Chain hooks on Kubota LA463 FEL

[Highbeam]

I had to weld on galvanized metal which is supposed to make some bad fumes so I thought I would direct my big fan at the weld. Well it blew away the shielding gas and the arc blew all over and made bird poop welds. I ended up blocking the wind wit hmy body and holding my breath while welding and then moving aside to allow the wind to blow the fumes away before I took a breath.

Turns out even the oxy/acetylene torch turns the galvanized coating into funky smoke.

 

[Farwell]

I get the funky smell from galvanized metal when I cut it with my chop saw. I too hold my breath as long as I can while cutting or welding galvanized metal but it is distracting. Another problem I have when welding on my JD is the paint fumes. I use my grinder and wire brush on the areas I weld but unless I strip all the paint off that is near the welding I still get the fumes.
Farwell

 

[Freds]

There's a name for the burning zinc gas and its affect on you, I can't remember what it is now, but I've been sick twice from it. Nothing major, it creeps up on you several hours after welding, you get the chills, throw up and are fine a couple hours later. Sometimes I would weld galvanized 8 hours a day for weeks in my former life as a tin knocker. If you don't want to get sick (and can't avoid all the fumes) you try to remember to drink some milk when welding galvanized.

 

[Farwell]

Fred,
I have heard about drinking milk associated with welding galvanized metal but have never put it to the test. I have not spent that much time welding so I don't know all the potential problems. I will usually only use galvanized metal when nothing else is available.
Farwell

 

[GeneD14]

Here is a link to some good info on welding galvanized metal:
Welding Galvanized Metal

 

[Farwell]

Gene,
Thank you very much for posting the site on welding galvanized steel.
The site answered questions that I wanted answers to for years..
Farwell

 

[Highbeam]

Well good. Now I'm not so worried about dying early becuase I was too lazy to grind all the zinc off. It's not very often that something turns out to be safer than you thought.

 

[ABolt]

I saw the title of this thread and thought I had hit the jackpot - this is the exact problem I'm wondering about. The lip of the LA463 doesn't seem to offer a good place to weld reinforcement/hooks. Unfortunately, most of the responses seem to give advice on proper welding techniques. Has anybody added - or had added - hooks to an LA463?

 

[bucmeister]

I don't have any pictures handy, but on my dad's bucket we laid a piece of pipe into the notch, welded both ends and a few 4" welds along the top edge, then welded three hooks directly to the pipe and bucket lip. The pipe served to strenthen the top edge so there will be no bending.

Will try to get some pictures next time I go over to his house.

 

[john_bud]

Abolt,

I have a 461 and bolted utility hooks to the top and welded lifting hooks on the side. Posistioned the side hooks so the hook and clearance is slightly above the side strap. Did have to grind a touch away as I got a bit "enthusiastic" with the welder and the chain wouldn't bottom.

Can post pics tomorrow if you would like....

jb