leaf spring couplings

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when welding leaf spring couplings to trailer frame should you weld all the way around,i have heard this can create a weak point
Reply:I assume you mean the mounts, the channel shaped pieces that the eye bolt goes thru as well as the link mount on the rear?No, don't weld it all around, just weld it along the length of the frame not across. Think of it this way, if you take a piece of 1 x 2 board and put a slight cut across the board and then bend it it's going to break at the cut. If you cut it along the length of the board and flex it the same way it's not going to make a difference. Think of the cuts as the weld, I realize it's a very odd explanation but it gets the point across.....Mike
Reply:Where not talking about timber here.what are your qualifications
Reply:The actual technical name in Australia is called LEAF SPRING COUPLINGS, and what I am wondering is why people say that welding the full way around causes 'weak spots' yet JAYCO who is known world wide and obviously carry a great deal of weight on their trailers....then why is it that they weld the complete way around?It's just that it is very hard to understand your terminology in timber and cuts compared to the strength in a weld on steel.Have been a boiler maker for 15yrs in structual welding, have made trailers b4 with always welding the complete way round and passing roadworthy's - was just wondering if anyone else has heard of it causing weak points as it is all new news to me.  Just wanting to double check.
Reply:My qualifications:Went to trade school and got out in '74 from welding.Started in a fabrication shop and was there for 16 years, the last three as shop foreman, three before that running a shear, brake and rolls, the 10 years before that fabricating structural, railings, trailers tanks as well as welding same. Have held numerous tickets, most of which i can't remember. Left there and started working for NSDOT on heavy equipment in the welding shop, got my red seal a few years back. Been involved in designing as well as putting to paper prototypes of plow fronts, trailers and other misc equipment as well as repair of same. Built, from scratch a few dump bodies, pics attached, from scratch by myself as they were looking for a different design. I still have my origonal drawings done in TurboCAD and, with a few mods the same body is used todayBuilt this centerline truck as well as the two s/s paint tanks on the front, majority of it by myself (yes I like to work alone and I'm lucky in that they usually leave me alone) Din't do the body work tho, I suck at thatI'm not by far the smartest person in the trade but figure I can hold my own. Qualified enough for 'ya ....Mike Attached Images
Reply:cheers bud - you learn somethin' new everyday.
Reply:Being the manufacturer of 780+ trailers in my time I can say that the recommended way is NOT as described above. Dexter Axle, the leading supplier of axles here in America, recommend the spring hangers be mounted with the weld going across the front and rear of the hanger and wrapping around both sides. I could not find the info on their web page so the below pictures were taken directly from their catalog. I hope the pictures are clear enough to see the proper procedure. Attached ImagesI am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:I might also add that I have seen hundreds of other trailers with the hangers welded down the sides and also some welded all the way around with out ever seeing a failure other than a few that were just poorly welded to begin with.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:interesting  -- all the more so as I will be welding a set in the next couple of weeks. thanks-- fredLincoln 180C MIG
Reply:Thank you for the correct information , so i did know somthing after all
Reply:Thanks for the info Dabar, efinetly going to file that info away in my mind.I tried to find some info re the welding but didn't have any luck to back me up on paper even tho i know i've seen it. I'm gonna keep looking tho :-).....Mike
Reply:When faced with the wps you can't argue with it, but I was taught that when a weld is perpendicular to the structural member it causes a stress riser.  It is more likely to crack next to that weld.  The rule was when able, weld parallel to the member.  There were a few rules about grain structure/direction, too.  I am always glad to have a wps that I can go by.
Reply:Originally Posted by mrmikeyThanks for the info Dabar, efinetly going to file that info away in my mind.I tried to find some info re the welding but didn't have any luck to back me up on paper even tho i know i've seen it. I'm gonna keep looking tho :-).....Mike
Reply:I have received a couple of P.M.'s asking if this recommended procedure is just for the 9,000- 15,000 hangers as shown in the pictures or if it applies to all of the saddle type hangers. The answer is yes, all hangers of this type are recommended to be mounted as in the above pictures. The picture posted was just the first one that I came across in the catalog, my apologies to those that may have been confused or unsure by my posting.I am what I am, Deal with it!If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!
Reply:Originally Posted by taykynwhen welding leaf spring couplings to trailer frame should you weld all the way around,i have heard this can create a weak point
Reply:Originally Posted by mrmikeyMy qualifications:Went to trade school and got out in '74 from welding.Started in a fabrication shop and was there for 16 years, the last three as shop foreman, three before that running a shear, brake and rolls, the 10 years before that fabricating structural, railings, trailers tanks as well as welding same. Have held numerous tickets, most of which i can't remember. Left there and started working for NSDOT on heavy equipment in the welding shop, got my red seal a few years back. Been involved in designing as well as putting to paper prototypes of plow fronts, trailers and other misc equipment as well as repair of same. Built, from scratch a few dump bodies, pics attached, from scratch by myself as they were looking for a different design. I still have my origonal drawings done in TurboCAD and, with a few mods the same body is used todayBuilt this centerline truck as well as the two s/s paint tanks on the front, majority of it by myself (yes I like to work alone and I'm lucky in that they usually leave me alone) Din't do the body work tho, I suck at thatI'm not by far the smartest person in the trade but figure I can hold my own. Qualified enough for 'ya ....Mike
Reply:After re-reading my post, #5, I realize it could be misconstrued as sarchastic. My apologies to anyone I have offended as it was not meant that way, I was trying to state what my opinions were based on....Mike
Reply:I didn't take your reply as sarcastic, just answered a question.BTW, we like pictures of projects, your projects look impressive!!!MarkI haven't always been a nurse........Craftsman 12"x36" LatheEnco G-30B MillHobart Handler 175Lincoln WeldandPower 225 AC/DC G-7 CV/CCAdd a Foot Pedal to a Harbor Freight Chicago Electric 165A DC TIG PapaLion's Gate Build
Reply:Thanks Mark, I'm lucky in that I work in a place they usually leave me alone....usually :-).....Mike