Hobby Welding Snowblower Frame Welding Repair
In my first article “Hobby Welding | Tips For Beginning Welders” I discussed reasons why someone should consider taking up welding as a hobby. It covered some of the equipment and tools you’d need and it offers helpful tips on how to get started. In that article, I also pointed out one of the biggest benefits for me to continue hobby welding was to be able to make welding repairs on my aging lawn and garden equipment. Guess what, that scenario rared it’s ugly head again. Let me tell you how my welder saved the day again.
The Problem
Due to what I would consider a minor design flaw, the frame on our snowblower cracked. If you look at the photo of the crack area, you’ll notice that the crack occurred near a hole. You’ll also notice that on the side that cracked there is less metal above the hole. This effectively makes this a weak point in the frame. The snowblower is considered a front mount, but the frame physically attaches to the rear of the tractor. There are lifting arms that attach approximately in the middle of the frame that runs the full length under the tractor.
It’s a 42” snowblower, so the auger head has considerable weight to it. The auger head would twist and sag to the ground when the snowblower was raised to the up position. This put excessive force on other points of the frame and affected the tension of the auger drive belt. It could not be used as it was.
The Solution
I actually noticed this crack two years when I was taking the snowblower off for the summer. At that time I welded the crack and it has worked for two years. However, with the weight of the auger head and the repeated lifting and use, it cracked again. In order to make a permanent repair, the frame needs to be strengthened at the point where it is cracking.
Preparation For Welding
To make this welding repair I decided to remove the snowblower and reinforce it from the inside. I used a 12” long piece of 2” angle iron to make the repair. The angle iron was cleaned and ground, so it fit tightly into place. The paint was buffed off the frame where the welds would be made. Once the material and area were prepared I used “C” clamps to secure the angle iron in place before welding. This also helped straighten the frame and get it back into its normal alignment.
Making The Welding Repair
To make the welding repair I used my Lincoln AC stick welder. The stick welder was a better choice than my flux core wire welder because the snowblower frame was made of 1/8” steel. It provides better penetration on the heavier metal and would make a much stronger repair. I used 3/32” 6011 welding rod on this project and primarily at the 75 amp settings on the welder. The angle iron was secured to the frame by welding all the edges. I used a 4” angle grinder with a buffing wheel on it to clean the slag off where the welds overlapped. I also welded the crack on the outside surface and filled the existing hole that was in the frame. Then I ground the surface smooth and primed and painted the entire repair.
To get more information on the types of tools and equipment I used on this project click on the blue links. They are extremely useful and can be used on many other home projects in the future. I would also like you to consider reading my article on safety for home projects. There are a lot of tips to help prevent injuries when using power tools and other equipment!
Cost Savings Of Hobby Welding
Because I’ve never had to hire a welder to make such a repair I had to do some searching to find the cost of having something like this welded for this article. I talk to the welder where I work and did some searching on the internet and found that rates could be anywhere from $60 to $80 an hour. And if the welder comes to you, in many cases there is a minimum charge of two or three hours. The cost of one or two welding repairs can help offset the cost of purchasing your own welder!
Other Benefits Of Hobby Welding
The actual repair on my snowblower would only take me a couple hours to complete. That included removing the snowblower and re-install it. If I were to have someone else make the repair, I could have probably been waiting a few days. During a snowstorm that time and the convenience is huge! These two things are more important to me than spending $70. First, you have to find someone to weld it. Then you have to load it up and take it to them. In this case, the snowblower weighs well over 200 pounds. With luck, their schedule will allow them to make the repair right away, otherwise, you could be waiting a day or two.
The snowblower works great with the repair that was made. My welds may not look perfect, but I am confident this repair will outlast the tractor and me! Don’t be afraid to give hobby welding a try! It can save you time, money, frustration and give you a great sense of accomplishment. Good luck with all your projects!
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