ESAB Launches Battery-Powered Tracfinder Welding Tractors for Automated Arc Welding!
ESAB has expanded its automation portfolio with the introduction of the Tracfinder Rail and Tracfinder Wheel systems, bringing new levels of mobility, flexibility, and precision to mechanized arc welding applications. Both solutions are battery-powered, eliminating the need for trailing power cables and making them especially suitable for site-based, fabrication, and hard-to-access welding environments.
The Tracfinder Rail welding tractor is engineered for high-precision welding in all positions, supported by rigid, high-stability rails and a rack-and-pinion transmission system that prevents slippage during operation. This design enables consistent travel speeds of up to 71 inches per minute, even in demanding orientations such as vertical or overhead welding. A key feature of the Rail version is its joint-teaching software, which allows operators to program complex weld paths by defining up to 50 individual points. This capability simplifies setup for repeatable welds on intricate joints and helps ensure consistent weld quality across multiple passes or components.
Complementing the rail-based system, the Tracfinder Wheel is designed as a fully autonomous welding tractor that operates without rails. It uses a powerful magnetic base providing 62 pounds of magnetic force, allowing it to adhere securely to ferrous surfaces in any welding position. The tractor can operate at speeds of up to 79 inches per minute and is capable of welding vertically upward or downward, overhead, and on both inside and outside diameters. This makes it well suited for applications such as tanks, pipes, pressure vessels, and structural components where rail installation may be impractical.
The Tracfinder Wheel incorporates advanced tracking software that continuously adjusts the tractor’s trajectory based on the real-time position of the welding torch. This adaptive control helps maintain accurate weld placement even when surface conditions or joint geometry vary. Independent left- and right-wheel control combined with four-wheel drive further enhances traction and stability, ensuring smooth, controlled motion across curved, inclined, or uneven welding surfaces.
By introducing these battery-powered welding tractors, ESAB is addressing growing demand for portable, automated welding solutions that improve productivity while reducing operator fatigue. The Tracfinder Rail and Tracfinder Wheel systems are designed to deliver consistent travel speed, repeatable weld quality, and reliable operation in positions that are traditionally challenging for manual welding. Together, they provide fabricators and contractors with flexible automation options that can be deployed quickly, support a wide range of welding positions, and help standardize weld quality across diverse applications.
