Hard Surfacing Trencher Wheel

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We have a trencher at work that has worn down the wheel on one side so much that it is to the point where it is ripping off teeth and tooth holders. The material needs to be built up at least a 1/4" to get it back to the point where it is usable. Going off of memory, there is a 2-3" wide strip of material along the outside perimeter of the wheel (which is 3-4' in diameter) that needs to be done. I was just wondering what the best procedure to accomplish this would be? I was thinking of rigging up some kind of positioner so that the wheel can sit horizontally, instead of vertically, and turn while I start welding on the inside edge and work my way out, repeating this process as many times as needed until I have 1/4-5/16" built up. I have a few questions..Is this the best way to approach this?What kind of wire should I be using? The machines right now are all set up for dual shield welding, but I don't remember off hand what type of wire is there.. its mostly sub station structure and general fab.Should I worry about any warping? The wheel is probably 5-6" thick at the point where the welding will be done.. I don't thing it will be an issue, but then again if I knew everything I wouldn't be here asking questions haha.Thanks for any insight you guys may be able to provide.SteveThermal Arc 210Thermal Arc 95SLincoln Weld Pak 100
Reply:steve_o1989"Going off of memory" . . . 'The dullest pencil is better than the sharpest memory'  -   Mark Twain.You are asking for complex recommendations - on convoluted information.Photos would expedite your inquiry.Opus
Reply:My apologies. Here are some photos.Here is a look at the wheel as a whole. It is about 3' in diameter, 3/4" thick in the plate section, and 3" thick in the centre and along the perimeter ring.Here are  a couple photos of the side that needs to be built up.Thermal Arc 210Thermal Arc 95SLincoln Weld Pak 100
Reply:A positioner will definitelly make the job easier. And will allow you to keep track of how much weld you are putting on each side so you can make the same on both sides. This should prevent any warping from happening or at least from getting out of hand. Is there a way the whole wheel can be trued up on a lathe after the welding is done? I don't know if they make lathes that big!Mikel
Reply:Originally Posted by OPUS FERRO'The dullest pencil is better than the sharpest memory'  -   Mark Twain.Opus
Reply:Steve,I think I'd have just the right equipment and set up for making a repair like that.  This positioner tilts from horizontal to past vertical so it would be no trouble finding the sweet spot for laying  down long beads while it was spinning underneath the gun.  Have a Miller PipePro 450 RFC power source that wire welds really sweet. There's still some unknowns as far as the exact repair procedure goes and if it were me going to be attempting it probably  the first thing I'd do is try and contact the manufacturer to see what I could find out what material it's made out of and if they had any recommended repair procedures (or other input).  Another poster on these forums whose advice I would probably seek concerning the best possible wire to use would be "A_DAB".   His given me a lot of good help in the past with that kind of thing and I can tell you he's really knowledgeable.
Reply:Tell us how this machine is used that one side has more wear. Does one side run hard up against concrete all the time? If the wore side isn't rubbing hard against something, I smell a tracking problem. Either wheel to machine, or front wheel to rear wheel. If it isn't rubbing concrete or stone on the wore side, off tracking will wear one side. Even unequal size tires or unequal tire pressure can tilt in the trench. Just curious.          ChuckTo ride, shoot straight, and speak the truth. This was the ancient law of youth. Old times are past, old days are done, but the law runs true oh little son.Winpower 180 DCSA-200 redfaceXMT-304
Reply:I haven't operated this unit so I am not sure what the tendencies of it are when it's running. It is used in open terrain with usually few rocks for substation construction. There is however a broken weld that needs to be repaired where the wheel assembly mounts to the unit. This could most definitely throw things off.Thermal Arc 210Thermal Arc 95SLincoln Weld Pak 100
Reply:we always just built up anything that needed built up on our trenchers with 7018.  But since I have a wire feed machine now, we're probably gonna try like 71-T1 dual shield or something.-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:-------------------------Chemetron AC/DC 300 HFSnap-On MM300L Lincoln SP140 Lincoln AC/DC 225g Lincoln SA200 Lincoln SA200 Miller Bobcat 225GVictor torchesH&M and Mathey beveling machinesMcElroy Plastic pipe fusion
Reply:That positioner would be the ticket ...but i have my doubts of you getting one of those babies for this jobSo consider an axle stub  with hub assembly welded into a frame that you can alter ...mount an old  rim and Mount / clamp the trencher wheel to that so you can at least rotate it while you weld it up....that will help you somewhatFind out from the manufacturer what the wheel is made of and what welding procedure they recommend for the build upand or contact who ever is going to supply wire or rod and see what they recommend....Just building it up with 7018 may not be the thing to doFigure out the root cause of this problem and correct itBacked my CATMA over your CARMA oops clusmy me  What would SATAN do ?? Miller Trailblazer 302 AirPakMiller Digital Elite  Optrel Welding HatArcair K4000Suitcase 12RC / 12 VSHypertherm PM-45Rage 3 sawRusty old Truck