I became caretaker of Caterpillar D315 Lincoln 300x2 Twin Arc welding machine today

[wrenchguy]

i live a mile from there, ok to pm u my number?

[wrenchguy]

checking the fit of the new hood to the radiator top tank thats disconnected from the power unit and leaning up against the wall. the hood is made of 14 gauge hrs, 10' long and 1 of 6 new enclosure pieces i had made for the machine.

[Pipeliner]

Really nice. Can't wait to see it all together.

[7A749]

Hell yeah. Top job man!

Ditto on what PL said

[mla2ofus]

I have a feeling the ol' girl is gonna look like she just rolled off the assembly line!!
Mike

[wrenchguy]

thanks 4 the compliments. trying to get it done for, http://www.hcea.net/page-1492158

[Stick-man]

i live a mile from there, ok to pm u my number?

Absolutely.

[wrenchguy]

ooh lala, 1 piece at a time.

after a lot of scraping, cleaning and tons more prep;
last evening under painting.


today, block as it is painted.



parts r parts, new job selector plates are different but will work fine. thanks to a local welder repair acquaintance.


nos t344 brushes, thanks to the same local welder repair acquaintance. i thought i'd post photos of boxes as there has been discussion.




about half of the parts from the power unit have been blasted and painted. pony motor has had a valve job and the front main bearing retaining pin reinstalled. no more 1/4" crankshaft end play. (note pony flywheel dancing big time in video i posted earlier) thanks 4 looking.

[mla2ofus]

Boy, you've come along way with her!! Really looking good!!
Mike

[Groundcover]

Outstanding work ! The best of both worlds, Lincoln & Caterpillar !

[duaneb55]

nos t344 brushes, thanks to the same local welder repair acquaintance. i thought i'd post photos of boxes as there has been discussion.

Awesome progress!



I posted in another thread that I communicated with Lincoln's Robert Crow (well known by some here) awhile back on the subject of using the thicker T-344 300A brushes in the SA200 when parts breakdowns call for the T-2687s. I emailed him a similar photo of a T-344 box with the machine listings on it and this was his response:

"Pipeliners have been putting T344 brushes into SA-200 machines for many years. As you have said, some use all T344 brushes and some use a combination of T344 and T2687.

I have been told that a number of years ago that we had tried some of the combinations used for this application and did not see a noticeable improvement at that time. I do know that the factory specifications cannot be set properly with the T344 brushes.

The difference in the brush position may be the main factor in the performance difference that pipeliners have reported, but I do not know for certain. I have seen about every third commutator bar become slightly discolored when using T344 brushes but I have not heard of any permanent damage to the armature."


So any SA200 owner can take this for what it's worth and decide on their own which path to choose when it comes to main brushes.

[bhound]

Been following along,only thing I can say is WOW!!!!

[wrenchguy]

Are the brush holders the same size to accept either set?

[duaneb55]

Yes they are.

In fact, the parts break-down for my Code# 8638 SA200 sends you to the SAE300 P-25-L document for the brush holders but to SA200 document P-23-M for the T2687 brushes whereas the SAE300 uses the 1/8" thicker T344 variety.

[DLHCC]

Very nice , I cant wait to see it done .

[wrenchguy]

1 piece at a time, getting sheet metal fitted so the painter can get going.

[nickel_city_fab]

WOW that thing is gonna be a BEAST, very impressive!

[bhound]

That is most definently a big girl!Can't wait to see her done!

[Ypop]

Hate to nit pick but that Tongue looks like its ready for the trailer fail section! LOL Nice Job Looking Good!

[DLHCC]

Very impressive , it will be great to see it done . Keep up the good work .

[mla2ofus]

When wrenchguy gets it ready to weld I wanta see two guys welding w/ it turned all the way up and 3/16" or 1/4" rods to see how much black smoke that Cat can belch out.
Mike

[wrenchguy]

still plugging away with some easy assembly required. everything is painted, picking up decals and fenders tomorrow.

[Grandslam99]

What a NICE project, September is just around the corner!! Let's see some Video's!!.

[mla2ofus]

Everything is coming along and looking new!! BTW what model is the old Cat in the background? Must be quite old w/ the side mounted fuel tank.
Mike

[q240z]

Dang! Excellent work!