That's really tough, man. When you buy an expensive machine, you expect it to be able to do all the work you give it. And you aren't even asking for anything unusual.
Are there any indications about what it will/will not do in the specs? Can you get Miller customer support on line or on the phone?
I wouldn't try to adjust the welder's machinery if I were you, until after consulting with the company.
To test working with a rod start with about 20 % and strike the rod to the work. If the rod sticks then adjust the percentage up. Keep doing this until you get the rod to start working without sticking. You can adjust to find the exact arc for your work. You will be able to look at a piece and have a good idea of where to start.
This can change with the different rod, conditions, etc. It is not an exact science but doing it this way you can make any rod work (if possible) and novices can look like they know what they are doing.