farm machinery

[jools1010]

Hi all, I have been asked if I can weld repair some farm machinery, buckets, booms, chassis etc.

However Iam using a petrol arc welder to the job but only have a 170amp weld/gen.

Iam guessing that some of the plate will be 25mm + so will the 170amp with 3.2 rod cope if I prep with plate (veeing) with multiply passes?

I could hire a 200/250amp however these are £100 + a day..

Many thanks

Jools

 

[MrFluffy]

It all depends on the material thickness, but 25mm thick plate sounds a LOT. I'd imagine most of the time you'll be welding up nowhere near to that thickness.

Just as a for example, the boom on the back actor of my jcb 3c is under 10mm thick and formed from plate sections welded together. Buckets on average are the same or thinner apart from the pin flange areas where things are thickened up for stress. Ditto the chassis, its strength comes from being formed of multiple shapes and boxes. Not that 10mm wall thickness plate is particulary weak
I have to rehang a ditching bucket soon, and thats made from under 10mm plate too.

The job you will need lots of power for is welding in new bushings into things, since the bush housing itself will have that sort of thickness. But that happens quite infrequently, and is usually a big repair job where the boom etc is removed and taken away to be rebushed, repinned and generally sorted out, rather than a quick repair in the field.

 

[wyn]

I think you would manage ok with the welder you have. Just use multi runs and a bit of prep with the thicker stuff.

 

[jools1010]

Thanks for replies, wanted to check as I looks unprofessional turning up and my welder is not up to the job..

Jools

 

[Tino]

Just a quick note, the dipper arm on most machines will get it strength not just from the shape but from the high yield steel it's made from (701-901 or similar). To weld use a rod that is compatible, or use lo hydrogen rods and double up the size of your weld, a bit of pre heat helps to although not strictly necessary up to about 15mm.