Welder mount

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Im looking to get an engine driven welder, as of right now its going to be a Miller Bobcat 250 diesel.. and my truck for now is a 87 Suburban the one in my avatar it has a tailgate and not barn doors.. What I was thinking about doing is mount the welder to rear of the truck like a swing out spare tire carrier http://4wheelonline.com/jeep/Smittyb...K.93520.248560 something like that, but a platform to bolt the welder to.. The biggest thing is the weight (700+lbs) of the machine, its only 19" wide so it wouldnt be hangin out too far.. I do have some quick drawings I made but I dont have a scanner to post them... I wanted to make it swing so I could still open the gate.. Im not sure if Im totally insane for even thinking something like this up...lol Im wanting some input and opinions from you all.. In theory it would work, but reality maybe alittle off... Lets hear your thoughts and questions...ThanksHarmonLast edited by 56pu; 02-14-2011 at 02:50 PM.
Reply:I'd go with a small utility trailer or build your own trailer.You get what you put in and people get what they deserve...
Reply:i would vote a small trailer also700 lb hanging off the end ? would be like haveing a 700lb tounge weightlota weight  plus hangin it from a hinge trailer you could carry materials and what about where are you hanging it from sheet metal? or gona build a cage and attach it to the frame? would have to be the frameidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:Ive thought about a trailer, and was going to use it as a last option... I was going to build an entire rear bumper and attach it to the frame. I was thinking about a dual hinge setup using bearings or bushings...If it did make the rear of the suburban sag too much I could always put helper springs or airbags on the rear...
Reply:That's too much weight for a swinging mount. What if you have to park on a slope?Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:I don't think you're totally insane.  It is do-able.  You definitely want to bolt the setup directly to the frame of the truck.  You'll want to use some very serious hinges (greasable barrel pin style and probably get ones rated for around twice the weight [I don't know that they rate those hinges for kinetic force from something bouncing up and down while you drive over speedbumps, etc...]).A couple of additional recommendations:Build a solid (very solid) cage around the welder in case you get rear-endedBuild heavy duty cut resistant locks into the arm to lock it closed, also into the welder mounts (basically, keep honest people honest and dishonest people away)Figure out how to block the ignition for the machine so that it can't be started without unlocking something solidMake sure you don't obscure your view, lights, etc... etc... etc...Make sure you check your local applicable laws to ensure that it's not considered an extended load.  Some states put 12" as the max overhang without having the item redflagged.  If it's classified that way in your state, you may have to figure out a way to permanently redflag the rack.Don't underbuild this thing...one, the machine is expensive.  Two, the cost of the machine is nothing compared to the cost of 700lbs hitting someone elses car or multiple cars on the highway and you being considered negligent in civil court.Those are just the things off the top of my head...I'm sure others here can come up with more.--Wintermute"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience." - John Lockewww.improvised-engineering.comManufacturer Agnostic:Blood----------Sweat---------Tears----|------------------|----------------|----Lincoln Red, Miller Blue, Esab Yellow
Reply:That 700# on the back = less weight on your steering axle.  I wouldn't  want to exceed the tongue weight at the normal position of the hitch ball.  It sounds like your center of gravity might be further out, so would need to reduce . . .-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Scroll down to post #6 http://www.race-dezert.com/forum/sho...oo-much-weightThanks everyone your getting my wheels spinning here.... I know it would be heavy to swing thats kinda why I was thinking bearings for the hinges. The bottom of the welder would be higher than the bumper... I know alot of people around here have those cargo platforms that go in the hitch, they are about 2'x4', and Ive never seen a flag on one.. I plan over building it for sure, and making safe..
Reply:As others have said, that's a lot of weight to be mounting back there especially when you factor in hitting potholes and bumps in the road. I think that in order to make it heavy duty enough to hold the welder, you'd have to build it too heavy for the truck. By the time you add the welder, fuel and the steel used to make it with you'll probably be all over a thousand pounds of weight back there. A trailer would be a much safer and probably much more versatile way to go. Or....If having the welder inside the truck itself is an option, they make heavy duty slide out rails where you could drop the tailgate and slide it out on a platform, slide it in when not in use. I just don't know how that would work with it being in the cab with you. The trailer would be nice so that you aren't always having to carry all that weight with you everywhere you go, you could just unhitch the trailer and take off. Having driven on PA roads, I'd be concerned with wear and tear on your rear mounted idea.
Reply:I have been thinking about the slide out rails also, Im just worried about head room, Ill have to do some measuring...Like I said before and what everyone else is thinking, its the weight thing that seems to be the big issue here.. Keep thinking about itThanksHarmon
Reply:Originally Posted by 56puIve thought about a trailer, and was going to use it as a last option... I was going to build an entire rear bumper and attach it to the frame. I was thinking about a dual hinge setup using bearings or bushings...If it did make the rear of the suburban sag too much I could always put helper springs or airbags on the rear...
Reply:I knew I shouldve put the big block in the ol burb....There could always be a cummins...lolThanks againHarmon
Reply:Why the Miller Bobcat diesel?
Reply:Is your 'burb a 3/4 or 1/2 ton? I hung a diesel genset off of a custom reciever carrier on an RV, probably a 2 ton chassis though.You should carefully check the GCWR of your truck.Last edited by tanglediver; 02-15-2011 at 12:02 AM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Its a 1/2 ton with 3/4 ton lift springs... Im getting a pretty good deal on the miller...
Reply:I don't think there is a benefit to the diesel version. Its a high rpm motor that is very loud and welds the same as the regular Bobcat (crappy, just my opinion). So you can save on some weight and get the regular version but do ask yourself why are you getting such a deal?
Reply:I just cant find a decent engine driven welder, around here for a decent price.. I found a 2008 trailblazer 302 for 3500, no thanks, the bobcat is 2800 and its a 06' and has 650hrs Its in a rental fleet and I have no control over what engine is in a used welder.. Thats why I think Im gonna get the Bobcat..
Reply:It is said that the Trailblazer is a welder that can generate and the Bobcat is a generator that can weld. So out of the two the TB is a nicer running welding machine and if you have the opportunity  run both and then decide.  I know in these times its about saving money but if your planning to make money with this machine maybe spending more may not be so bad.
Reply:I had an '84 Sub 2wd that I put 3/4 ton springs on to help with the tongue weight on my 24' enclosed trailer... After the accident (fortunately just me, nobody else involved), I scrapped the Sub and sold the trailer. I would have to say you're looking at too much "tongue weight" and your rig will just teeter/totter down the road. Been there, NEVER want to go back! Play it safe and build a trailer or find a cheap truck to mount your Miller. The life you save may be your own! Besides you wouldn't want to wreck a good ol' Sub. :-)"The beauty of the Second Amendment is that it will not be needed until they try to take it." - Thomas Jefferson If the Lights are a Flashin', STAY OFF the tracks!!! It might be me at the Throttle...