Welded my Tractor now no spark

[Shenandoah]

Actually, electricity takes every path available to it. It's 'best practice' to disconnect the battery and place the clamp as close to the weldment as practically possible. This is to minimize the chances of frying objects unintentionally.

 

[MoArk Willy]

Actually, electricity takes every path available to it. .

..........starting with the path of least resistance. Any insulators or paint between a direct path will cause the circuit to find a better one.

 

[ThomasH]

I am not sure whether you are agreeing or disagreeing. But electricity does not follow a path that does not conduct is what I said. Yes, it follows multiple other paths if they are available, with the most current flowing through the least electrically resistant area (a combination of the shortest distance and heaviest metal). So that is almost always going to be the point from the ground clamp to the stinger. I have been welding heavy equipment for 30+ years and have never disconnected a battery nor had any issues with electrical/electronics.

 

[Jesse masterson]

I did the same mistake to my hisquarvarna mower! After welding on it the first time I mowed with it when I engaged the electronic pto both coils blew at the same time! 100 bucks a piece! That was a kohler courage motor!! I'm guessing heavy equipment being made more durable could withstand more than these cheap china mowers

 

[chad22]

I'm surprised I haven't cooked something on my truck. I welded on the trailer while it was still coupled to my truck. lol

The things I were welding were the chain pocket tie downs and I told myself that I'd unhook the trailer first. But no I went ahead and welded.

Glad you got the tractor going.

Chad

 

[muddstopper]

I have been welding heavy equipment for 30+ years and have never disconnected a battery nor had any issues with electrical/electronics.

I have been working on and around heavy equipment for almost 40 years and I have seen very expensive electronics fried by Mechanics welding on the equipment. My guess is you have just been lucky. Equipment doesnt even need to be connected or be welded on. Welder once struck and arc on the rail 15ft behind the machine and the machine shut off. $10,000 later they got it back running again.

 

[ThomasH]

Oh, I don't doubt that anything is possible. Some older welders that I have been around have high frequency arc start boxes which put out all kinds of interference. If there is some super sensitive equipment around, it is possible that something happens to it because it's on the same panel for it's source power. I just say that I have been around this kind of stuff for a long time, and have never had the experience. Or known anyone that did. I have heard of such things, but like static electricity causing a gas fire when filling up a car, I suspect it's more of an urban legend than actually happens.

Of course, now that I say that, it will happen next week...

 

[Reverser]

I have been working on and around heavy equipment for almost 40 years and I have seen very expensive electronics fried by Mechanics welding on the equipment. My guess is you have just been lucky. Equipment doesnt even need to be connected or be welded on. Welder once struck and arc on the rail 15ft behind the machine and the machine shut off. $10,000 later they got it back running again.

Sounds like you work for a railroad M/W.
Unlike what a lot of people think, railroads have become very high tech. And the newer equipment have sensitive electronics.

 

[muddstopper]

Sounds like you work for a railroad M/W.
Unlike what a lot of people think, railroads have become very high tech and have a lot of sensitive electronics, now-a-days.

M/W 38 yrs and counting.
Now days, it seems all the new equipment comes out with JD engines. Those deeres have enough electronics to put a man on the moon and burn more fuel than the old Detroits an lots more than the Dueltz. Computer controls on everything. I find it funny at times, all those electronics are supposed to make things easier and faster, if they could only figure out how to keep them working they might be on to something.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Deere was never known for its fuel efficiency.