Buggs67
Veteran Member
I'm new to welding and just got an arc welder. I want to weld some brackets on the tractors frame and I don't want to damage any electronics. Do I need to disconnect the battery? Both terminals or just NEG?
Welding brackets on tractor frame
- Thread starter Buggs67
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sea2summit
Super Member
Tag for interest as I'm also too chicken to weld on the tractor itself.
Henro
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Henro
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Put your ground clamp close to the point you are welding on.
Current will flow between the arc point and the ground clamp.
You should be fine. No need to disconnect the battery.
In theory there will be a voltage drop between the arc and the ground clamp, and this voltage could drive currents to flow elsewhere, but unlikely, as such currents would see the path of minimum resistance, which is between the arc point and the ground clamp, and not flow elsewhere to any significant degree.
edit: Actually it is the voltage that drives the current flow, and saying the currents would see something is rather simplistic, but actually that is the apparent result at the end of the day...
Current will flow between the arc point and the ground clamp.
You should be fine. No need to disconnect the battery.
In theory there will be a voltage drop between the arc and the ground clamp, and this voltage could drive currents to flow elsewhere, but unlikely, as such currents would see the path of minimum resistance, which is between the arc point and the ground clamp, and not flow elsewhere to any significant degree.
edit: Actually it is the voltage that drives the current flow, and saying the currents would see something is rather simplistic, but actually that is the apparent result at the end of the day...
jthibodeau89
Gold Member
Depends on the age of the tractor. If the tractor has IC control modules, best to pull the battery ground to be safe. Same with welding on a car or truck.
LouNY
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It's usually easier to pull the ground cable off, then to replace parts.
With the ground clamp close to the working area you usually will not have any problems,
but electronics are funny critters what never bothered for years can be destroyed today doing the same thing.
I have seen simple alternator diodes go out from welding and engine controllers survive, I prefer to disconnect the battery ground.
With the ground clamp close to the working area you usually will not have any problems,
but electronics are funny critters what never bothered for years can be destroyed today doing the same thing.
I have seen simple alternator diodes go out from welding and engine controllers survive, I prefer to disconnect the battery ground.
Thomas
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Call your dealer service dept just to double check.
Before welding on our new Kubota I check with dealer service and they be very wise to disconnect battery more so if it has cab.
Before welding on our new Kubota I check with dealer service and they be very wise to disconnect battery more so if it has cab.
rScotty
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Disconnect one side of the battery - I usually disconnect the ground (frame) side before welding on any part of the tractor.
That said, about the only things that I will weld to on any tractor are the loader and body work. Too much of the rest of the tractor is either cast iron or cast steel. You don't want to weld to either.
So a good rule is DO NOT weld to the frame if there is any way you can do the mounting by drilling, tapping, or bolting. You can weld anything you want to the fenders or the loader bucket - but not to the cutting edge.
luck,
rScotty
That said, about the only things that I will weld to on any tractor are the loader and body work. Too much of the rest of the tractor is either cast iron or cast steel. You don't want to weld to either.
So a good rule is DO NOT weld to the frame if there is any way you can do the mounting by drilling, tapping, or bolting. You can weld anything you want to the fenders or the loader bucket - but not to the cutting edge.
luck,
rScotty
SylvainG
Platinum Member
Disconnect the battery ground does just that, disconnect the BATTERY ground. Often the components are also grounded to the frame and not back to the battery so it doesn't matter if you just disconnect the battery ground.
I was chicken and disconnected the battery, just in case. That effort was going to be less than any issue that may be caused. Plus, it’s a tractor*. There isn’t even a click to have to reset.
*Assumption.
*Assumption.
PILOON
Super Star Member
Ground as close to the weld point as possible and always on the heavier metal component.
eg, to frame if adding a bracket or whatnot.
Oh, and I do disconnect the battery, just in case that helps.
eg, to frame if adding a bracket or whatnot.
Oh, and I do disconnect the battery, just in case that helps.
yomax4
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Its quick to disconnect the battery so may as well. I use double grounds. 1 on each side of the weld area. Not sure I need to but never had an issue.
Danno1
Veteran Member
.
If it's electronic modules you're worried about then pulling the connector out of the module is what you need to do. Pulling a batt cable does nothing for a module that is still part of the circuit.
.
If it's electronic modules you're worried about then pulling the connector out of the module is what you need to do. Pulling a batt cable does nothing for a module that is still part of the circuit.
.
Sonny580
Veteran Member
I have welded on units with all that electronic crap----NOT a good thing to do but can be done---as already stated remove battery cables and ground very close to weld site.
As a side note---do not weld anything to frames themselves----always drill and bolt. Welding will weaken the frame and make things a pita on down the road for you or someone else to remove!
As a side note---do not weld anything to frames themselves----always drill and bolt. Welding will weaken the frame and make things a pita on down the road for you or someone else to remove!
SylvainG
Platinum Member
Won't the hole(s) for the bolt(s) weaken the frame? That's a reason not to drill in a ROP post so I would think the same applies to the frame.
the old grind
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Typically, holes drilled into the center 1/3 of a 'beam' will minimize loss of strength if all forces on it are linear. They are not in a frame or ROPS. I wouldn't drill or weld on either.
Brackets may be attached under existing bolts, say that hold on a loader tower etc. Two-pc brackets can be designed that wrap/clamp around something, frame or ROPS, loader arms, etc.
Brackets may be attached under existing bolts, say that hold on a loader tower etc. Two-pc brackets can be designed that wrap/clamp around something, frame or ROPS, loader arms, etc.
OP
Buggs67
Veteran Member
Thanks for all the feedback. I should have been more specific. I want to weld brackets onto the supports for the FEL that are bolted onto the frame of the tractor. I can drill and tap and bolt on the brackets and it appears that that is safer although will take a lot more time.
metalbender
Veteran Member
Welding on your tractor should be a while down the road. Lots of hood time is needed before the real work begins.
mrmikey
Elite Member
Not trying to be an a$$ but this is the first good reason not to weld to a frame of any kind:
Second reason is why weld to a frame unless you're repairing a break/crack. Once you start welding to a frame you're setting yourself up to cracking, whatever you're mounting, use bolts you'd be far better off, my two cents worth.......Mike
Second reason is why weld to a frame unless you're repairing a break/crack. Once you start welding to a frame you're setting yourself up to cracking, whatever you're mounting, use bolts you'd be far better off, my two cents worth.......Mike
