Do I need to get a 220v mig

[chim]

Have you had that fork setup long?
Need to make a set of forks for the front of our tractor and I'm planning on using bale spears like that, but wasn't sure if I could get away with them on the bottom (probably welded to a piece of 4x4 tube, or a piece of heavy C channel) or if I needed to go through the plate.
View attachment 657030

Aaron Z

I only made the forks during my "Covid-cation" recently but they've passed a couple tough tests.

The first was with that 10' pipe "Amish Crane" arrangement Amish Crane, Creek, Big Tree Stump - OrangeTractorTalks - Everything Kubota and the second was taking the weight of another tree trunk on one tine. Having seen the deflection (and return) of the bale spears under those loads I'm very confident about the long term survival of both the spears and the welds.

It took a while to decide how to attach the spears. The idea was to keep them very low on the frame so they could scoop under brush without dragging other mounting components. I did have serious concerns with just welding the round bushings to the flat bottom of the tube frame. One was that I didn't think I'd be able to get enough support with beads between the round and flat surfaces. Another was the bushings are about 2" longer than the width of the tube they're welded to. Seemed like the bushings deserved more connection than the 3" dimension where they cross the tube. Both of these were addressed by reinforcing each bushing with a few pieces of 1/4". Each side of each bushing has a piece that's cut the width of the square tube and a bit longer where they are welded to the bushing. Then each bushing also has a triangular piece that is welded to the front face of the square tube and the top of the bushing. Here's more on the build:

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...rks-second-attempt.html?highlight=brush+forks

 

[aczlan]

Thanks, that gives me some ideas.

Aaron Z

 

[cqaigy2]

I love new stuff. But I have to agree with this. Try what you have and learn the techniques to use it.

My Hobart 210MVP seems to trip a breaker when I attempt to use 110 seriously. Switch to 220 and it痴 an animal.

My tombstone AC/DC is at least 40 years old that I know of. Don稚 use it much but pulled it out the other day to deep weld some rusty channel iron.

I do have to say though. I splurged and bought (used) a speed glass auto darkening helmet.
That is the bestest greatest most awesomeness thing ever to help your welding!

I used to love how my tombstone would blast thru stuff with 6011. I really don't want to hi-jack, but model of your Speed Glass?

 

[TeamPSI]

I've been using a 110 V Mig since I started welding. It's always done the job but lately I need to weld some heavy duty stuff so I grabbed a Lincoln tombstone 225 AC stick and it's capable of handling the heavy jobs. Pretty cheap also