HISTORY OF JEEP WELDERS

The General Electric 200 and 300 ampere Welders were especially designed for installation in the Universal Jeep. They are bolted to a heavy, adjustable base which in turn is rigidly attached to the frame by means of reinforcing cross members and brackets. This in effect, makes it a component part of the Jeep.

Originally this unique combination was developed for the U.S. Army for use in the forward areas during the War. They needed a unit that could travel over rough terrain, work at any angle, in any climatic condition, and operate continuously for long periods far from service and maintenance facilities. The Jeep welder met all of these requirements.

After the war, industry quickly found that the Jeep Welder could serve a variety of their purposes. The mobility of the Jeep, the flexibility of the generator, and the fact that the unit is a self -propelled, self -powered mechanism made it a desirable addition to a service fleet. In fact, the Jeep Welder is often used for steady operation where welding services are not readily available.

Manufacturers and contractors, public utility companies, railroads, water, gas and pipeline installers, and many others all have jobs which the Jeep welder can do faster and more economically than any other combination of equipment.

GENERAL ELECTRIC 200 AMPERE JEEP WELDER SPECIFICATIONS

GENERAL: The General Electric Type WD-3200B direct-current arc welder generator is a single-operator type machine with a NEMA rating of 200 amperes at 30 volts .D.C., 50% duty cycle, 50° C. temperature rise. The generator design is based on many years of experience and proven high-quality, fast-welding performance. High generating speed permits compact, lightweight design and smooth, vibrationless operation. Careful selection of materials and rigid mechanical inspection promotes maximum life service.

ELECTRODE SIZE: From 1/16" to 3/16". 1/4" for occasional jobs.

CURRENT RANGE: Minutely adjustable from 30 to 250 amperes D.C.

WELDING CURRENT SELECTION: Three current range terminals, each calibrated for correct electrode size (1/16 - 3/32; 1/8 - 5/32 and 3/16 - 1/4) are provided. A fourth terminal marked "Work" indicates attachment of ground lead for straight polarity welding.

WELDING CURRENT ADJUSTMENT: Movement of rheostat indicator dial allows smooth, continuously variable current adjustment. Three scales, calibrated in amperes and marked with electrode sizes corresponding to current range terminals, permit exact setting.

ROTATION: Counter-clockwise, viewing commutator end of machine.

SPEEDS: Generatar 3500 R.P.M. at full load, Engine 1983 R.P.M.

SPEED CONTROL: The Jeep engine is equipped with a special centrifugal governor, pre-set when generator installation is made, which assures uniform engine speed despite fluctuating current loads, It is easily disengaged when speed control is not needed.

OVERSPEED CONTROL: A simple, pre-set, centrifugal type governor is built into the commutator end of the generator. Connected in series with the Jeep ignition system and adjusted to cut out at approximately 4000 R.P.M., it protects the generator against excess speed arising out of engine throttle or governor failure. The restart button is conveniently located in the rear end of the generator.

BEARINGS: High precision, extra width, cartridge type, annular ball bearings sealed and shielded for protection and long life.

COOLING: The forced air ventilating system keeps the generator at a low, uniform operating. temperature even during heavy-duty service. Internal temperatures are maintained well within safe limits at rated capacity loads while welding manually and heavy over-loading, for short intervals, produces no harmful results.

PROTECTION: Welder is water resistant and completely drip-proof.

GENERATOR DRIVE: Power from the Jeep engine, through the center power take-off, is transmitted to the generator by a set of four matched "V" belts running on specially designed sheaves having a ratio of 1 to 1.764. The drive is completely encased for protection of operator and mechanism. Belt adjustment is positive.

GEAR COMBINATION: Transfer case in neutral and transmission in third gear provide maximum efficiency of operation.

GENERAL ELECTRIC 300-AMPERE JEEP WELDER SPECIFICATIONS

The 300-Ampere Model No. WO-43 Jeep Welder is used for larger, tougher jobs that require a generator that can deliver more power. While many of the specifications and uses are similar for both welders, the differences are highlighted here to point out the different market for each machine. In all other cases than those listed below, the specifications for the 200-ampere welder apply.

1. The 300-Ampere Welder supplies more current, more steadily.

300 Ampere - 40 volts D.C. 60% duty cycle.

200 Ampere - 30 volts D.C. 50% duty cycle.

2. The 300-Ampere generator is self-excited, eliminating the speed for a separate exciter with its accompanying weight and extra maintenance.

3. Heavier work can be handled by the 300 Ampere by (a) electrode sizes going up to 5/16" instead of 1/4 ", (b) current range on 300 ampere welder is 45-440 amperes D.C. instead of 30-250, amperes D.C. on the 200 Ampere Unit.

4. Correct current is adjusted to electrode size by dial (5 sizes) in the 300-Ampere Welder whereas in the 200, wires have to be manually attached to terminals (only 3 electrode sizes).

5. The 300-Ampere Welder has a reverse polarity switch.

6. To maintain the constant generator speed of 3500 R.P.M., the Jeep engine on the 300-Ampere Welder works at 2200 R.P.M. as compared to 1938 R.P.M. on the 200-Ampere Welder.  Also, the generator on the 300-Ampere Welder is driven by a matched set of six "V" belts as compared to four for the 200-Ampere Welder.

Strict attention must be paid to the type of jobs the Jeep Welder may be expected to handle in order that an intelligent choice may be made between these two excellent portable welders. The preceding technical data should prove very useful when approaching this problem with men in the welding field.

The Jeep Welder is not a high-volume item, therefore, time, effort and energy expended on the sale of these units may first be considered to outweigh the profit possibilities in the sale of these units. However, many of our distributors have found that in selling the Jeep Welder they have uncovered numerous other sales possibilities for the Jeep, Truck, Sedan Delivery and Station Wagon. When the requirements for a four-wheel drive unit are such that a larger passenger or cargo carrying capacity is of prime importance, the G.E. 200 and 300-Ampere Welders can easily be installed in any of the Willys four-wheel-drive utility vehicles.

WILLYS UTILITY VEHICLE VERSATILITY IS BEST RECOGNIZED IN THOSE AREAS WHERE THE DISTRIBUTORS AND DEALERS HAVE STUDIED THE PROBLEMS OF THEIR LOCAL INDUSTRIES. FORWARD LOOKING DISTRIBUTORS HAVE FOUND THAT IN MANY CASES SPECIAL EQUIPMENT SELLS THE VEHICLE THAT CARRIES IT. DEVELOPING A PROGRAM FOR THE SALE OF SPECIAL EQUIPMENT HAS INVARIABLY PROVEN TO BE ONE OF THE PRIMARY FACTORS IN THE SUCCESS OF OUR DISTRIBUTORS.