The problem: I have a welder with a 11 or 13 hp engine that is fucked up. the welder was working fine, but threw a rod. I have another welder in the shop but would like to be able to move around a little, and have another generator on the farm.

I want to set it up to run off one of our tractors. I have an old bushhog sans gearbox to mount the welder and a tool box on but I need to get the speeds right. I would also like to go steeper than the 1:6.66 gear that would take me from 540 to 3600, since the tractor would be spinning pretty fast for such a pissant load. the tractors have tachs on them, so setting the correct speed wouldnt be a problem. I had thought about doing it with some sprockets and chains on pillow bearings or a transmission or two turned around backwards. has anyone seen this done before? can you find a cheap enough gear box that will take the load?

Pto - hydrauic pump- hydraulic motor isnt out of the question, I have a bunch of that around here too.

7/29/2007 8:44:42 PM

it would be easier to just fix the engine or find a used one for it, what kind is it? if you are hell bent on it, a pulley/ pillow block setup would work the best to reduce the shockload, but if the rpm isnt right, the welder will quickly burn out that generator

7/29/2007 9:34:45 PM

get an old rearend out of some 4-banger truck, or an irs diff out of a 240 or something, with a 4 something gear... hack it up into a manageable chunk and run the pto to the axle side, 2:1 pulleys or so off the driveshaft side to the welder
depending on your gear ya should be able to get your 3600rpm from the low 400s

just my $.02

7/29/2007 9:34:51 PM

damnit... too late to edit that last post

i got real bored so i felt like drawing, not that there is anything complicated that needs illustration... but enjoy...

7/29/2007 10:08:41 PM

I had not thought of an axle. Ill see what is in the junkyard.

Nice drawing, btw.

7/29/2007 10:13:30 PM

7/29/2007 10:14:26 PM

^^ we could use the school bus rearend or the one out of that old GMC we got from Pine Top. I think it's 5.xx

7/30/2007 12:01:05 AM