Advice on fixing a seed spreader

[mphymel]

I am trying to rebuild a seed spreader, one of those "the Hollow" three point hoppers. The bottom plate needs to be replaced. I had a local shop plasma cut a new bottom plate out of eighth inch plate.I just cut the old bottom out of the hopper, and left 3/8 or so around the perimeter, hoping to use it as a flange to weld to when I put the new bottom on.

My problem is that I would have to weld this like a lap weld on the inside, and also weld it on the outside to keep fertilzer dust from getting in the space between the thin hopper steel and the new plate. This would leave some space between the two welds, and it seems in the long run that would end up rotting out too.

My other option is to cut the hopper right to the radius where the flat bottom curves to the hopper, and make only one weld, but I guess I was scared to do it this way cause I thought it might be hard to weld the edge of that thin steel to the thick steel of the new bottom. I am not that practiced at welding, and this thing isnt worth paying someone to do the job. My welder is a Lincoln ProMig 135 and I never set up the bottle for using gas, so I plan on using flux core wire.

Any one have any suggestion on the best method to proceed with?

Thanks for your thoughts

Mark

 

[mphymel]

Oh, a few more details, I had that same shop make a new spinner plate, to which I welded a go cart sprocket hub with a one inch bore. To this I will install the vanes, and this will be the new spinner plate. A bolt through one of the set screws into the hole in the shaft where the old roll pins went should hold it from sliding down the shaft. Hopefully the mass of that plate wont shear that bolt, only time will tell.

 

[Tractorguy24]

can you post some pictures of you setup please? will make it easier to give advice...

 

[mphymel]

Here is the seeder with the hole cut, notice the flange area I left for a lap weld around the perimeter

 

[mphymel]

This shows the new plate in position, notice how it overhangs the OD of the bottom of the cone.

Someone on BayouGardener suggested I stitch weld and fill with JB weld. Had not thought of that option, but seems like a good idea.

 

[Tractorguy24]

I would try to weld it. If you weld it downhill you decrease penetration and therefore risk of burn through.

You don't want the arc to burn into the thin piece a lot. Try to push the puddle onto the thin piece without actually pointing your arc there a whole lot.

I didn't understand why you need to weld it form the inside also. Are you using the seeder to spread some kind of corrosive chemicals which would rust through if it stayed in contact with the metal for a while?

What thickness is the metal on the seeder?

When you weld it make sure you clean everything real well. That will make things go a lot better.

 

[BMan2005]

I would try to weld it. If you weld it downhill you decrease penetration and therefore risk of burn through.

You don't want the arc to burn into the thin piece a lot. Try to push the puddle onto the thin piece without actually pointing your arc there a whole lot.

I didn't understand why you need to weld it form the inside also. Are you using the seeder to spread some kind of corrosive chemicals which would rust through if it stayed in contact with the metal for a while?

What thickness is the metal on the seeder?

When you weld it make sure you clean everything real well. That will make things go a lot better.

What he said, keep most of the arc on the 1/8 plate with a slight angle to the sheet metal with a steep angle to lessen penetration. If it seems to be getting hot and try to burn through stitch weld it on opposite sides like 12 o'clock & 6 o'clock, then 3 o'clock & 9 o'clock, etc... Then come back and tie your stitches in. I'm no expert but this has worked for me with stick.

On the inside why not scuff it real good and just use JB weld if you don't feel comfortable with blowing through it. Not as much for the weld part, but to keep fertilizer from getting in the seam and rusting it out again. Just a thought.

 

[mphymel]

Yes you guys gave good advice. I did end up welding it, and that is exactly what I did, kept the puddle in the heavy plate and only barely swept in to the sheet metal. I also rotated stitches as y'all mentioned to keep it from creeping too bad. I think it came out ok, I could have run the grinder on it but I am satisfied with it as it is. For a guy who pulls the welder out once a year, I didnt think it came out too bad.

Tractorguy24, I was indeed worried about corrosion from the fertilizer dust. Seems everything it gets on will rust just from dewfall, and no amount of cleaning seems to be enough. From here on out, I will spray it down with diesel as others have recommended. Plus I hit the bare metal with ChemPrime, one of those rust converters, then primed with RustOleum, and will lay down a few coats after that.

I didnt weld the outside diameter, I will actually just silicone it to keep stuff from accumulating there. I am thinking that if I ever have to do a rework, I will have that outer radius to weld to, and that heavy plate can be reused, nothing is going to damage that.

Pics of the welding attached, I will throw some of the other components to help anybody else on a similar project in the future.