Trailer Mod Part 3

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For fine movements and also if there is a traction problem the turntable can be moved back and forwards on the prime mover via a hydraulic ram. So instead of riding the clutch, they can inch a load back to it's final spot by using the ram. Alternatively if there's no traction they can apply brakes on the trailer and then "push" the truck ahead by the ram, then apply brakes on the truck and release the trailer brakes and drag it to the truck. Or do all that in reverse. The trailer also has over 8 feet of lift available.Here's a weld on one of the angles to slide and mount the drilling rig on.Here's one of the extensions I welded on, it's 4" x 3/8" with a 1-1/2 x 3/8 strong back welded underneath it. I got 20' of this at auction for $1.50! (gee it's great when no-one else bids)Here are the guides for the rig to slide into.Now it's mobile and not badly balanced, either. The top of the boom gets a bit close to the ROPS on the tractor though, might have to remove the pulley from the top as we won't need to use that bit of it.It's a US made item and has a six cyl Continental in it in a Red Seal enclosure. If anyone has any info on these units, I'd love to know more about them. Possibly going back to WW2 vintage and the utility companies used to use them for setting poles before the advent of hydraulic auger units. I can't remember the brand but it was made by a Trailer firm somewhere, I'll have to dig the manual out. The radiator was beyond repair and we adapted one from an Isuzu SBR."One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375
Reply:That's some kind of house mover.  What's the hourly rate on that thing, it's gotta be a killer.I like the welds.  I have always had trouble with a low profile fillet.  I'm fine with a regular fillet against a large piece, but welding thin flat (3/16 ot 3/8) has always presented a problem.  I used to try do it conventionally by pointing the stick into the joint at a 45 degree angle.  I'd always wind up undercutting the plate, or putting too much heat into the plate and eroding the top shoulder.Your technique looks perfect.I finally had to figure out another way to skin the cat.  Now I sort of approach it as a flat weld, and wash the puddle into the vertical shoulder.  I point the stick closer to a 90 degree angle then sort of push the puddle against the joint.  I'm not sure it's the right way to do it, but at least the welds look a little better (for a mud dauber ).  I've had to grind a few down, and haven't seen any void, or cool spot between the filler and the parent metal.  It's solid.I've also wondered if it isn't a problem with AC.  The arc gets wierd when you try to weld at a cooler setting, so I have to let it run hot, and make a wider bead.1/4 plate welded to 3/16 plate.  Approx width of fillet about 3/8 inch.  1/8 6013 at 135amps.  Next lower setting on my machine 120, next higher 150.??? Attached Images"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:If they're just working on site, lifting, shifting or re-siting you get the truck and a couple of support vehicles with timber and crew etc at $300/hour. Move it on down the highway and it's a secret only they know. They move in the dead of night and must be off the road by 7.00am. Quite a rigmarole with permits for moving and getting railways bells and lights lowered. They get along at a fair rate too.When we lift the ends of and weld them on, we'll get them back to pick it up and move it back onto the slab. Then if they can do it on a Friday, they'll leave it raised so we can weld the legs on. We had all the legs for them both until a week before the shift and some so and so stole ten of the fifteen."One of the things we have to be thankful for is that we don't get as much government as we pay for." (Charles Kettering)Mitch 180 (NZ)Lincoln SAM-400-220 + ?-400 Fordson Major + 2 x Tractapac Humber 80 + Procut 40 PlasmaMiller Spectrum 375