How to Weld Up Plow Points

Plow points can break or crack on large, field stones.

Welding broken plow points can be done using a metal inert gas (MIG) welder, but you'll achieve a stronger weld with stick welding the plow. Plow points can crack under many different circumstances, but they are most likely to be damaged when breaking new soil and striking rocks. Depending on the size of your tractor, you may not always be aware of where the point broke off. To find the plow point, look around the areas where you find large rocks in your field.

Things You'll Need

• Wire brush
• Welding clamps
• Stick welder
• Welding helmet
• Die grinder

Instructions

1. Clean the plow and the point at the places where it will be welded using the wire brush. If there is any corrosion on either part, removing the rust will help to ensure that the weld will have enough penetration to permanently hold the point in place.

2. Clamp the plow point to the plow with the welding clamps, then turn on the stick welder.

3. Lower your welding helmet and strike the welding rod against the cleaned steel plow point at the place where it is to be welded. This will cause the arc to form and the welding process will begin.

4. Move the electrical arc along the seam being welded to deposit the weld filler and fuse the metal together. Because you are using a stick welder, the weld deposition will be much greater than with a MIG welder. In addition, the stick welder will give deeper penetration to the weld, ensuring a much stronger repair. Continue depositing the weld along the seam and move the stick away from the repair area to break the electrical arc when you are finished.

5. Grind the surface of the weld with a die grinder, if necessary, to smooth the point of the plow where the weld was applied.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear a welding helmet when using a stick welder. The intensity of the electrical arc created by this process is bright enough to permanently damage your vision without protection.

References

• "Welding Complete: Techniques, Project Plans & Instructions"; Editors of CPi; 2009
• "Welder's Handbook, Revised: A Guide to Plasma Cutting, Oxyacetylene, ARC, MIG and TIG Welding"; Richard Finch; 2007
• "Welding Fundamentals"; Roger Jellison; 1995