Can I repair bush hog sheet metal with stick welder?

[k0ua]

Would you believe that I have welded 6013 with an industrial 24 volt 25 amp transformer? 1/16 and 3/32 works.

The transformer is a Hammond generally used on heavy production to operate relays etc.
Striking an ark is challenging but darn good practice, also you get to reset breakers often (sticky rod) .

While I never bothered to check out penetration, things tended to stay glued.

Your kinda far north to be a southern redneck.

 

[newbury]

Your kinda far north to be a southern redneck.

Don't you know Sainte-Adèle, QC, Canada is in the DEEP south of Canada?

 

[Arc weld]

I'd use at least 12 gauge to repair it and 6010/6011 is a good choice for thinner steel because the slag doesn't bother you when whipping or making a series of tacks to limit heat input. With 12 gauge anything should work fairly easily though.

 

[sd455dan]

I used 10 gauge to patch a hole in my brush hog.
I know it looks like bird poo, but it held after I patched a couple of holes.

I gave it the hammer test, then used it for an hour or so.

But that was my first weld w/ my $265 PA 300, I had to run it at about 28 amps w/ 1/16 rod and I still blew holes.

A mig would have been more appropriate.

/edit - I could not imagine hogging with a bush hog with 20 gauge metal on the deck, my rocks would fly right through it.

I have to agree

OP is sure it is that thin?? Even the hood on my Rhino tractor is 14 gauge

whoops after reading another page it appears to be thicker material.

i also have an old Ford 6 foot brush hog and would be surprised if the metal deck is thinner than 10 gauge and pretty sure it is thicker metal than my woods Brush bull,

also the previous owner of the ford cutter looks to have welded up some cracks in it and appears to have been done with a stick welder no burn thru
and they are pretty good sized beads.

 

[LD1]

I'd put a whole new deck on if its that bad. Do it right the first time. May seem like alot of work, but so is trying to fit a bunch of patches. A new deck will be alot better I. The long run.

And agree 20 ga is way too thin

 

[LD1]

I'd put a whole new deck on if its that bad. Do it right the first time. May seem like alot of work, but so is trying to fit a bunch of patches. A new deck will be alot better I. The long run.

And agree 20 ga is way too thin

 

[GLyford]

I've done some pretty light stuff with 1/16 7014, which can be a little easier to run since it is a drag rod.

 

[joeu235]

If you do all the fab and prep work, you can probably find someone to MIG it for you for an hour or so of shop time.

 

[Relic]

Try 6011,3/32 rod and try and direct most of your heat against the angle iron.I've found that works for me.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Any of the stick rods mentioned should work for a patch especially if you use thicker patch material. I have patched cracks in thin bush hog decking using 3/32" 6010 and 3/32" 7018 rods. I also have some 3/32" 6013 and I wouldn't recommend getting any smaller rods than that because of the weld metal deposition. The 3/32 don't put out much metal but they do have lots of slag to contend with. I much prefer the 6010.

I also agree that if it is really rusted out, a full deck replacement might be easier. When welding the deck pieces to the support structure, it is very easy to do with 7018 all the way and no burn thru issues.

My bush hog has a 1/4" steel replacement deck on it that wont ever wear out or rust thru in my lifetime. I bought it from a guy in the Houston vicinity that does that kind of work. I bought the 8 foot BH for less than I could buy the steel. He buys old tanks for scrap and cuts them up for decking.