This specification applies to all structural welds used in the manufacture and repair of earthmoving,construction, agricultural, and ground-based material handling equipment.’ It rflects the weldling practices employed by manufacturers within the industry and inoorporates various mthods which have been proven sucessful by individual manufacturers. No restrictions are placed on the use of any welding process or procedure, provided the weld produced meets the qualification requirements of this specification. No attempt is made to limit or restrict the progression of welding technology for earthmoving. construction, agricultural and/or ground-based material handling equipment manufacturing and repair, nor should any such limitation be inferred. Design criteria for allowable stresses for the base and weld metal and the fatigue analysis for welded joints are not published in the specification. The user shall utilize AWS D14.4/D14.4M, Specitication for the Design of Welded Joints in Machinery and Equipment, or appropriate engineering practices and principles for design criteria.
