Jimmy G 10 #1 Posted July 1, 2023 Question for you Wheelhorse guys and gals out there, I have a loader on my C141 and need to weld the front scraper nosing to bucket as it has boke away in the center and wondering if welding when on the tractor do I need to disconnect the battery? If so is that all I need to disconnect? Thanks for any help in advance. Hope you all have a safe and blessed 4th of July holiday weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #2 Posted July 1, 2023 The rule of thumb I've been taught is when welding on any vehicle or equipment ALWAYS Disconnect the battery. Happy 4th !! 🎆🎇 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 15,937 #3 Posted July 1, 2023 Yes, you sould disconnect the battery 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,649 #4 Posted July 1, 2023 I have welded on plenty of machines and the battery is of least concern. The most important is putting the ground in good contact with the work. No moving joints, bearings, other components etc. Grind a nice bare spot for the ground on the bucket. If you are concerned with the battery it is an easy disconnect. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 7,344 #5 Posted July 1, 2023 22 minutes ago, JoeM said: No moving joints, bearings, Yup - arcing a poor ground thru either a needle or roller bearing spells trouble... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,848 #6 Posted July 1, 2023 33 minutes ago, JoeM said: The most important is putting the ground in good contact with the work Exactly, put the ground on the same bare base metal that you will be striking the arc on. Improper grounding can ruin bearings in transmissions. 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimmy G 10 #7 Posted July 1, 2023 43 minutes ago, JoeM said: I have welded on plenty of machines and the battery is of least concern. The most important is putting the ground in good contact with the work. No moving joints, bearings, other components etc. Grind a nice bare spot for the ground on the bucket. If you are concerned with the battery it is an easy disconnect. So I guess I can weld the bucket on the tractor as long as I grind a good spot on bucket? Shouls I remove the bucket from the loader arms so it is not attached to tractor? Thanks 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,649 #8 Posted July 1, 2023 And don’t discount hydraulic hoses or cylinders, don’t ask ! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,214 #9 Posted July 1, 2023 45 minutes ago, Jimmy G said: So I guess I can weld the bucket on the tractor as long as I grind a good spot on bucket? Shouls I remove the bucket from the loader arms so it is not attached to tractor? Thanks EVERY weld. EVERY time. You should grind a VERY good clean spot for the ground to connect. A bad ground equals a poor weld. If the bucket is easy enough to disconnect it certainly wouldn't hurt to be off the tractor. If that's a project by itself just make your weld prep great. Good clean surfaces free of all contamination. No rust paint mill scale etc. On the pieces to be welded AND the ground contact area. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jimmy G 10 #10 Posted July 1, 2023 Any else out there with a loader as I can't seem to get the top pin where the leveling rod goes on the right side looking from front of bucket out. The other three pounded out but this one won't budge. I would think it slides out also. I have been beating on it but no luck. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OoPEZoO 368 #11 Posted July 2, 2023 And if you are MIG welding……don’t forget to turn the gas bottle on. Lest you spend the next 45+ mins fiddling with settings, scratching your head, and grinding off crappy welds before the lightbulb comes on. At least that’s how I spent my Friday afternoon….LOL. 1 1 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,450 #12 Posted July 2, 2023 Keep your ground lead on a clean spot as close to your weld that you conveniently can. In other words shortest path for current to pas to the ground lead. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
