Excavator Boom Busted

[Daniel]

Nice Job. Like Black Wolf saying big plug welds is nothing to be scared of and you might consider stiching the fishplate, sometime it actually makes it stronger. Very nice

[JSFAB]

I agree with the others. Not only bigger plug-weld holes, but more of them, and on a plate that big, I'd stagger them also. Main value of plug welds, it prevents the fish-plate from flexing independantly of the original material.

Also, maybe you just haven't got to this yet, I'd cut that thumb cylinder mount off, put another plate along the bottom of the boom (on top in your pic), that goes at least 12" past both ends of the side plates. BEFORE you start the taper. Then weld the thumb cylinder (or stiff-leg) mount back on. There should be a plug weld on that plate, at each end of where that cylinder tab goes, so it doesn't work the new plate back and forth, solid metal down to the original boom. In addition to whatever other plug welds you choose to put in. Otherwise it will just rip out again.

[W Welding]

Finished up the repair today.
Customer is happy. Thanks for all the comments.
Blackwolf I included some pics of my truck.

[Black Wolf]

Thanks for the pictures of the truck.

Everything should lock up nicely at night to keep the crack heads out of your equipment.

Have a Good Day.

[admweld]

Nice job nice rig.Noticed the shielding gas hose on the ground you run dual shield on that?If so what what kind?Thanks

[W Welding]

admweld,

I use esab 7100 ultra and washington alloys USA E71T-1M both the same wire.
Where abouts in Mass are you?

[admweld]

admweld,

I use esab 7100 ultra and washington alloys USA E71T-1M both the same wire.
Where abouts in Mass are you?

10 miles north of Boston.In Stoneham off I-93.