Welding guard on tractor with HF flux wire welder

NTG · Feb 28, 2017

I have one of the cheap HF flux wire welders and I've only welded a couple things with it with decent results I thought. Now I want to weld a piece of expanded metal on the ROPS bar on my tractor to keep from getting my brains busted out. My questions are, where should I connect my welder's ground cable and do I need to be concerned about shorting out the electrical system on my tractor if I connect something wrong? Tractor is a 2016 NH Workmaster 33.

Rustyiron · Feb 28, 2017

It wouldn't hurt to remove the battery ground, or both for the heck of it. I've always made sure I have a good, close ground to my work, but on these very recent year, electronic's dependant trucks & tractors, I'd play it safe.

NTG · Feb 28, 2017

That sounds like a good idea.

I think there are some lugs sticking out up there on the ROPS, maybe for mounting a canopy or something. Think I could just grind the paint off one of those and attach my ground clamp there?

Sodo · Feb 28, 2017

Certainly!

I've never disconnected a battery on any vehicle ever, in 40 years welding. But I ALWAYS put my ground close to the item being welded, and ON THE ITEM not going across a bolted joint etc. Not to say you shouldn't disconnect the battery. Just that I've NEVER HEARD a verifiable problem from welding on a vehicle. But it sure makes sense to put the ground close to the weld.

MinnesotaEric · Feb 28, 2017

NTG said:
I have one of the cheap HF flux wire welders and I've only welded a couple things with it with decent results I thought. Now I want to weld a piece of expanded metal on the ROPS bar on my tractor to keep from getting my brains busted out. My questions are, where should I connect my welder's ground cable and do I need to be concerned about shorting out the electrical system on my tractor if I connect something wrong? Tractor is a 2016 NH Workmaster 33.

Unbolt the guard and bring it to your welding table. use blue 242 LocTite when bolting it back on.

Jeepnford · Mar 1, 2017

EricTheOracle said:
Unbolt the guard and bring it to your welding table. use blue 242 LocTite when bolting it back on.

If you haven't done much welding yet this is a very good idea. It will be much easier welding with the ROPS laying horizontally.

crystallake · Mar 1, 2017

You should consider making a frame that is removable. The expanded metal can be welded to the frame and the frame bolted to the ROPS.

Sodo · Mar 1, 2017

That's what I'd do. Drill & tap the ROPS then you don't burn your ROPS paint. Also the whole thing can be made on the bench, painted too.

Or maybe your ROPS is foldable? Fold it down it might be easier to work on, horizontal welds not vertical. For the ground sometimes its easier and more reliable to grind a little un-seen spot for a vise-grip and attach your ground to the vise grip.

OkieDave · Mar 1, 2017

If your ROPS is foldable, you might be better off using a frame and some sort of quick-disconnect fasteners. Otherwise, you might find yourself unable to fold it because objects going into what is now free space...won't be.

(Also consider that the objects may not be there now, but you might want them in the future. I want to put a toolbox on my tractor that will be inside the open space of my ROPS when folded. I'd definitely use a frame and QD bolts/wingnuts/etc.)