Drain Kit
Includes ball valve, hose and clamp to Accessory Kit solid steel wire.
direct used oil beyond the base of the For stick welding. Includes 35 ft. (10.7 m)) Order KP1697-068
machine. 2/0 electrode cable with lug, 30 ft. (9.1 m)
Order K2144-1 (Perkins®) 2/0 work cable with lugs, headshield, filter
Order K949-1 (Deutz®) plate, work clamp and electrode holder. K126™ PRO Innershield® Gun
400 amp capacity. For self-shielded wire with 15 ft.
Order K704 (4.5 m) cable. For .062-5/64 in.
Spark Arrestor Kit (1.6-2.0 mm) wire. Includes
(for K1278-10) K466-10 Connector Kit.
Mounts to muffler exhaust tube. Virtually Remote Control Order K126-12
eliminates spark emissions. Remote control rheostat permits machine
Order K1847-1 output changes up to 100 ft. (30.5 m)
from the machine. Includes local/remote Magnum® PRO 350 Ready-Pak® 15 ft.,
switch and receptacle for older machine .035-5/64 in.
Large Welder Trailer control panels. Magnum® PRO MIG/flux-cored welding
For heavy-duty road, off-road, plant and Order K924-4 guns are rated 100% duty cycle. The
yard use. Includes pivoting jack stand, guns are designed for high amperage,
safety chains, and 14 in. (356 mm) high duty cycle applications in extreme
wheels. Stiff .120 in. (3.0 mm) welded TIG OPTIONS environments where heat-resistance and
rectangular steel tube frame construction Square Wave TIG 200 fast serviceability are key.
is phosphate etched and powder coat Order K2652-2-10-45
painted for superior rust and corrosion
This 46 lb (21 kg) TIG and stick welder
resistance. Low sway suspension gives includes adjustable AC Frequency
outstanding stability with manageable Control and AC Balance for great Drive Roll and Guide Tube Kit
tongue weight. Wheel bearings are results on aluminum, pulse mode and For .035 in. and .045 in. (0.9 mm and
packed with high viscosity, high pressure, 120V or 230V input power capability. 1.1 mm) solid steel wire.
low washout Lubriplate® grease. Includes Order K5126-1 Order KP1696-1
a Duo-Hitch® – a 2 in. (51 mm) Ball/
Lunette Eye combination hitch. Overall
width: 60 in. (1524 mm). Overall length WIRE FEEDER OPTIONS PLASMA CUTTING
124 in. (3150 mm).
Order: CV Adapter Tomahawk® 1000
K2637-2 Trailer Provides constant voltage output for (for K1278-15)
K2639-1 Fender & Light Kit semiautomatic wire welding. Includes Cuts metal using the AC generator power
K2640-1 Cable Rack connector for 14-pin control cable and from the engine-driven welder. Requires
local/remote switch. Mounts inside the T12153-9 Full-KVA Power Plug
SAE-400®. (1-Phase).
Four-Wheeled Steerable Order K385-2 Order K2808-1
Yard Trailer
For off-road, plant and yard use. Includes
an automatically engaging drawbar lock
when the drawbar is raised to the verticle
position. 13 in. (330 mm) wheels. Wheel
bearings are packed with high viscosity,
high pressure, low washout Lubriplate®
grease. Also includes a Duo-Hitch® – a 2

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Rated Output Net
Product Product Current/Voltage/ Output Number HxWxD Weight
Name Number Duty Cycle Range Engine of Cylinders HP & Speed (rpm) inches (mm) lbs. (kg)
SAE-400® K1278-15 400A DC/40V/100% Welding Perkins® 4 64.4 @ 1710 45.8 x 28 x 83 2286
Perkins® 500A DC/40V/60% 80-575 Amps 1104A-44 (1164 x 711 x 2109) (1037)
3-Phase AC Power: Diesel Non-EPA
13,000 Watts (Export only) To Top of Exhaust Tube:
1-Phase AC Power: 50.1 (1273)
10,000 Watts

K1278-14 Welding 2157

80-575 Amps (978)
1-Phase AC Power:
400A DC/40V/100% 3,000 Watts Deutz®
SAE-400® K1278-10 59.6 @ 1800 2319
500A DC/40V/35% F4L912
Deutz® (1052)
Diesel Non-EPA
(Export only)

For best welding results with Lincoln Electric equipment,

always use Lincoln Electric consumables. Visit www.lincolnelectric.com for more details.

CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE POLICY

T he business of The Lincoln Electric Company is manufacturing and selling high quality welding equipment, consumables, and cutting equipment. Our challenge is to meet the needs of our customers
and to exceed their expectations. On occasion, purchasers may ask Lincoln Electric for information or advice about their use of our products. Our employees respond to inquiries to the best of their
ability based on information provided to them by the customers and the knowledge they may have concerning the application. Our employees, however, are not in a position to verify the information
provided or to evaluate the engineering requirements for the particular weldment. Accordingly, Lincoln Electric does not warrant or guarantee or assume any liability with respect to such information or
advice. Moreover, the provision of such information or advice does not create, expand, or alter any warranty on our products. Any express or implied warranty that might arise from the information or
advice, including any implied warranty of merchantability or any warranty of fitness for any customers’ particular purpose is specifically disclaimed. 

Lincoln Electric is a responsive manufacturer, but the selection and use of specific products sold by Lincoln Electric is solely within the control of, and remains the sole responsibility of the customer.
Many variables beyond the control of Lincoln Electric affect the results obtained in applying these types of fabrication methods and service requirements.

Subject to Change – This information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing. Please refer to www.lincolnelectric.com for any updated information.