utility trk with welder mounted on top of box??

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I am supposed to be getting a new utility truck at work within the next couple months, not sure what exactly it will be, but I have a question for you guys. I see alot of trucks with utility bodies, and on one side they have a welder mounted (Lincoln Ranger 8 we have) and a compressor on the other. I see this alot and wonder how the truck handles with this arrangement. I also wonder about them becoming projectiles in even a low speed accident (lots of deer here). Im just curious if any of you guys have this arrangement or any of your input. On my last truck I had my welder mounted in the bed, about 8" off the floor so I still had the 4'x8' floor to use if I needed to pick up a sheet of something. Thanks guys                                                                           Craig
Reply:I personally don't have one mounted like that, but I see a TON of them around here.  Mostly marine construction companies and equipment repair companies.
Reply:If they are bolted down properly with plates on the underside, I doubt they will go anywhere."Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:I would not mount mine like that. Number 1 reason being the elements, when its raining and your driving its power washing your stuff. The second is out of sight out of mind.You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
Reply:BCI Const in Albany does that too. Petro-Chem out of Rensselaer uses trailers as well as utility body.We have a Bobcat bolted IN the truck, slides out as needed. My truck, pulls the trailer mounted one.Most steel company's around here are set-up just the way you described. As said above, their exposed to the elements, but its the company's welder and money, so its their call....Lincoln Power MIG 210 MP ( boat anchor )Lincoln Weld-Pac 100 HDHobart IronMan 230Cutmaster 42Jackson NexGenSumner Ultra ClampsDWM120
Reply:Mounting a welding machine way up on top of the utility boxes is just ignorance.You do see it a lot, all over the country.It is a lot of weight way up high and it is dangerous.In case of an accident it would just tear the bolts out of the sheet metal or take part of the utility box with it.Think about all the heavy copper windings.Also filling the fuel is more difficult.Viewing the gauges or making adjustments to the welding current takes more time and costs the client more money for that time you spend.Servicing would be more difficult.You want heavy weight down low, not up high.Like I say ,it is just ignorance.They want everyone to see their welding machine? Ego?AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manIf they are bolted down properly with plates on the underside, I doubt they will go anywhere.
Reply:Originally Posted by monkersI am supposed to be getting a new utility truck at work within the next couple months, not sure what exactly it will be, but I have a question for you guys. I see alot of trucks with utility bodies, and on one side they have a welder mounted (Lincoln Ranger 8 we have) and a compressor on the other. I see this alot and wonder how the truck handles with this arrangement. I also wonder about them becoming projectiles in even a low speed accident (lots of deer here). Im just curious if any of you guys have this arrangement or any of your input. On my last truck I had my welder mounted in the bed, about 8" off the floor so I still had the 4'x8' floor to use if I needed to pick up a sheet of something. Thanks guys                                                                           Craig
Reply:Donald, You have made a powerful argument for keeping the center of gravity somewhere near the vehicle designers intended location.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Didnt mean to start a **** storm with you guys, looking for opinions on it and if any of you had done it, I mounted the last one in the bed as mentioned. I also used plates on the inside of the tool boxes, not just washers. I have seen alot of trucks set up like this so I was curious if I were missing something.
Reply:When I was a mechanic, I ran company trucks with the welders mounted up on the utility bed sides.  I personally mounted the welder on the side of the bed on my old 3500HD.  I wouldn't consider myself ignorant, but others may.  I've also had the 'privilege' of being in a low-speed accident (about 20 mph) where someone pulled out in front of the company service truck with the welder (Bobcat 250) on the side of the bed.  It stayed attached just fine with (4) 3/8 bolts holding it on.  So did the air compressor on the other side. The reasoning goes like this: A utility bed already has reduced bed space available in which to haul big or oversized stuff.  A welder takes up a fair amount of this space, especially if you mount it at the rear where you can access the controls (like mine is on the F-550 now). If you mount it inside the bed sideways at the front, it takes even MORE time to change the settings than if you can just walk up beside the bed and crank the dials where you need them.  It's easier to service and has more airflow when it's running to help keep it from overheating.  Contrary to above statements, the machine is not difficult to service since it's not shoved up against anything.  It's easy to fill with fuel.  Just set the fuel nozzle on top of the bed, climb up, and stand at the welder's level while you fill it with fuel.  They make covers to keep the elements off of the machine when it's under transport.  Center of gravity concerns are well-founded - you know the machine is up there.  Like a crane and air compressor.  There is a certain danger with high speed accidents, true.  That is why we plate under the machine and choose beds with thick tops.  The one on the 3500HD was crane-spec with a 3/16 diamond plate top.Would I have a welder up on top of a utility bed again?  No.  Because I won't have a utility bed.  The next bed my truck will have will be similar to a pipeliner's bed, with the machine sideways and down on my level, with a nice flat work area at the rear, and tall compartments to store torch bottles in, etc.Most people who mount the welder up high do so because they need to preserve bed space for equipment they're working on or transporting.  I think it's ignorant to call them ignorant.  Nothing personal.Last edited by tbone550; 05-15-2011 at 05:03 PM.
Reply:How many welders are ya'll seeing here? I don't think what's behind the cab is a welder?? could be. But...there are two more in a pile on the side of the road. Several ladders & bottles laying around the truck, but can't tell if the bottles were capped. Bet they weren't. IMHO he was grossly overloaded. This is one of the problems with working in the field. Where do you put everything that's needed to do the job. Lot's of the utility trucks have cranes, welders & air compressors on top of the tool boxes. Lack of room for more stuff is why, no one is showing off. Well, maybe some of them are, but lack of room is why most are loaded this way. Like tbone550 said, access is better than climbing over all of the pcs. of angle, pipe & plate in the bottom of the bed. Are they top heavy. Drive one. Hell yeah they're top heavy. Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.                                         -Cree Indian ProverbSA 200 LincolnVictor Torches
Reply:Ive never driven one with the welder mounted up high, my old truck (GMC 3500, srw) I had it mounted in the bed, abouve the floor, didnt bother me to climb up in to change settings or plug in something to run off the generator, nor did it bother me to refuel it, and I had the cover from Lincoln on it, but my truck also sits outside all the time, i would prefer to have it inside at night, but we cant do that......you do notice weathering, even with it being covered......I dont have a compressor on my truck, wouldnt mind it though....thanks for all the thoughts and concerns......I really like this forum, lots of info and knowledge....
Reply:Usually the machines I see mounted that way are smaller machines like Bluestars and Bobcats. Usually the welder is secondary for the work, often on general service trucks with comprssors and cranes, or on trucks that do garage door work. The top of the boxes on crane bodies are usually as heavy as the floor decks for exactly this reason, because they expect heavy items to get mounted up there for space reasons. The welder is seldom used, but needs to be available when needed. Giving up precious bed space usually isn't an option.Will it change the handling, you bet. So will having a load of steel on an overhead rack. Come loose in an accident? Not if mounted right, with a heavy plate or angle under the box to help spread the load. It's more likely the beams on the rack will bust loose 1st. I see few guys with front stops on racks to stop stuff from flying off in panic stops or front end collisions..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Originally Posted by monkersDidnt mean to start a **** storm with you guys, looking for opinions on it and if any of you had done it, I mounted the last one in the bed as mentioned. I also used plates on the inside of the tool boxes, not just washers. I have seen alot of trucks set up like this so I was curious if I were missing something.
Reply:all good Stickman.....haha....I just didnt want to start anything.....just curious is all.....
Reply:I apologize for saying, ignorant.Lets just say misguided instead.I understand about bed space too but even 600 lbs. up that high seems like a lot.BTW...I think that man in the accident was saved by that airbag, and possibly a seatbelt.Last edited by Donald Branscom; 05-16-2011 at 12:39 AM.AWS certified welding inspectorAWS certified welder
Reply:Be smart about it and it wont be.    If you throw it on top of a 10 Ga. box with some fender washers its will be dangerous if not fatal.No worse than hauling 60' lengths of pipe on a flatbed semi.    One dumb move and your not going to live to regret it.    Adjust your driving style and be smart about it.   ITs not a sports car its a work truck.Vantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by DualieBe smart about it and it wont be.    If you throw it on top of a 10 Ga. box with some fender washers its will be dangerous if not fatal.No worse than hauling 60' lengths of pipe on a flatbed semi.    One dumb move and your not going to live to regret it.    Adjust your driving style and be smart about it.   ITs not a sports car its a work truck.
Reply:I hear ya with the "realize what you`re driving" part, common sense goes a long way in this world....