Merlo boom

[Mixedupfarmer]

Merlo 28.7 boom has broken at the welding where it joins the housing for the crowd ram etc, just held on by the bottom of the box beam!. Has anyone had this happen before? Is it possible to repair or have you (assuming it has happened to someone else) had to have a new inner boom or second hand? Thanks.

 

[KB6930]

Not ours but I was taking straw to a local farm last year and they're merlo was welded up round the front of the boom and didn't look it had been done the day before either so must be ok welded up

 

[Cowcalf]

get someone who knows what they are doing and can weld

 

[Hairy Bob]

Pretty much anything can be repaired with the right skillset!
Can you post pictures? That would give us a lot better idea of how big a job it's likely to be.
Any decent welding/fabrication firm should be able to beef it up and make it more durable. The fact that you're asking suggests you wouldn't be doing it yourself?

 

[Deutzdx3]

They are welded once in factory, they can be welded again. Maybe a plate could be put round to reinforce it if need be. Take it to a local independent AG repair shop. Main dealer won’t touch it as they will want to replace the whole thing.

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

Thanks for the replies, would be getting a local ag welder to look at it I think, was a bit concerned whether anyone had done it before successfully. Probably be stronger than the original if done properly. I think replacing the whole boom is out of the question unless I can find a descent second hand one.

 

[deleted user 837354]

Id inform the manufacturer as its a potentially safety critical failure and then get a company experienced in this to repair it and put their name to it.

 

[traineefarmer]

I had this happen on a Sanderson.

Grind out the crack, weld it up if you are competent or get in someone with who can. Paint over the weld so that future cracks can be spotted quickly.

If a factory weld has cracked then it points to a design flaw. I wouldn't add any strengthening fillets when repairing as it could just crack again elsewhere. At least you know where to check in future.

 

[startinghandle]

how old is machine?
has it been used as bulldozer?
I can remember 20 years ago someone having welding done on a Merlo

 

[Hairy Bob]

If a factory weld has cracked then it points to a design flaw. I wouldn't add any strengthening fillets when repairing as it could just crack again elsewhere. At least you know where to check in future.

That depends on exactly how it has failed. If any part of the weld has pulled cleanly away from the parent metal, that points to poor welding which could be sorted by grinding out the weld and rewelding it properly.
If it's cracked through the middle of the weld, or the parent metal has failed near the weld, that could well be a design flaw that would be best off being improved.
I know what you mean about moving the weak point, but the next weakest link in the chain will likely be stronger than the part which has already failed, and less likely to let go with normal use.
It's one thing having a known weak link on something that's not safety critical, but when you repair a lifting device, you want it to be stronger than it was before, because it failed before!

 

[Hairy Bob]

Also, it's not a bad idea to have a good look round the rest of the machine for cracked welds, slop in bushes etc, while it's being repaired. If you're not confident, you could ask whoever you get to do the welding to give it a look over.

 

[startinghandle]

i just remembered we used to have a Matbro that had been reinforced where the boom fits at the base and a well known matbro specialist told me that most had this done

 

[Mixedupfarmer]

how old is machine?
has it been used as bulldozer?
I can remember 20 years ago someone having welding done on a Merlo

Its a 51 plate, so done a fair bit of work, but is well maintained as is used daily. Failed loading muck out of yards. Recently serviced by main dealer

 

[KB6930]

Its a 51 plate, so done a fair bit of work, but is well maintained as is used daily. Failed loading muck out of yards. Recently serviced by main dealer

The merlo I seen is only 3-4 yrs old at most

 

[Sparkplug]

Be careful if your insurer demands a LOLER Test each year - doubt it would pass unless welded by a Coded Welder and overload tested by an authorised testing house - the welder would be responsible for any future failure especially if liability was challenged - best fit good used off fire damaged or new.

 

[ghost900]

 

[beltbreaker]

Id inform the manufacturer as its a potentially safety critical failure and then get a company experienced in this to repair it and put their name to it.

Not worth it, our 14 plate 40.7 cracked at the pivot at the back. Spoke to dealer who spoke to Merlo UK who said it had never happened before. Wandered into dealer a week later and there is neighbours 63 plate 40.7 with the same problem. Anyone else??

Was actually the Vulcan man who found it. I miscalled him saying it was a crack in the paint, he had never found a crack before so was quite excited. It was gouged out and a certified welder welded it up.

Cheers BB