welding loader wheels

mclean · Nov 30, 2014

Ive got an older h50 hough international wheel loader. The tires were shot. I had some military truck tires sitting around, so I cut the centers out of the 24" tractor/ loader wheels. And welded the 12 lug pattern onto the 20" military wheels. The tractor wheels were 3/8 the military wheels were 1/2. I only welded the outside, full circle. Im now thinking I should have welded both sides.. On both the other wheels only 1 side was welded. But they were better welds, machines are good at circles..

Delmer · Nov 30, 2014

Whatever you want as long as the tires aren't mounted at the time.

mitch504 · Nov 30, 2014

I'd probably weld both sides in alternate locations, but welding one side would probably work, too.

Just think of what'll happen if you are driving this thing 70 mph on the interstate when one comes off.

Seriously, whatever you do, make sure you take the tires off, or at the very least, knock beads off on both sides.

digger242j · Dec 1, 2014

You don't say whether you removed the tires or not. Maybe you knew how important that is, and just didn't include that in your post.

Anyhow, as Delmer and Mitch have suggested, and for anyone reading this thread later on, here's a discussion we had some time ago on the danger of welding wheels while the tires are mounted:

https://www.heavyequipmentforums.com/showthread.php?16857-Dangers-of-welding-wheels

It's worth a read for anyone considering doing any welding on wheels.

mclean · Dec 1, 2014

I didnt dismount but i did have the valve stems (not just cores) removed.. left a good 3/8" hole.

Pretty crazy movie. Seems like all is well as long as the pressure cant build. Definitely good argument to remove the tires.

digger242j · Dec 1, 2014

Post #54 of that thread:

Nige said:
If you listen to the soundtrack on the video the Bridgestone guy explains it. The root cause is a chemical reaction called pyrolisis caused initially by the transfer of heat from welding the rim to the tyre in the first instance. However even if you take away the source of heat the reaction continues and it's the heat generated by that reaction that causes the pressure to rocket up and finally the tyre to explode. So the process is more complicated than you think.

The problem is that even removing the valve stem is not guaranteed to allow the air to exit fast enough, because the rapid rise in pressure cannot be relieved just through the small diameter of a valve stem, so the tyre may still explode.

(Bold added)

And again, that's for anybody reading this thread later on. I'm happy to hear nothing bad happened, but just because you didn't have a problem doesn't mean simply removing the stems is the safe way to do it.

kshansen · Dec 1, 2014

I'll second what Digger says. Even with the stems out there is a chance for an explosion. Count yourself luck this time but don't try it again
! Just think what someone will do to that sweet old Hough 50 if you are not around to take care of it. Can you say Kia or Hyundai

Or worse!

digger242j · Dec 1, 2014

All Digger said was to listen to Nige. He's a guy who knows what he's talking about. Digger himself is clueless...

Nige · Dec 1, 2014

Talk about your past coming back to haunt you ...............

Everything that I posted way back then still applies. DON'T EVEN THINK of welding on wheels with the tyres still installed (with or without removing the valves stems) if you want to live to see your retirement.

oldseabee · Dec 1, 2014

If you are driving down the interstate at 70 MPH in an old h50 Hough you have a lot more to worry about then a wheel coming off.

mitch504 · Dec 1, 2014

oldseabee said:
If you are driving down the interstate at 70 MPH in an old h50 Hough you have a lot more to worry about then a wheel coming off.

Ahh, somebody noticed.

I saw my brother drive a great big old Trojan loader (about 20 yd machine) nearly 60 mph once.

mclean · Dec 1, 2014

oldseabee said:
If you are driving down the interstate at 70 MPH in an old h50 Hough you have a lot more to worry about then a wheel coming off.

Yes this machine has no business in the double digits.. slow and steady.

Shimmy1 · Dec 1, 2014

mitch504 said:
Ahh, somebody noticed.

I saw my brother drive a great big old Trojan loader (about 20 yd machine) nearly 60 mph once.

Was he in "redneck" overdrive? Guy once told me he was running an old Champion grader down the hill once, it got cookin faster than the brakes could hold. He just started pushin the moldboard in, said he threw dirt 20 ft into the ditch. Pretty crazy story, but the way he talks, he was crazy as they come.

mitch504 · Dec 2, 2014

We had an R-model Mack with an old steel dump trailer in front, my brother on the loader in the middle, taking up both lanes on a 4-lane rd, then me in a service truck. The plan was to put the loader bucket against the trailer and let the truck slow or stop the brakeless loader as needed. We made it through the city ok, then we climbed the very high Sampit River bridge on US 17. When we started down, the truckdriver got nervous looking at that huge bucket in his mirrors and took off. When we got to the bottom of the bridge we were running between 55 and 60. The driver pulled over at a store and was standing by his truck when we pulled in. He started apologizing before we got to him, but my brother just calmly walked up and laid him on his back with one punch.

mclean · Dec 2, 2014

If i had been driving the loader, whomever was elected to be the brakes would have been more carefully selected..

kshansen · Dec 3, 2014

mclean said:
Yes this machine has no business in the double digits.. slow and steady.

Double digits are fine as long as the first digit is a 1:tong

Robert Steven · Apr 22, 2021

Guy once told me he was running an old Champion grader down the hill once, it got cookin faster than the brakes could hold. He just started pushin the moldboard in, said he threw dirt 20 ft into the ditch, please always read welding guides before starting it.

Robert Steven · Apr 23, 2021

Robert Steven said:
Guy once told me he was running an old Champion grader down the hill once, it got cookin faster than the brakes could hold. He just started pushin the moldboard in, said he threw dirt 20 ft into the ditch, please always read welding guides before starting it. welder guide

pushing* ( mistake )

welding loader wheels

Weld both sides, 1 side, or dont weld a wheel?

Weld 1 side

Weld both sides

Never weld loader wheels

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