What do I use to weld this cast iron

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This is a wheel for an excavator track, I have to build up the middle ridge so that the excavator track won't keep slipping off. This is some sort of cast what do I use to weld it? I was thinking about wrapping a flat bar around the wheel and welding it on. What do I use, 7018, dual shield, or regular mig wire? Any ideas?

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Reply:Should be steel. And that idler won't hold the track? Looks pretty good from here.  I think the track is worn enough it can't be tensioned properly.
Reply:I hit it with the grinder in it showed yellow Sparks like it was cast iron or somethingSent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

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Reply:

Originally Posted by 12V71

Should be steel.
Reply:Well I guess it could be cashed steel to be honest I wouldn't know the difference between cast steel and cast ironSent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

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Reply:Is there another one of those on the other side of the machine? What does that one look like? I'm no excavator mechanic but I question why that track comes off, and if making that center ridge thicker is the best fix. Could be wrong, IDK.Ernie F.
Reply:I don't know wnything about thesef machines, but that's what the customer ordered lol, and he says he'll bring the other one once I'm done with this one Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

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Reply:Drill a small hole somewhere.  If it puts out curly chips that are long, it's steel.  If it puts out either tiny granules, or really small chips, it's cast iron/semi steel.Cast.........use high nickel rod.  Steel............use anything you'd normally use.
Reply:Did the owner look into replacement wheels??The aftermarket wheels are relatively cheap,,My nephew is as cheap as they come, and he replaced the wheels, as a low cost alternative to welding,,,,,,,,,,
Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

I don't know wnything about thesef machines, but that's what the customer ordered lol, and he says he'll bring the other one once I'm done with this one Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by 12V71

The customer is always right, But I've done a pile of track work over the years and I'm betting he's got bigger problems.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Oldiron2

If he is correct, a shrink-fit band might be fine, after cleaning everything well and maybe using a few plug welds as insurance. If he isn't right, asking lots of questions to bring out other possible problems, like excessive wear in joints leading to a loose track, or damaged components causing the track to ride up in places...might allow him to fix them and not pay for unneeded work he'll be pissed about later.
Reply:I can't imagine ANYTHING subjected to what that wheel & yoke goes through being cast iron, it's  gonna be a weldment, cast steel or forged steel and may contain some manganese. You will know the difference between cast steel and cast iron, 7018 would be a good choice, I'd give it some preheat.NRA LIFE MEMBERUNITWELD 175 AMP 3 IN1 DCMIDSTATES 300 AMP AC MACHINELET'S GO BRANDON!"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Reply:

Originally Posted by 12V71

Should be steel. And that idler won't hold the track? Looks pretty good from here.  I think the track is worn enough it can't be tensioned properly.
Reply:My last track job last December,  $60K in parts alone.




Reply:Use small drill and drill into wheel. If make a powder then it is cast iron . If get nice chip then steelDave

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

Well I guess it could be cashed steel to be honest I wouldn't know the difference between cast steel and cast ironSent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by 12V71

No to the band, weld build up only, the band will get pounded loose and then you have 8' of steel bar tangled up in the track rail/chain. seen it done before and I was the one that had to cut that junk out. Odds are that the pins and bushings in the track rails are shot, when that happens the track will snake side to side and nothing but tension will hold it on the machine but by that time you run out of tensioner travel. A quarter inch of wear per pin X 45 links is how much additional length? Been there.
Reply:Sounds great.Dave

Originally Posted by 12V71

My last track job last December,  $60K in parts alone.




Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

They are rubber tracks he saidDoes that make a difference?So you think the band is a bad idea? Building up with weld is better? Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Reply:Well I guess i could weld it and see what happens, in my experience people don't like to change their opinion on what the problem is I don't have a lot of experience with this type of stuffSent from my SM-G973U using TapatalkLast edited by MetalMan23; 7 Hours Ago at 08:19 PM.

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Reply:If it's cast iron, wouldn't the correct repair be to pad it with nickel or some other cast iron compatable rod, then cap that with wearfacing?If it's cast steel, why pad it with 7018 instead of wearface?Sent from my Lincoln Buzzbox using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

Well I guess i could weld it and see what happens, in my experience people don't like to change their opinion on what the problem is I don't have a lot of experience with this type of stuffSent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by 52 Ford

If it's cast iron, wouldn't the correct repair be to pad it with nickel or some other cast iron compatable rod, then cap that with wearfacing?If it's cast steel, why pad it with 7018 instead of wearface?Sent from my Lincoln Buzzbox using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by MetalMan23

Well I guess i could weld it and see what happens, in my experience people don't like to change their opinion on what the problem is I don't have a lot of experience with this type of stuffSent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by 12V71

Should be steel. And that idler won't hold the track? Looks pretty good from here.  I think the track is worn enough it can't be tensioned properly.

Originally Posted by 12V71

With steel tracks hardfacing is a no-no, it eats the track chains.