Arc Welding Steel Excavator Tracks

[Woody3]

Hello everyone,

I initially was going to buy a MIG Clarke 160TM, but have since realised that it probably won't be ideal for me to do work in the field or on the "thicker" stuff.

I've got a 3T Mini digger with steel tracks. One of the chain links have snapped, so would like to weld it back together. A few have already been welded together successfully by the previous owner.

My question is, will an arc welder do it? (Are they also called Buzz boxes?) If so, what sort of welder should I be looking at. I don't mind buying secondhand. I've never welded before (hence the reason I was going to give MIG a go). Will need to weld things like estate fencing at a later date. No work required on thin bodywork etc.

Hope that makes sense to you all...

Thanks

 

[Welderpaul]

Can you not just buy a single replacement link? A more long term repair than welding?

 

[DrNik]

for the intitial outlay, buy a simple arc welder, it will perform well, stick welding isnt too hard, you need to have both pieces very very close, trying to bridge a gap for a beginner is hard, make sure both pieces are very clean, and if you can groove out the crack a bit,
isnt it a cast item?,

im sure there would be a youtube video demo on arc welding to get your confidence going, just remember to chip off the slag afterwards, that would show your lovely welds

 

[madkayaker]

I'm sorry but is this a good first job? I would think a stick welder would do the job might be worth taking it off and take it to a welder

 

[DrNik]

shame your not closer, id show you how it works lol and weld her up

 

[snowcat]

If the links are breaking its because the sprockets and chains are knacked and need replacing. the reason the links keep breaking is because the sprockets and the links have worn so they incorrectly mesh, or they have been overtightened to keep them over a worn front idler.

If you cant effectively preheat them a dissimilar may work, over wise a lo-hi with preheat, and a slow cool...

However with limited or little experience it sounds like the jobs on a loser, Its a positional structural weld, thats bodgeing the real cause of the issue.

 

[Woody3]

Thanks for all of the fast replies chaps and to DrNik for offering to show me how (unfortunately I'm a fair distance away).

Think I better get someone else to do it, as I'm not overly confident.

I've just put new sprockets on, so I may have over tightened the idler. Unfortunately you can't buy separate chain links, so will just have to keep an eye out for a pair of used tracks (rubber or steel).

Thanks again

 

[zzr1200]

http://www.digbits.co.uk/

hth