agricultural welding

[oilcooled :)]

just wondering whats the min amps you need on a mig for tractors, like fixing cabs and doing bits with tinwork does it need to be as low as for carwork, is 45 amps to high minimium,

 

[mike os]

not worked on any new tractors recently, but my recolection is fairly decent guage steel everywhere? 2mm for cabs

 

[oilcooled :)]

would the swp machine suit agricultural use link

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mig-210-A...&otn=2&po=LVI&ps=63&clkid=3964135444283983064

heard stuff about it

 

[david500]

It would be good for most tractor tinwork,You wont find much thinner than 1.5mm. Tractors from the 80's-90's are the thinnest, From when they were experimenting with Monocoque
Your right on the limit with 45amps. Its a good price though.

 

[oilcooled :)]

great duty cycle on it if its accurate, the heaviest work it would c would be 50 mm galv tubing, everything else i arc weld, woudnt waste gas,

 

[mike os]

I have a swp tig and it seems OK... only had it a year or so so cant comment on the long term issues, but if the price is right ( in my case it was very right..

personally if it is someting you need to rely on i would be looking for a "decent brand" .... what have they compromised on to get it to that price?

 

[dannyp]

i get ****** off useing a 300 amp with aircooled torch.

it has enough power ( just ) but the torches overheat to quick if your doing anything serious.

normaly use a 350 A with watercooler

 

[scarecrow]

great duty cycle on it if its accurate, the heaviest work it would c would be 50 mm galv tubing, everything else i arc weld, woudnt waste gas,

one of the reasons for the price drop is probably it has only 6 voltage settings
which probably won't make that big a different until you go below 2mm
my welder has a minimum of 40 amps if you want I'd give it a try on Monday just to see how light I can go using 1mm wire
and I normally weld 2.5mm box on about the 3 and 4 setting depending on how tight a fit up

 

[stew]

ive been a farm mechanic for 4 1/2 years, and i think ive only ever "welded a tractor" a handful of times to be honest. 2mm will be your thinest, 25mm or so your thickest!

agri welding is mainly repair work, and its nearly all on equipment; straightening and strengthening, plating and adding gussets; or modifying and making new frames etc.

id say any of the decent branded migs would be ideal, as many voltage steps as possible, and nothing less than 200 amps really. suppose it all depends on budget at the end of the day though.

i have a murex 260-1 for my job, running 1.0mm wire. i spend a good porportion of my time welding thin metal (fan cowlings), around 1.6mm to 2mm; i also do a lot fabrication (box section frames); then thicker platings on equipment (10mm +), and also push my murex to max on heavier stuff (trailers, ploughs etc). i would love a 300+ amp welder but all down to budget i suppose!

 

[oilcooled :)]

thanks for the offer scarecrow but i might take a chance and go for it, all i want it for is bits of repairs on 110-90s and that around doors, making gates, anything elsearc will do cause im too mean to waste gas and wire, when i can get better results with arc anyway,

 

[david500]

110-90s

I love them
Only the poor paint let them down,Brilliant tractors otherwise

 

[oilcooled :)]

i agree :P that and no pass seat

 

[oilcooled :)]

its bought now anyways 505 euros delivered, best machine i can afford,