Project 1 from Rambozo. Category: Custom Automotive Off Road Welding

[Rambozo]

I've been meaning to post this project, I actually finished it before my 140ST came, so no Everlast on this. It does have MIG, TIG, and SMAW just because of the situation or what would work best. The TIG was mostly my CyberTIG, the stick was a Miller Thunderbolt, and the MIG was a Century 120 volt mostly used for tacking.
This is going to be a tractor mounted weed sprayer. Started from the bottom with the skids. Cut up some square tube for them, and TIG welded them up. Smoothed the sides a little. Because my original plan called for a lot more 45° joints, I made up a 22.5° square to check parts and set the saw. Then started on the upper cage parts. The lower rails are 3" channel and I welded them and the skids with stick.



Here is the finished frame attached to the tractor, then lifted on the 3 point. The mounts keep it level at all times. The tank is recycled from another sprayer, it's 100 gallons. Then I added mounts for the equipment, and gave it some paint. The customer likes everything done in white for some reason. Wouldn't be my first choice for somthing like this.

[Rambozo]

Here it is all assembled and installed. I added a pressure guage and a couple of switches to the tractor. The PTO pump was recycled from yet another sprayer project and setup with camlock fittings. There are two motorized ball valves that control two boomless spray nozzles. They spray about 20' to each side for a 40' total swath. The strainer is accessable through the gap above the skids, and there is an air gap setup for filling the tank, also with a camlock for the hose. The electrics connect with a twist lock plug and a quick release hose fitting for the pressure guage. The pressure is controlled by engine RPM and there is a small manual bypass valve to operate a jet agitation system inside the tank.

[Rambozo]

Next up was some add on for hand spraying. More miter cuts. If I did this a lot I would get a few saws so I could leave them set at different angles. Tacked things up and checked the fit. This is going to hold this reel using the mounting for the front weights. Another TIG job. Welded up and fits fine. Paint and install. Since the tractor frame is gray I went with that instead of more aweful white.



And lastly another recycled spray gun holder cut off something and welded to a new mounting to go where some stock handle was on the fender.



And because I was trying to explain something to someone, I shot a video of my oddball unconventional stick technique. I don't always do this, but it works for me to be steady with a full length electrode and no place to prop or if I can't use both hands. I just hold the electrode, and let the stinger rest on the back of my hand.

[undercut]

Cool project! I like your unconventional stick welding technique. I've wondered what other people do to steady the rod when it is fresh. Especially the longer rods. I'm not sure I'll be doing that myself but it sure was interesting to watch!

[Rambozo]

I know Jody at WT&T breaks off the flux to shorten the rod, but I guess I'm too cheap to waste rods like that.

[undercut]

I know Jody at WT&T breaks off the flux to shorten the rod, but I guess I'm too cheap to waste rods like that.

I saw that video. You aren't alone. LOL I'd be trying your technique before I resort to losing a bit of rod. Shoot, I burn 'em right down to the nub ....

[DaveO]

Nice work as usual- what did you use for the mitre cuts? I'm looking forward to viewing the stick technique video (can't run it at work). Any concerns about the weight of a full tank upsetting the balance of the tractor? The hose reel up front would offset that some, but it's a sizeable looking tank.

[redbeard]

Nice work as usual- what did you use for the mitre cuts? I'm looking forward to viewing the stick technique video (can't run it at work). Any concerns about the weight of a full tank upsetting the balance of the tractor? The hose reel up front would offset that some, but it's a sizeable looking tank.

That is quite a stack of suitcase weights there, if that doesn't keep it from popping wheelies I don't know what will!

[DaveO]

My bad, don't know how I could have missed those photos.

[Rambozo]

Nice work as usual- what did you use for the mitre cuts? I'm looking forward to viewing the stick technique video (can't run it at work). Any concerns about the weight of a full tank upsetting the balance of the tractor? The hose reel up front would offset that some, but it's a sizeable looking tank.

I used an abrasive chop saw. Someday I would like to get one of the carbide saws as I hate the grit spewed out by the abrasive blade, and the parts being hot.
Weight was one of the main reasons for building this instead of buying a commercial product. I kept the tank about as close to the 3 point as I could. Most of the commercial units hang much farther back. Now that it has been used a bunch, they ended up taking off two of the suitcase weights and it still handles just fine. I worked out that I could have probably used a 150 gallon tank, but this one was on hand.