Cat 637 crack repair

[@intensemojo]

"Basically, this is a whole bunch of cracks." Understatement of the day. The only thing really holding together was your fix from two years ago. Nicely done.

[@ronbuckner8179]

The question to be asked is “can you fix this so they won’t crack again?” I’d be thinking this machine has a whole of issues with a harmonics history.

[@ronbuckner8179]

This machine is going to haunt you. With that many cracks you know . they’re gonna return. It’s like a boxer getting his bell rung, once it’s happened, it can happen again ,its harmonics

[@jojoGarBerry]

Hey...cracks = work!

[@jamesdrake2378]

Lol "you're wrong" Thanks for the content and continued success from the NJ Bayshore.

[@TennSeven]

Hilarious that every rando on the internet thinks they know better than the guy in the video actually doing the repair. Glad to see you proved the naysayers wrong once again.

[@robertdominiczak6523]

I use these videos to make me a better welder but I only work on my own machines so I never comment and never judge. Nearly forgot to mention that I am retired,70 years old and still learning.

[@orlandochacon9253]

You’re so right, they buy a Harbor Freight welder and now they’re experts.

[@Jacob-40]

And they not even have experience about that work

[@piotrpartacz8622]

This work is made good

[@dirtfarmer7472]

@@robertdominiczak6523 You can keep learning until you die, even then the learning continues.

[@justjoe7313]

"It's two years later. You're wrong." Golden! :D

[@hmrody]

You do good work in a craftsman manner. I am learning so much. I know it takes time and effort to make these videos and slows you down but they are very much appreciated.

[@danielpullum1907]

I really enjoyed seeing the success of the "firiey fuel tank weld repair". The crack around the bolt circle was scary and you made it look like play. I'm sure glad to see some of the old iron restored for another few yards of dirt. Well done Good Sir!!!!!

[@joehirschegger7723]

You can't have a channel called "On Fire Welding" without having some content with actual fire, lol.

[@Jdigger4130]

I have always wanted to see the innards of a scraper and this is too cool! THANKS FOR TAKING TIME TO SHOW US!!!! I can only imagine the shocks and stresses the frame endures. Interesting to me that they form at the narrow points and unions! JUST fascinates me!

[@ian-petersimpson1565]

Greg welds the fuel tank, the rest of the scraper fails around it! Awesome. Thanks for your tip on Cubitron discs - they're the Dobermanns Danglies!

[@BowHunterMadness]

I love when the fulltime shop guys like to put in their 2 cents on field repairs. It's a piece of equipment used to quite literally move dirt/earth, doesnt need to fancy or pretty just strong enough to hold up to the abuse. Great work as always! Any chance you got a line boring job coming up I cant wait to see that S power in action and get a true honest review. Seems too good of a price to be super quality, I want to see if it would be a good avenue for my business in to line boring. Thanks Greg

[@OFW]

I should be doing a video on the s power soon.

[@MarvUSA]

Very Nice. I like how you decided to weld up and re-drill the holes. Doing it the right way. Thanks for sharing. !

[@westerntruckandtractorrepa1353]

That damn cold won't let go, hope you get to feeling better soon. Thanks for the video.

[@russellgilson4072]

Your field experience in all aspects of repairs is extremely impressive. Always a pleasure to look over the shoulder of a professional applying their trade!

[@spencemiller5836]

I guess your channel was put onto my landing page because I watch a lot of Curtis and his Wife from the channel Cutting Edge Engineering. You two have a lot in common especially the part of doing the job the right way...cheers from Jersey!!!

[@LoBeau53]

A welder’s dream. Chase rack and fill it. I use to have to fix cracks that ran into the mounting holes on 793 diff housings. I would make up a brass stud to screw into the hole then roll the weld metal into the open thread portion without arching on the studs. Once it cooled we could back the stud out and run a tap through the hole and the threads were good to go. Never had a mounting bolt strip out the threads.

[@aaronkcmo]

0:05 I remember that video. Great reference. Your work looks awesome!

[@Bigmike3406E]

An old mechanic would always tell me when I would come out to the job and weld up all the cracks on the cushion hitches on 657 B models that those cracks come from to much use when it was new . 😎. Nice work my friend. So thankful for the new mag drills . 😊

[@jackdawg4579]

old girl has more cracks than a plumbers convention!

[@billcarlson1730]

Cripes, you will tackle anything. Great job man. Thanks for sharing.

[@BigMels..]

Now this gentleman is what you call a proper welder well done mate cracking job .

[@Boogieshoes-s9o]

Thanks for the welcome back 👍 looks like a row of silver dollars, If you built border wall panels would keep you very busy for long time .

[@stephenmeeks684]

You’re sick. I hope you get to feeling better soon. Great work too.

[@robertbyrne7241]

The paint you put on 2 years ago is the best paint on the machine.

[@briantetreault1875]

That frame is the definition of “I’m tired boss”

[@ronbuckner8179]

Yessir! I truly hope she stays fixed. But I truly doubt it will.

[@GuppyMilk334]

It's crazy how much force is needed to make such a solid chunk of metal start to crack. I've never worked with heavy equipment before, and I'm surprised. You do really great work!

[@MrRebar15]

*On Fire Welding* Bravo well done, thank-you sir for taking the time to bring us along. GOD Bless.

[@lucmarchand617]

Yes,all this crack is normal I saw lot worse here alberta most on winter work steel is cold and all twist and turn and uphill and downhill when job is over is hell job repair before next job.i saw cat dealers finning repair scraper near due wet dirt on huge job clean up due winter.this huge job but at least ready next job for contractor steady repair due a stress on machine.thanks video again.😊

[@victorjeffers1993]

As particular as you are about how to prep and get to good metal I had no doubt that those welds you did 2 yrs ago would hold ! You do a great job ! If I were 40 yrs younger I would want someone like you to train me to fabricate an work and weld metal ! Thanks for the update ! Stay Safe !

[@jiml9971]

Way too go Greg!! Thanks to your classes. I know use might exclusively in the field on yellow iron crack repairs. It’s so much faster than the 7018 stick method.

[@TheRitchieLeeShow]

I like the way you got the tape started. I have never seen a mag drill run a tape.

[@alanschwier4045]

Greg… we really enjoy your videos and like your other friends, always looking forward to your next projects. It’s amazing to us how these “ monster” machines can get these types of failures. Again many thanks and do take care…

[@bryanwillingham7023]

This guy is on point the reason we watch he makes it looks easy. He is highly skilled and his experience shows

[@badjeepman]

Lots of people don’t realize how long this prep would take with a normal size engine drive. I have a 300 amp machine and a 500 amp machine, 500 is the largest machine I have ever gouged with the step from 300-to 500 is amazing, can’t imagine 300 to 800 , !!!

[@OFW]

It’s a big difference. Almost scary.

[@markfryer9880]

Another 200 Amps and you could run those ridiculously large broom handle sized electrodes that some welding channels have shown off with! 1000 Amps! Absolutely insane!😮

[@frfrpr]

Fiery Fuel Tank got me to subscribe. The filming and the welding keep me tuned in. Thanks

[@fasteddie8225]

Awesome video man! It’s still crazy to me that those pans hold up as long as they do! Had some 657’s at work they are monsters

[@robertpeters9438]

I don't think you need to worry about AI replacing you anytime soon! Keep up the good work!

[@PrairieMechanic]

Excellent work as usual. Appreciate the content. Thank you.

[@Gus1966-c9o]

You did a fantastic repair on that tank Greg .

[@albertgalan2483]

Love your videos, especially since you’re a local welding guy. Keep producing!

[@bfd1565]

Sweet how we can electrically erase a wield and then electrically glue it all back together again. Nice job jigging and man handling that Mag Drill. Cool stuff bud.

[@troytheconsumeroflargequan3254]

Weld thr original hot glue.

[@danielelliott3659]

I'm 61 and been doing this kind of thing for over 35 years now. This guy knows what he is doing. He has a bunch of rod to burn. Glad it's not me

[@garyyorke1080]

Well that's definitely a hell of a lot of cracks . I guess it show just how much stress these machines put up with . That was a lot of passes on that cross member. I guess that'll hold Thanks for showing how you do the repairs to your std and as your fiery tank is still good that means you know what ya doing ..lol. many thanks from an armchair viewer

[@jshelledy1]

Sounding better. Hope you are feeling better.

[@BCole-bj4lv]

Are you always expected to do such work as drilling and taping or even disassembly/ re-assembly? So often you seem to do more than just weld work. Do many welders leave this type of work to the company's mechanics to do?

[@OFW]

That is what sets me apart from everyone else. Most welders don’t do anything but weld. I love wrenching and taking stuff apart so why not offer it as a service as well. One phone call does it all!

[@gordonagent7037]

Gday mate, I’m catching up slowly on the back log of your videos and you level of skill is just sublime. I also find that I get lots of info on just how you set your work up which I find has helped me heaps. One day when you get the chance could you just explain how you build your welds up, like in that big section you just did there as I would like to know how you work it out, why you do it, when do you decide to go up or down the weld etc. I guess a lot of it is from years of practice and experience but it must be based on something. I always have a little chuckle too when you linish a surface back and then spot weld little imperfections up and linish them again, I thought I was being anal when I do it but feel I have the blessing of the master. Anyway, you work is beyond reproach, you are an artisan and I love you basic, simple commentaries. Many thanks

[@kennytoler6485]

Awesome work as norm. Glad to see your so busy.

[@coryl5142]

The redrill and tap look factory new, excellent work!

[@justinblanchard2746]

Fun to watch you do your thing. Great job.

[@squarecrab]

People who don’t repair scrapers for a living can say whatever they want about a repair. Scrapers cracking is just what they do from the amount of forces exerted onto them. Doesn’t matter how good of a job you do, the operators are gonna try their best to break it for you.

[@dirtfarmer7472]

If CAT built a scraper that an operator couldn’t break they wouldn’t be able to sell the thing.

[@markfryer9880]

​@@dirtfarmer7472Or have it move anywhere near as fast as they currently do, because it would be too damned heavy. 😂

[@Rubbernecker]

Great video, very interesting! I'm curious how you knew exactly where to drill those holes. Seems like it would be difficult to get them exact. Which is why you're the pro, not me! Thanks for sharing these vids, they are really interesting.

[@OFW]

A lot of very careful measures. I measured them 5 times before I drilled the holes.

[@JonDingle]

Great work young man, especially around that mount/mating face.

[@ronnierivera3991]

I am not a welder! I weld to repair stuff around the ranches. But how would I know what kind of material would need pre heat. I know I don’t repair anything that I think Would need it. Mostly repair disks and other farm equipment and cattle pens and trailers. Great videos!!!

[@OFW]

Just think anything super thick, like 1” or more. Or something that will have a lot of twisting stress. Pre heat and even post heat can help relax the metal.

[@ronnierivera3991]

@@OFW thank you!!

[@mikeboring1293]

Nice work, my boss thinks welding shouldn’t take that long and tries to rush me when I do it lol. I do go to school for it many years ago passed all the tests it could never find a good job doing it for a living so I just do it part time or when something breaks at work. I use my own welders grinders etc etc. some people never learn

[@OFW]

Most of the time quality welding work is not fast. But just do it once instead of 3 times.

[@markfryer9880]

If your boss doesn't appreciate your efforts at work to try and save them some money by repairing things for him, just stop doing that work, say that you are too busy with your ordinary work and let him try and find a reliable welder or boilermaker. Once he starts seeing expensive invoices, he might change his tune and if not then you have saved yourself from his nagging and aggravation. Yes, that is a poor attitude, your boss is not valuing your welding skills so withdraw them until he does. I work maintenance at a large private school in Melbourne, Australia and I have eased back on how much welding and metal work that I do and I still have metalwork jobs to do and others get handed over to our fence contractor. Being understaffed, my jobs list has been steadily growing in red on my tablet, but I can only get through so much work in a 8 hour day by 5 days per week. They have not really wanted to pay overtime, so jobs get done when they can and after urgent jobs have pushed them down the list again. I hope that my comments have helped. Mark from Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Some questions: What is the cause of the the cracks? Metal fatigue? As a former offshore fabricator I understand that the weld is stronger than the metal next to it and a crack could appear next to the new weld. Would reinforcement plates reduce the risk of new cracks in the same areas or will the forces applied to the frame make cracks next to the reinforcement plates? Thank you for the video. Learning every time.

[@OFW]

Cracks happen from thousands of hours of hard use and a bad design might play a role in that too. I don’t think plates would work that well. Plus this customer wants everything to look at original as possible.

[@Frank-Thoresen]

@@OFW Thank you for the reply

[@williamthomas9463]

Just curious how you got your hole layout for the redrilling. I know you used a trick that you didn’t share with the rest of us.

[@OFW]

I can’t share all my secrets, I used a caliper to measure center to center and just did the math. And I checked it 5 times before I drilled it.

[@2xKTfc]

@@OFW Fair enough! You cut the clip like drilling the hole was the difficult part... but even the prettiest hole doesn't do no good in the wrong spot haha

[@segomatu7063]

Wow ! Serious bunch of cracks there, seems like with a few more loads this 637 could lose its rear axle ah ah ! Rock on Buddy !

[@glenngosline3303]

Again you have done a great. You are a master.

[@samuelspencer9194]

Just wanted to know have you ever used a Haollow air ark rod the oxygen go's through the middle of it that is what I use under water to cut.just curious thanks be safe and have a great day Sam and love your videos

[@OFW]

Yes. Those are called an oxy lance. Used for cutting. I don’t think it would work well for gouging.

[@samuelspencer9194]

@@OFW thank you for the information and I also have used magnesium filled rods you only had to have 150 amps again thanks Sam

[@woodartist2021]

Another superb repair done in the field. Did you use dual shield flux core? Amazing how much stress one of those graders takes, and even more amazing is that the welds you’ve done will hold under those stresses. Probably stronger than it came from the factory. Hope your cold gets better soon, and your videos are most appreciated!

[@OFW]

Yes, I used dual shield.

[@carloskawasaki656]

Another great project, thank you for sharing ,I learn a lot 👍👍👍👍

[@HappyHands.]

Makes one appreciate the forces involved in these huge machines. Do you think the metal in this rig was over hardened? or just work hardened? or just not thick enough? or operated improperly? or just a bad design?

[@OFW]

I would say a combination of bad design and thousands of hours of hard work. It’s all apart of the game. All machines crack.

[@Bltwll]

When I was a kid I used to wait for the next episode of dukes of hazzard with so much anticipation. Now I wait you and icwelds videos. What part of Cali are you in? I’m from Tennessee but Sacramento area is my second home. I feel like your in the valley north of LA

[@OFW]

You would be correct. Fresno.

[@Bltwll]

@@OFW 😎

[@moosetallone2]

I cant believe the 7018 gods are not on here letting you have it 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@osiris829]

I see they brought you some cracks with a scraper attached. Nice work! Was that cross member a tube or solid stock?

[@OFW]

Solid and I believe it was forged.

[@terrminatoragain461]

Great job Greg Looks like you went back to your Milwaukee mag drill I guess if Caterpillar and any other heavy equipment companies,built machinery to last,yourself and a lot of others would be out of work 😂😂😂

[@toddmuehleip9250]

Is the new welding unit you purchased a few episodes back ? Looked like you were welding dual shield with the brushes between passes. Hope the new unit is proving to be a good purchase, excellent work as always.

[@OFW]

Yes, the new unit is performing great.

[@dogyerf21]

When you go get the crack from over onto once ice fire tile when tool on? Or popcan tanks underdogs tower?

[@ypaulbrown]

happy Friday Greg.........have a wonderful weekend, cheers from Paul in Florida......

[@Dante10032]

Good job man 💯 quality work right there !

[@jspice-kl2wc]

Outstanding work, thank you.

[@ragnarironspear1791]

Brilliant video as always 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇬🇧

[@adamlambert3892]

Hey honest question why did you replace the crossmember Was it just too worn out And deformed to repair awesome job by the way

[@OFW]

It was cracked and had been repaired many times. It’s a common failure point. The customer wanted to try a new one.

[@jacobfrier8887]

I know this isn't code work but adding some pre & post heat after arc gouging sounds excessive but its beneficial. The toe cracks looked similar to a hydrogen induced crack. Do you guys do any PT 24hrs after the repair?

[@OFW]

No, 24 hours later it’s usually moving dirt.

[@jacobfrier8887]

@@OFW could always up sale to the client pt testing after repair ...make some easy money then

[@GPz84]

This guy is an absolute maestro.....

[@jaymarshall7632]

Thank you for your videos!!

[@andrewcarlson9929]

I’d be curious to know at how many hours these machines start to crack apart like this?

[@quentin7451]

Hello, No dye penetrant to know exactly where the cracks are going and no pre-heating ?

[@OFW]

Actually I did both. You might be able to see the red on some of that parts.

[@quentin7451]

@@OFW ok I did not see, sorry about that. Very good repair !!

[@sweeternutsyum5926]

Why no preheat?..... genuinely curious

[@mattmax8599]

Very curious how you got into this particular business. Always been interested in doing stuff like this.

[@OFW]

I started out with general welding repair. And quickly fell in love with heavy equipment. All the mechanical and machining skills I learned from working in shops when I was younger.

[@Tomtommy1501]

I am truly just interested on how much on average a job like this would cost to a construction company. I would greatly appreciate some transparency on this one. Thanks!

[@OFW]

About a couple thousand.

[@merkyworks]

Nice job on the bolt circle

[@ericchisamore7168]

Nice work, What fillermetal? Thanks

[@OFW]

Lincoln 71a75

[@ecocrime8957]

This pile of... beautiful equipment!

[@marcdavis4509]

I have to ask. At what point is it no longer feasible to keep repairing the vehicle?

[@OFW]

They repair some pretty tore up stuff. I imagine this isn’t even close to that.

[@89firebird]

Wow that's a lot of weld joints on that scraper yeehaw

[@AndrewBoyd-q2n]

I have a question I’m currently in school learning to weld how come u didn’t use stick electrodes is there a reason or does it depend on what the job is ?

[@OFW]

Wire is way faster than stick and produces great quality. Stick has its place but wire usually wins.

[@AndrewBoyd-q2n]

@@OFW okay thank you for clarifying I’m going to be learning mig next semester I think it’s going to be fun

[@bigcountry1009]

Wow man, that scraper has been through it!! How do you determine what wire to use on different parts of the machine? Like when there’s a cast iron part welded to plate or cast steel welded to plate?

[@OFW]

Well cast iron is a different animal in itself. But I try to match it to factory specifications.

[@bigcountry1009]

So are you able to get weld procedures from the equipment manufacturer?

[@OFW]

@@bigcountry1009 sometimes

[@raycorb2938]

Another awesome video. Greg was wondering though couldn’t tell from the video but it looks like you were using 1/4 “ carbons gouging And if you were, I was wondering why with that pretty awesome 800 airpack you won’t be using 3/8 or maybe jumping up to 1/2 “ carbons ? I’ve used 3/8 hundreds of times with my 500 amp machine only a few times have I used the 1/2s And I was also wondering why you chose to use the ole fashion carbons instead of that plasma for gouging Just Curious to why you choose one over the other and Again awesome work good job and keep the videos coming

[@OFW]

I was using 5/16 and 3/8. I almost used the plasma but the problem is, I have too many options. I like to change it up.

[@raycorb2938]

OK gotcha I like to 5/16 myself. I use a lot more of them than the three eights but when I need them I use them. . Have you ever use the 3/8 flat carbons ? After you knock that crossmember off you put them in there and you just hit those snots and goobers on the side wall takes them right down nice and flat. You basically don’t even have to grind , They’re also great for chamfering round bar or pieces of plate j I use them all the time if I have to make a small bevel on a piece of plate or flat bar

[@raycorb2938]

OK gotcha I like to 5/16 myself. I use a lot more of them than the three eights but when I need them I use them. . Have you ever use the 3/8 flat carbons ? After you knock that crossmember off you put them in there and you just hit those snots and goobers on the side wall takes them right down nice and flat. You basically don’t even have to grind , They’re also great for chamfering round bar or pieces of plate j I use them all the time if I have to make a small bevel on a piece of plate or flat bar

[@raycorb2938]

OK gotcha I like to 5/16 myself. I use a lot more of them than the three eights but when I need them I use them. . Have you ever use the 3/8 flat carbons ? After you knock that crossmember off you put them in there and you just hit those snots and goobers on the side wall takes them right down nice and flat. You basically don’t even have to grind , They’re also great for chamfering round bar or pieces of plate j I use them all the time if I have to make a small bevel on a piece of plate or flat bar

[@raycorb2938]

OK gotcha I like to 5/16 myself. I use a lot more of them than the three eights but when I need them I use them. . Have you ever use the 3/8 flat carbons ? After you knock that crossmember off you put them in there and you just hit those snots and goobers on the side wall takes them right down nice and flat. You basically don’t even have to grind , They’re also great for chamfering round bar or pieces of plate j I use them all the time if I have to make a small bevel on a piece of plate or flat bar

[@kevinmartin5489]

Excellent work, awesome video.

[@Jamestreeman]

What’s your thoughts on using duel shield on thin material. Like 14 gauge. Specifically a boom section on a man lift

[@OFW]

I don’t think it’s necessary. But some .045 dual shield could probably run pretty nicely if you had it set right.

[@jjinak396]

Great job!

[@Jacob-40]

Hi Greg, I have a question can I use a 1 hp 3850 rpm motor with a worm gear for the line boring . Will the motor rotate the bar ? If the bar is 50*1600 mm

[@OFW]

I think it all comes down to the feed box. Should have gear reduction. I believe my motors are 1,000 rpm

[@Jacob-40]

@@OFW Thank you for the answer❤️. I agree with you abut the feed box . with worm gear it will turn the extra RPM to torque

[@philoso377]

Nice video and presentation. Yeah, as goof as new.

[@loudnessclarity9273]

Hi, which kind of wire do you use as flux? Nice job man

[@OFW]

Lincoln 71a75

[@1973tjv]

Awesome repairwork. What wire and settings you're running at?

[@OFW]

Lincoln 71a75. 25v and 250%

[@1973tjv]

Thanks, that's dual shield, with gas. Do you use gasless flux core too?

[@OFW]

@@1973tjv no, not really. Haven’t found one I like.

[@joshuawilson7201]

the brace, did you weld that down hill?

[@OFW]

A downward angle. Yes

[@joshuawilson7201]

@@OFW I haven't done any spool gun work. Reason I asked. I assume it similar to MiG?

[@sackvilleweldingservices]

Where to start on a job like that, well done!

[@erocrocks]

What size carbon are you using? And what air pressure, and amps running?

[@OFW]

5/16 and 3/8. 120 psi. 700 amps

[@Tenright77]

An other Epic Repair, Thanks for Sharing...

[@steveanderson4768]

At least these people give you job security seems like they’re tearing up equipment as fast as you can fix it. How often do you get sent out to do repairs on this equipment?

[@OFW]

Almost every day.

[@ssmith6019]

Great quality welding