Sooo...I went to a swap meet run across a TF Wisconsin for parts...made a deal fellow said need to take all his Wisconsin engines and this wound up in my truck. 1950s or something ge welder. Home built. Not much on the Googler about them.tag said rated at 400 Amos. I'll get it In the shop see if worth saving
I have a TF here---has a hand clutch on it. I was told it ran on a short auger loading trucks from bins but owner wanted pto instead so he got a gearbox , pto shaft and mounted that on it and set the motor in the shed where it sat for 20 years. I bought it and a bunch of junk that was in the pile. Never got a chance to try and start it, mag would be dead for sure!
They were used on small welders and also on New-Holland balers! Cant see one pulling them but they clam to have done it! Our NH 66 was pto drive but could have had the TF as an option when new.
What motor does the welder have on it? VE - 4? looks like a good unit!
found this on Smokestak --- there are other antique machine forums that have talked about the GE units!
"The early General electric welders, from around the early 1950's
The 200 amp has a Wisconsin VF-4,V-4 air cooled, 24 H.P. Model WD-3200BG, 200 amps @30 volts DC . Belt driven
The heavy duty 250 amp has a Wisconsin VP-4, V-4 air cooled, 31 H.P. Model WD42 AGW 200 amps @ 40 volts DC. Belt driven . There was a version of this unit with liquid cooled engine Model WD-42 AGH
The WD-42 AGH had a 4 cylinder IXB Hercules engine, 200 amps@ 30 volts. Weird little guy that had the engine offset to the generator and driven by belts.
Next in line as the model WD-43AG, 6 cylinder Chrysler engine driven. 300 amps@40 volts DC.
Model WD-44 AG. 6 cylinder Chrysler engine driven 400 amps @ 40 volts DC. This machine could produce up to 500 amps. The WD 43/WD 44 could be ordered with a Hercules diesel engine.
Model WD-43 ADGM . 2 cycle Detroit diesel engine driven. 300 amps @ 40 volts DC.
Model WD-43 ADC, 4 cylinder Caterpillar engine driven. 300 amps @ 40 volt DC
Model WD-44 ADGM 2 cycle Detroit diesel engine driven 400 amps @ 40 volts DC. This machine could easily push 500 amps.
Model WD-44 ADC, 4 cylinder Caterpillar engine driven. 400 amps @ 40 volts DC. this machine could also easily run 500 amps as well.
Note different models could be powered by different engines as General electric would offer different engines on special order"
It is a ve4....I did get running...runs very well. A little loosening up brushes and running the selector switch back and forth got 70 ocv out of it so it should weld. I need to find some leads. I could use the ones off the sa200 but there like 100 foot long and don't feel like winding them back up. They pop up on market place for peanuts for time to time
Thanks for rest of the info...this a wd 44
I'm thinking if run at full amps... this engine wont have the berries
The information plaque is faded and only way I can see it is when in the dark out with a flash pointing down at it and pick out the shadows
So I did a service to the stupid thing...engine ran well. So I crushed ends of copper tubes a bolted some dins connector to it( don't judge me...lol)...had 70 volts on it got some 7018 and Struck an arc.... the m effer welds nice. Now it probably worth finding leads for it....
I could use it to do carbon arc gouging...should have the berries for that
Glad it works! --- its worth a tune-up! --- never have too many welders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
no judgement here Naaatz..if it works and isnt a major safety concern,let it roll..if you want 500amps you might have to double up on those copper tubes tho
( don't judge me...lol)...
Lol that old Wisconsin may be bit short for 500 amps..I had some 5/32 electrodes try next setting...much to hot today at 96.
I've got ten bucks into this welder because that's what I tipped the guy to load it.....
