Another CAT 320 Excavator Boom but with a Twist.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Well, we got another Excavator boom repair, although this time is a little different. These booms tend to have problems in these areas and most times it's a pretty standard cut and paste type of job. Not necessarily too tough. However, on this one, the rear main pin tube across the back broke as well. That added an additional challenge. Follow along as we work up to that point in this video. Kick back and watch the struggles of a small shop with a big broken banana. It was a bit of a wrestle but we managed to get it in there!!
Thanks for the support in advance.
Remember the movie "Crocodile Dundee"? "That's not a knife. This is a knife!" I thought of that as you pulled out your new plasma torch. That's not a plasma torch. This is a plasma torch! Wow, nice torch. Looks like a keeper!
This Aussie appreciates the mention of Paul Hogan and Crocodile Dundee.
That two handed attachment for the plasma cutter is slick.
In the 80’s I was working at a large steel fabrication company, we had just bought the land beside the company and there were two large warehouses on the new land. I was on a team of guys that had to clean out one of the warehouses. It was a concrete floor and steel beam and walls everywhere. We had to remove a lot of big welded steel shelving that was meant to hold pallets. I mean a lot. Everything was old and was fabricated on site, all welded together to the steel frame of the building. We were using cutting torches and it was slow going. One day the foreman shows up with an air plasma cutter. If I recall correctly it used bottled compressed air, not an air compressor. That tool sped the job up immensely.
All of us young guys were convinced the air plasma cutter would replace the old cutting torch, the older guys said “No Way”.
One of the older guys pointed out that the torch for the air plasma cutter was a one handed deal, and if they really wanted to steal the cutting torch’s lunch, they would need a two handed torch, just like a cutting torch, if they did that, then every old school cutting torch guy would have all that muscle memory training to adapt to the air plasma cutter. Looks like that’s what they finally did.
Sorry for the long winded story.
Cheers from Tokyo.
It was all a part of the story. Actually, on the subject of Japan, I know an Australian Stonemason who is still stuck in Japan thanks to the Covid lockdown in your country. He went to Japan with his Japanese wife and their two boys to see her family and show the boys Japan and then along came Covid and they have been stuck there ever since.
BTW where are you from originally because your English is a little too relaxed for a Japanese person?
@@markfryer9880 I’m Canadian, I’ve been in Tokyo for 32+ years.
That is a nice plasma cutter it blew thru that so nice. As a retired mechanic, I enjoy nice tools ,and that’s a nice tool.
That cutter did one friggin’ sweet job cutting that steel!
You got that right!
I like the way u skidded that in with that little forklift.
You cut pieces of iron like I cut paper with my pair of scissors !! Nice torche ! Congratulations... I look foward the second part of this repair.
The reason I watch your videos is because you take the time to explain why you chose to do certain things during your repairs. It helps those of us who haven’t been raised as acolytes of steel. I learn more from watching you than I could ever learn from a book. Thank you for what you do.
LUV the new toy
Such a crisp clean cut and I din't see any _Blow back_ and it gouges too!!
No wonder you were excited unboxing it. I would be too.
Being a young fabricator myself anytime you tackle a project like this I always evaluate how I would go about cutting something completely up and then having to identically rebuild it and I’m typically at a loss until you get a few steps in. I like the the sharpie layout of the bolt holes before you start cutting it up. I’ve learned a lot from watching how you work.
Learn well. Isaac is a master, most younger will not have the benefit of his expertise
Impressed with how smooth of a cut that plasma cutter left. Looking forward to see how you fix the pin in part 2 Isaac.
Exactly. He drives that torch-head like a surgeon drives a scalpel !! Quite impressive!!.
That cutter seems a worthy investment, it’s fast
Would have looked awesome cutting the relief at night even though it would be a big pain with the flames from the grease , It amazes me how people can do so much damage to machinery and still want it fixed in a day , sometimes I wonder what they think with certainly not a brain , the amount of damage done that they could see would tell them that it was going to be a big job, what you have achieved is beyond brilliant well done from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺
This is an incredible skill only learned over time by doing. Thanks for sharing
I was one of the first on the east coast to get the 85 SYNC on my shop saber CNC plasma cutter, I really like this unit, I'm glad you found it interesting too
Don't know much about welding, but I but I love you watching you weld.
We had to repair a broken boom recently also!!! Didn’t realize your last one was a CAT 320. Ours was too! Broke in a different spot tho but on a factory weld. Been waiting for this video since you mentioned it in a previous video. Thanks for sharing!
I'm starting to see a pattern emerging here. Another guy commented on repairing CAT booms and logging booms. Mmmmm.
I like the fire breathing banana.. great job as usual. That long plasma torch is great
I worked as a weld inspector and also as a welder at one of the North American Cat factories... Some of those welds will have the welder's stamp adjacent to them, older ones could be a picture symbol, newer ones will be initials and number, although the paint might likely cover up the stamp. Reasons for failure: cold welds, and sometimes inclusions, such as included weld gun tips... Some factories used robots to make those welds, but when the robots would f up, then a human would have to cut it out and weld it by hand... Also, as you can see, the first 12 or 18 inches or so of the body weld would be done by hand, with the robot doing the rest of the body weld. Also, quality of welds on internal baffles would often be much worse than externally visible welds, sometimes with welds completely missing, completely cold, etc... When you weld it all back together, keep in mind the assembly needs to flex in service by just the right amount... if your repair is too stiff, then it will carry too much load and fail again.
Happy to see you wearing a respirator. It’s also a good Idea to use a fan to blow outside-when you can.
Love the Hypertherm long torch. Looks like it's a winner!
I just bought a hand torch to replace my machine torch this year. If that long one had been available for my machine I would have brought one. It seems such a great idea!
The new Plasma Torch is great, but it's even better to see what you can get out of it with a unbelievably skilled craftsman behind it .... I've worked with a lot of skilled fitters and I don't think I've ever seen anyone as good and natural with a torch!!
Ahhh you fixing another broken Bannnnnnannnnaaa hahahaha Nice. The old man here always enjoy how good your welds are.
I like a good on the edge of your seat Cliffhanger!
Always interesting repair that you find. Thank for the over the shoulder look.
That flaming was cool! Have to get me one just for that! Thanks for the video, love the professionalism you show.
I’m digging the torch, like your videos.
Your understanding of stress points is unbelievable and your skills are off the charts. Thanks for sharing.
I agree. As someone who went through mechanical engineering school, I give a big thumbs up. Thought is put into improving where the original design was flawed.
Well, that plasma torch is a keeper for sure! You will be able to save some gas with that one! That boom was really a mess! I wonder why the bar won't go in that tube, however. I can't imagine that line-boring alone will correct whatever the error is. Looking forward to part II. Thanks as always!
Love watching how you are able to fix some really messed up equipment. Thanks for sharing.
Well that is some toy you got there hot knife through butter comes to mind .. I'm sure that's going to become the new shop go to for cutting or gouging instead of the gas torch .making a change from bearing failure and just cracking the dipper arms .. odd fail on the twisting tho must have hit sommat hard or turned before lifting to tear that apart . As you said it could be a line boring job after all .. looking forwards to seeing part 2 . Thanks
Ahhh the classic “peeling banana” trick brought to you by Cat. Even if it’s operator error, Cat should eventually try and engineer this failure out of its bananas. It happens way too often. Good thing IC Weld has the skills needed when called upon.
this happens a lot?
@@michael-dm2bv Watch IC welds videos on repairing banana's. Every one I can recall that he's repairs has failed in a similar manner.
Operators and environment affect a lot of failures and wear items. If Cat were to strengthen the booms, what would fail next? Also there's extra cost associated with extra strength and that's extra cost that not every operation would be interested in. The select few IC has worked on may be some of the only few that fail.
I do heavy equipment repair/welding also in NC. Had to do a similar repair on a CAT 320 excavator boom a couple weeks ago. We have done a bunch of log loader booms too. All CAT.
Not trying to say it’s Cat’s fault or that Cats the only ones that break. Just sharing what I’ve seen recently. Some operators can tear up an anvil with a feather. Doesn’t matter one way or another to me because either way it keeps us busy. Thought it was cool I was working on the same thing as ICWeld.
Let me get this straight. Operators can abuse equipment and the manufacture is responsible? Yeah that doesn't open ANY opportunities for abuse.
That was cool. Loved the twin flame thrower when you went to make that relief cut in the pin holder.
you should have 1M+ subs. Easily one of the best, most genuine channels on YT. You and Andrew camarata are my favs.
And now the fun begins. Rarely so simple, at least for me. The new plasma torch is nice. Thanks very much for sharing Isaac, always a pleasure to watch and learn from you.
The plasma cuts way faster with less dross than the oxy-acetylene. Nice work!
First off: A very nice weld cap you sent to our Matie down in Kangaroo Land. That banana is gonna be tricky!!
Take a screenshot when you hit the plasma on the tube and it lights off. Badass picture. Would be a great background or profile pic.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. There are NO schools that teach this!!! You are a guardian angel to me. Aho!
@21.46 ...so its a bit greasy then ..its like dragons breath (over burn from a gas forge is called dragons breath) ....hmmm Pin goes through one way but not the other ...thats really weird I am guessing there is a step in the housing at the cracked joint.
looking forward to part two to see what it actually is now.
Thanks for sharing Isaac
Awesome job 👍 Always good to see a new tool hot knife through butter can’t wait for part two😎
I’m quite impressed with how straight you “free-handed” that cut with the new torch. What an awesome addition to the shop, by the way. I might have to look into getting one of those. One question, When you were cutting the relief in the DOM, and there was flame bellowing outta there, was AC/DC playing in your head? I was thinking, man that’s gotta make you feel like a “Bad A”. That was epic! Great work! Can’t wait to see part II.🔥🤘🏻🇺🇸
That is a really nice new plasma cutter. Can't wait to see how you get the boom straight and the pin to fit easily.
very nice work !!! and very good plasma cutter left
Thank you Isaac. These guys are really trying but they will never break a machine that you can not repair.😂😂😂 Great work done man.
IDK, is that a challenge? I've broken some machines pretty badly over the years. Got the welder at work making a new conveyor to replace the one I've wore out so badly that it's making noises that even making him wince, already knowing the replacement is on the way, so he won't fix it. Run it till it blows, then I'll be piling up material till the new conveyor is installed.
@@ravenbarsrepairs5594 I really enjoy seeing massive repairs.
Holy Maceral, that is one fine torch, very cool! Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to part II
Nice plasma cutter!
Cuts cleanly and thick.
That's a nice torch for the plasma. It makes me wonder about how much force it takes to break that banana. Can't wait for part two. Great video Issac!
The Master has a new paintbrush. The Tonya 4000 does beautiful work as long as the master has it in hand.
Issac could you use a really straight piece of angle iron or a straight edge and flashlight to figure out where the cast ends are twisted from side to side (out of parallel)?
Might need to cut that one side welds more loose that cracked to line up to the other side with the pin as an alignment tool.
You are our eyes and brains...
Thanks for sharing this difficult repair.
I like lumberjack work. Good on yah.
That long Plasma Torch is NICE !!👍👍It cuts so smooth and fast 😲 !! That bushing is probably still a little crooked . I have faith that you will pull this together !! Can't wait for part 2 !! 👍👍
You're a damn good Milwright!!!
That plasma torch looks awesome
I try to use a drag tip and straightedge with the plasma cutter as much as possible. The new torch is pretty slick though.
Man, nice tool addition, good job
That's slick. How's that expression go, "Keep'em wanting more." Here I thought we were in for a nice relaxing display of quality craftsmanship and the whole enchilada. Oh well there I go thinking again. Thanks for sharing, now the sooner the better.
🇺🇸🏁🇺🇸👍
That is one heck of a hot knife!! I Like it!!
That new cutter is a real beast!
I'll hang on for part2, bet it will be interesting as much as all of your vids!
Thx a lot!
👍👍👍
You have the coolest set of skills, I've gotten great ideas watching your stuff.
Thanks for the video Issac nice new tool 🔥 burn that metal well done 👍❤️❤️ it. Take care of yourself and family.
Thank you Isaac. My father was a millwright in a cold drawn tube Mill. I think he would have really enjoyed what you do. I know I do. I worked rebuilding wrecked and twisted train cars. Understanding the tension and compression is key. And you do it well.
That would have been a 'fun' job!
It's amazing what a tool can do with a Master Welder! That's incredible work and don't you belittle that! All the best from Canada
Thanks to YT's inability to keep me informed when my choice of preferred channels put new videos up, I nearly missed this one. Thankfully, ROKU had it for me.
This repair is really interesting, Thanks Isaac.
Like the new plasma cutter..another great job by the Master..thanks for sharing...
Plasma is great and that torch is SWEET! Oxy/fuel is for heating. Got to check on that torch for sure. Checked out the price tag of that new toy. They are proud of it.
Wow! That Plasma arc gouging torch is AWESOME!
Impressive wall thickness for that boom...
I've enjoyed watching your videos for a couple of years now, I am fasinated with how much problem solving you have to do. Another great video sir!
Someone has a new favorite tool. Won't be long before you stop carrying that striker everyday. Lol
Awesome Isaac ! Bring on part 2 !
nice tool for the shop. thanks for the lesson.
Awesome plasma cutter. The cut is so neat and tidy. That flames came out of that yellow banan like a dragon's nostrils, ready to devour
broken bananas, ow appealing is that.....cheers Issac....Paul over in Florida
Wow.. That's a Super Cool Plasma Torch..
That torch is a nice one.
I really enjoy your work, it is inspirational! As a home gamer fixing up an 80's Backhoe - Trencher 4x4 death trap I really don't need a plasma cutter, but damn I want one now more than ever!
Just insane how fast it burns through an inch of steel.
That was a neat blowtorch bazooka you had going there!
Love the new toy, man looks like line boring may be the fix for the slight misalignment, great explanation and follow through, waiting for part 2
Thank you for sharing a bit of your experience, knowledge and tricks. Greetings from Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, Mexico.
Great job Mr. IC Weld. Nice new tool as well! That thing cuts like butter!
Just a thought. That fork truck sounds like it could use a little love. It seems that the new plasma torch is a winner. I would replace that sleeve, rather than repair it. It appears to be goner to me.
I sped up the video and it made it sound weird. but yes, that poor forklift needs attention.
That's a killer plasma torch. Really nice.
The way it was fighting you when you were cutting that tube was honestly pretty funny. Never did big equipment like this, but I've had similar grease filled jobs and that brought me back.
Also the rolling shutter effect at a bit past 26 minutes with your fan in the background really struck me funny. 😄
As always, thanks for sharing your work.
Yeah, I caught the fan in the background. It must be wanting some attention seeing as it always taken for granted.
That's a pretty fancy new toy got there
It's weird how these 'bananas' peel when they get ripe, no? :)) Nice repair, awesome video as usual.
I see the 4 legged superintendent rolled thru checking out the job.
I love your process
Wow that new toy is a beast, it seems to be more precise and faster than using a regular torch or gouging as you aren't having to stop and replace rods. A lot less sparks when cutting too, I assume this is because it cuts a smaller more precise hole and there's less material blown out when cutting.
Good thing you checked that pin fit before getting the plates welded back on.
Oh a banana again this should be interesting to compare to the previous banana.
I want to do what you do. I really enjoy your videos. A lot of knowledge there in them. Thank you for sharing.
Your videos never fail to impress me Isaac. Great job. Love the content 🤟
As always great work. Really like that new Plasma cutter.
You are an artiste!
You sure do get into some heavy work .
Now that's what I call one hell of a plasma cutter. Its god awful quick.
muy buen trabajo... Saludos desde Corrientes Argentina
As soon as I saw the damage to the boom I knew this was going to be an epic battle.
I like the long plasma torch but it needs to be smooth barrel all the way long so you can slide it across your hand being used as a steady rest for long cuts. The cuts are brilliant though and the power is clear to see.
A tricky break to repair and one that will take some thought. Especially the tube the pin goes through. Looked really great when cutting the tube and fire blew out of either end, quite a dramatic scene. Looking forward to Part 2 young man!
Awesome repair so far can't wait for part 2!
That's an interesting little job but the thing that got me was that new plasma torch that is really nice. Makes your life a lot easier and like you say, it's going to save you money on gas. 👍👍🙂🇨🇦
The big deal is convinience, no running out of gas. Air and electricity are infinit.
There is nothing like getting a brand new tool, that exceeds expectations!