HORSING AROUND
A Very Special Person!
By: Steve Sampson, Editor

If you asked me whom the most positive person is to be around in the 4WD world, I can think of no other person before I think of Harry Robinson. If you ever broke down at a major 4WD event and needed welding to get back on the trail, you likely met Harry. If you ever bought a Link-Arc or Premier Mobile Welder, you must know Harry like a brother. But that is only part of the story.

The Early Bronco Registry presents Harry and Pat Robinson a special award for their support of the Early Bronco community and to Harry as the Grand Gentleman of the 4WD world.

For years, Harry and his wife Pat ran the Link-Arc mobile welder business from their home in Yucca Valley. Any of us in the Early Bronco world soon know Harry because his mobile welding demo vehicle was a meticulously cared for white over brown Early Bronco with a matching white over brown trailer made from the rear of another Early Bronco - you could call it a 1 1/2 Bronco. For years Harry, and often wife Pat, have attended virtually every southwest off-road event. Harry would park his Bronco near the action, ope the hood and start the engine, and fire up his mobile welder. For hours and days in a row, he demonstrated, he let you play welder, answered any and all technical questions, and would weld up virtually any broken vehicle brought within stinger range of his Bronco. Harry also has an unbroken policy of never accepting any money for any of his welding repairs, and his help has been worth lots of cold cash. Many folks, including myself, have pleaded with Harry to accept some reward for our genuine gratitude, but Harry doesn't deviate from his principles.

Harry has offered unending support to off-roaders in other ways too. If you think of that old western slogan "never let a discouraging word be heard". you know Harry. A few personal example come to mind. Over ten years ago, to support a technical story and advertising, Harry helped a small struggling businessman put a dual battery system in my Bronco. The man Harry helped, Trent Riddle, went on to become the editor of Four Wheel Drive and Sport Utility for several years (and yes, the dual battery system still works flawlessly after at least 100,000 hard miles). Some years later we wanted to make the Early Bronco Registry's celebration of the 30th Anniversary a world record setting event. We asked Harry if he could assist in gathering raffle prizes. We didn't realize how much the Early Bronco and off-road business community respected Harry until we saw donations roll in by the car-load We set a world record for the value of raffle prizes for any Early Bronco event, all because businesses trusted Harry. (I need to add that this was a special one-time favor by Harry to get Early Broncos on the map. We are there now, so please don't be calling him to do it again!)

Today, Harry is the technical voice for Premier Mobile Welders and oversees much of the custom and repair work. Last year, the officers of the Early Bronco Registry thought something special should be done to recognize Harry and Pat for their years of never-ending support for the off-road community. We organized a surprise luncheon near their home and about 20 of us toasted, said good words and made several toasts? I can't remember. Characteristically, Harry and Pat found it embarrassing to have a fuss made over them. Far as we are concerned, it was long overdue. We hope that this story and our sincere appreciation may cause them a little more embarrassment, and give them some more pleasure! No couple has earned it more!

JP MAGAZINE
Bolt On Power
By: John Cappa February '04

Premier Power Welder now offers a complete bolt-on welding system that turns your '89 - '04 Jeep Wrangler into a portable workshop. You can run 115-volt DC power tools, weld and quickly charge dead batteries. The kit includes a new 175-195 amp alternators, control box and mounting bracket that locates and supports the box under the hood of your Wrangler.

FOUR WHEELER
Being Prepared with an Onboard Welder
By: Willie Worthy October '95

"The premier makes a very nice, deep- penetrating weld using a variety of welding rods. I've used it on mild steel, cast iron, and for welding steel to cast with very good results. For those of you who are accomplished stick welders, the first thing you'll notice is that it starts easily, doesn't stick, produces a strange high-frequency buzz, and that you weld with the rod much deeper into the puddle. Not only can you stick weld but you can use the unit as a power supply for TIG or MIG welder."

FOUR WHEELER
Handling the Heat - An onboard welding system from Premier can save your hide in the outback.
By: Ben Stewart May 1997

"Murphy's Law suggests that you will break that one part you didn't carry or loaned to your buddy. So, what to do, stranded on the trail without spares? An on board welder can add a new dimension to trail repair, turning an ordinary hunk of steel into a legitimate fix that'll get you home."

JP MAGAZINE
Power on the Trail
By: Rick Pewe May 1999

"The Premier Power Welder is essentially a special replacement alternator and a control box that converts 12-volt DC current to a high-frequency DC current, which can be varied 35 to 75 volts, depending on need. At the same time, it's a high-output 160 to 200 amp alternator, which is great for heavy electrical loads, such as too many lights or when you're using the winch. And if you need 115-volt DC for certain tools and appliances, yes, it can run those as well."

4-WHEEL & OFF-ROAD
Welding in the Wild
By: Ed Fortson May 1999

."..Yet, these days, the big bang is often followed by a unique sizzling sound. The trial by fire is quickly dismissed -- right there in the middle of nowhere -- by the spark-showering gavel of the Premier Power underhood-mounted high-frequency welder. And all the dogs romp away to play again."

OFF-ROAD
Premier Power Welder's On-Board Welding System
By: Duane Elliott Nov. 1994

"God knows with all the horsepower and torque that the Willys generates, something is bound to crack sooner or later. All we know now, though, is that we're not as worried as we used to be about repairing it, nor will we go hungry on the trail fixing it!"

TRUCKIN'
Hello Mr. Chips: Mega Power Alternators
By: Jim Allen April 1996

"You can use the Premier Welder out in the boondocks or in the comfort of your own garage. When you're not welding, you can enjoy the benefits of a hi-amp alternator to keep that boom box supplied with power."

FOUR WHEELER
By: Jimmy Nylund Nov. 1997

"Installing a Premier welder in a vehicle is usually quite simple, involving only swapping out he alternator, mounting the control box/welder, and connecting a few wires."

JP MAGAZINE
Trailside Shop
By: Rob Reaser May 1997

"The Premier Power Welder is like a mini-shop that fits right under the hood of your Jeep."

FOUR WHEELER
Trail Fixes Made Easy with the Premier Power Welder
By: Michael Rudd

"The unique sound of an axle snapping under extreme pressure is unforgettable. The situation is usually worse with the realization that a spare axle is the one spare part you didn't think you'd need for this trail ride.

With the Premier underhood welder, broken parts can be mended easily, allowing you to get back on the trail in a reasonable amount of time."

4WD & SPORT UTILITY
Wilderness Welder
By: Trent Riddle June 1995

"To prepare for the worst (and hope for the best) we installed a Premier Power Welder. Following the second rule of Murphy's Law we are now assured that what can go wrong will most likely happen to others. The Premier Power Welder was a simple unit to install and operate.

4WD & SPORT UTILITY
Project Too Long part VI
By: Mark Werkmeister July 1996

"We did a quick check of the welding system's operating parameters using a multimeter, plug in the cables, run the engine up to the specified rpm and start welding. The high frequency source of the Premier setup is actually easier to use than a standard arc welder."

OFF-ROAD
Installing the Premier Power Welder
By: Chuck Eickhoff July 1998

"Premier makes sure installation is easy and complete. Wires from the welder to the alternator have specific connectors to mate to each other, making it impossible to mismatch. In roughly four hours, Road Warrior had his Jeep TJ ready for welding, lighting, charging, cutting, drilling, and more. In fact, it can power several tools at one time, as long as it doesn't exceed the power limits. If you do overload the system, a fuse will need to be replaced - the unit is protected along with your vehicle."

OFF-ROAD
Project Rampage Part 6
By: Tom Morr May 1996

"We've even come to rely on it for home welding since discovering that our particular house's 100-amp main service and strict local codes prohibit us from legally running a 220-volt AC arc welder. Moreover, the Premier Power unit is novice-welder friendly because the high-frequency current pin-points the arc for easy starts and reduces "arc wander" for easier control."

JP MAGAZINE
Spark an Arc
July 2000

"Think you've been broke, bad, and in deep do-do? Here's a short list of the things Gremillion has fixed on the trail and some of the things we have seen repaired"

Welded broken steering box sector shaft together after beveling the pieces. Reinforce bent tie rods. Welded broken pinion to bearing to keep it from falling into the differential and locking up the wheels Repair crushed oil pans and diff covers

Used exhaust pipe to repair twisted driveshaft Weld wheel flange to twisted two-piece axle Tack-weld U joint caps into wallowed out front axleshafts. Remount steering box on frame.

Weld several electrodes together and tack-weld the end to broken axle stuck in a differential to remove the small part Repaired shock mounts, spring perches, frames, bumpers. Trussed broken rear axle with scrap metal, and good enough to run for several days.

FOUR WHEELER
Making trail repairs easier
November 2001

"How did it work? We found that the welder easily handled all of our arc-welding needs both on the trail and at home. The power outlet allows us to carry a grinder and power drill in case they are needed for major trail repairs, and the unit will power a drop light for night work. We also used the welder to charge a dead battery, and we love the fact that we now have a high-output alternator for out lighting and winching needs".