Welding.

[Thomas]

How should I prepare my Kubota for welding.
Should I disconnect the pos & neg leads,and what other electric should I know about.

Thank you.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[chuckp]

Thomas;

I, like you am a novice at welding. Just purchased a MIG Welder and have been reading the book/w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif. I do know you don't want to do any welding around fuel, oil, or Hydraulic fluid or any liquid that will burn or explode /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif.

Chuck

 

[Rowski]

Thomas,

As far as I know disconnecting the battery is to protect the alternator regulator. When I weld on cars most the time I just disconnect the battery terminal. On cars with very sensetive electronics I disconnect the ECM(s).

I usually disconnect the negative terminal for saftey reasons. If you have a wrench on the neg. terminal and your wrench touches ground nothing happens. If you have your wrench on the positive terminal (negitive still hooked up) and your wrench touches ground something is going to get warm /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif and you might damage something else too.

I don't know of any elctronics (other than the voltage regulator) on most compact tractors. I'm sure the more sophisticated AG tractors have more sensetive electronics.

Derek

 

[Bird]

I don't know where to find it, but I know there was a discussion in the past about the possibility of damaging main bearings, I believe, and that not being covered by warranty, if you weld on the tractor without disconnecting the battery. I just don't remember the details, but I believe I'd disconnect them before doing any welding.

Bird

 

[gordon]

I heard talk somewhere about the main bearings seizing up or cooking them as well. Never have seen it happen or knew of anyone else who saw it as well. But it must have happened somewhere, sometime to someone so be cautious.

But like the others have already said unhook the battery terminals always the negative first!!!
Beware of any vapors as well an open gas can at the other end of the barn can cause some very bad trouble. Safety first is the key.
Gordon

 

[dullpain]

All the safety precautions about fuel, oil, battery vapors apply. Never weld close to any hose or elecrical line as heat travels fast and it will melt it. Disconnect the battery to protect alternator and components. I have welded on cars, trucks, tractors, and just about any other type of equipment you can imagine. I have NEVER heard of damaging engine parts such as main bearings or the like. Now I am a self taught half a__ welder with a Lincoln Idealarc AC/DC 250 amp stick machine , Oxy/Acy rig, and looking to buy a MIG machine soon. Any real welders out there have empirical evidence of main engine bearing, cam bearing, etc damage occurring while welding on vehicles? Sure would like to hear about it.

 

[Bird]

I don't have any proof or evidence, but I believe the message that was posted about damaged bearings was posted by a Kubota dealer. Was it Steve Carver? Or someone else?

Bird

 

[Thomas]

Bird,
Thats what the Kubota service department told me,for I could damage the bearings when welding by pitting them. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[Thomas]

McCallum,
I'm I on the right track by using MR600 rod..heat set at high..125 for 3/8inch angle 1/4inch iron and plate steel.
Is there a better way?


Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[TomG]

There have been at least two people on different boards over the past year that said they had first hand experience with damage to engine/drive train parts from welding. Each case had to do with where the ground cable was connected.

The idea is that if something convenient, like a wheel or a case, is used for the ground, then the very large currents from the welder run through the tractor. Clamping the ground as close to the welding site as possible is supposed to cure the problem.


Whether it's just talk or not, running current through mechanical parts doesn't seem like a good idea, and no harm is taken from the cure.