Need Lincoln SP170T capacity advice

[sixdogs]

I have welded MIG for years and recently completed a Tech school welding class. My experience at home was with my Lincoln SP 170T (240volt 30-170 amp) and ag type thicknesses on the order of 1/8" and maybe 3/16". In school I used a much bigger Lincold welder--maybe 225--on thicker steel and it dialed the amps/volts itself on auto. It was wonderful.

Feeling my oats now I wonder if I can weld something with the SP170T that I have or if I should tack it and have someone else weld it? Photos attached. I want to cut off the upper and lower 1/2" thick plates and re-weld them sideways so I can use a clevis hitch with it that would fit the tractor better. The implement is a 2200 lb Brillion cultimulcher. Can my SP 170 handle this weld? I do not understand the relationship between amps and volts. I have it set up now with .023 wire and 75/25 gas. I also have some .30 wire but never used it. I also have .030 and .045 flux core wire. What do you think? Maybe I could also bolt the side plates to the hitch pole and then weld?

It would be nice to have a bigger welder but I don't have that much of a use for more than what I have, A stick welder does not appeal to me since the MIG is so clean and easy. What are the limitations of my SP170 and can I weld those plates to the sides of that steel hitch? Should I buy that bigger Lincoln welder? Any advice?

 

[yomax4]

The 170T is really for all practicle purposes a 130 amp unit but it will work. When you cut the pieces off, Make a slight bevel in the areas to be welded. Clean very well..
Set in place and put a couple tack welds with .035 S6 mig wire to hold it in place. Pre Heat with your torch to about 500-800 degrees. Apply multiple passes running full power. Maybe do a little weave in your welds to burn in on both parts.. Nothing to it.

 

[ericher69]

I own this mig also and with practice and the right wire speed you can definitely weld more than the rated capacity

I would drill your piece of steel (either the tube or plate not both) with a 1/2" bit and
weld the whole to the other piece as extra insurance against breakage

 

[sixdogs]

Think I should use flux-core wire for this?
I have both .030 and .045 flux core although I have never used the .045.

And while I'm asking questions, do you can I run this welder off my 10,000 w generator?
Thank you.

 

[ericher69]

Flux core is usually for outside work more than anything. I have never run mine with flux...

I have mine set up with pure CO2; as you get better penetration with a little more spatter as a downfall

Check this link;

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/ServiceNavigator/LINCOLN3/IM794.pdf

I believe you need a 22amp circuit on 220v

 

[crazyal]

The great thing about a MIG (not flux core) is that you can make multiple passes without letting the metal cool down as you clean the weld. By doing so you can weld thicker steel. Of course you do have to make sure you don't exceed the duty cycle of the machine.

 

[F250DSLPWR]

I have the same Lincoln wire welder. You can absolutely weld it up solid. The advice from the folks above is correct. Bevel and fit up your pieces very well. clean the parts with alcohol (not beer) to remove any oil. After the alcohol dries, clamp your parts together and pre heat with your torch. If you have a rose bud you can heat the parts up red hot. Use the .045 flux core wire at max amps. Before welding your parts, practice a few beads on a scrap piece of metal (clean and pre heat the scrap too) to get your wire speed right. Don't weld with little stringy beads, make the beads nice and wide. Practice and practice some more until you feel confident in your beads. Now weld your pieces together. If you can, start the weld bead before you get to the two pieces of metal. This helps you not have a cold start at the joint.

Be sure to change the polarity to negative for flux core wire. Instructions are inside the wire lid on your welder.

If you are not confident in your welding ability, having the mechanical fastener may not be a bad idea, or have a competent welder weld it for you.

Yes you can run the welder off the generator. I run mine off the generator all the time.

Lastly, I really want a Brillion cultimulcher / seeder.

Best of luck to you.

 

[sixdogs]

Thank you F250. I have decided to both bolt and weld the pieces. Good advice and I will be sure to practice. Normally, I would not attempt this thicker weld but I cannot remove the piece without a lot of problems and it's just too awkward to take anywhere. While I like and use my SP 170-T (240) a lot, and it does most of what I want, I'm thinking I should add a Lincoln 216 or 256. It seems if you have the welder, you find a use for it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The easiest solution for your problem would have been to just get a 90 degree twisted clevis that you could have pinned on on the implement and your tractor and left the hitch as is.

 

[sixdogs]

The easiest solution for your problem would have been to just get a 90 degree twisted clevis that you could have pinned on on the implement and your tractor and left the hitch as is.

Yes, you are right and that's my short term solution. But apparently because of the weight and awkwardness of the implement, a twisted clevis keeps it lurching forward and slopping around for the correct spot on turns and when I slow down. Plus, it's hard to back up or turn. Modern hitch designs (see photo) just mount the plates sideways on the hitch and use a "U" bent piece of metal for the hitch that adapts to ground positions better. If I was just going forward all the time it would be fine but I would like a better solution longer term and since I plan to paint the thing this summer I'm thinking ahead.