Double the Productivity on Crane Rails with the Battery-Powered PROMOTECH BEETLE Battery
BEETLE Battery is a programmable welding tractor powered by CAS battery, engineered for precise and efficient welding using a left, right or both left and right torches. Its dual-sided functionality enables continuous or stitch longitudinal welding on one or both sides of a joint, significantly shortening overall work cycles.
Its primary application is the welding of crane runways and other steel bars on the top of metal sections components, such as crane beams, girders, I-beams, T-beams, C-profiles or other horizontal surface. Both the width and height of the rectangular cross-section must be between 30 mm and 80 mm. Compact and lightweight, this carriage can be easily repositioned wherever it’s needed.
The BEETLE Battery enables continuous and stitch welding of butt and fillet joints using the MIG/MAG method. The 150 N pulling force provides sufficient traction for stable operation on structural steel profiles while maintaining precise travel speed and weld quality.
It travels horizontally on wheels at speeds ranging from 5 to 130 cm/min (2–51 in/min) and 4-wheel drive system with magnetic traction ensures stable movement of the tractor. Its path is guided by roller arms, which remain in direct contact with a steel bar located inside the tractor. The closed-loop speed control system stabilizes travel speed, enabling uniform heat input to produce consistent, repeatable results across a wide range of fabrication tasks.
More Welding Patterns for Structural Fabrication
BEETLE Battery is equipped with mounts for two welding torches and a cross-slide that allows independent vertical and horizontal adjustment of each torch. Single- or dual-torch side welding is selectable, and the arm height is adjustable.
While both the MANTIS Battery and the BEETLE Battery deliver the benefits of cordless dual-torch welding for structural steel fabrication, BEETLE Battery takes welding flexibility a step further. BEETLE Battery gives operators the ability to precisely define how the two torches work together throughout the welding process. It offers 5 primary torch operating configurations, each available in both continuous and intermittent (stitch) welding modes:
- Welding with the left torch only
- Welding with the right torch only
- Alternating welding with both torches, starting from the left side
- Alternating welding with both torches, starting from the right side
- Simultaneous welding with both torches
Welding with a single torch
Working with either left or right torch only is ideal for one-sided applications, or situations where welding specifications differ from one side of the profile to the other, or when access is restricted. When operating with a single torch, users can choose between continuous welding and intermittent (stitch) welding modes, depending on the application requirements.
Single torch continuous welding
Single torch intermittent (stitch) welding
Dual torch welding
Simultaneous welding with both torches maximizes productivity for applications requiring identical welds on both sides of the profile. A welding tractor equipped with two torches can complete welding tasks in half the time compared to using a single torch. By evenly heating both sides of the joint, dual torches enhance penetration and fusion, resulting in stronger, more durable welds.
In intermittent (stitch) mode, the tractor creates a series of individual weld spots or short weld segments along a joint instead of one continuous weld. It reduces heat concentration and minimizes distortion in thinner materials.
Alternating welding
In alternating welding both torches are used, but they operate alternately. BEETLE Battery provides users with additional flexibility when planning weld sequences and heat distribution. The ability to determine which torch – left or right, starts first is one of the most distinctive features of the BEETLE Battery. It allows fabricators to optimize the process for specific beam geometries or production requirements.
Alternate welding without additional skip
In alternating welding without additional skips, the selected torch (left or right) creates a weld, then switches off while the opposite torch immediately produces the next weld, repeating the cycle along the entire programmed path. This creates a continuous alternating welding sequence while maintaining balanced heat input on both sides of the beam. Weld segments are placed on both sides of the joint, creating a balanced and uniform pattern.
Alternating welding with an additional skip
For applications requiring lower heat input, an additional skip can be introduced between the alternating welds. This approach can be especially beneficial when welding thinner structural profiles where distortion control is critical.
Both torches are welding, and the sequence is: the selected torch (left or right) creates a weld and then shuts off. The tractor travels over a programmed skip distance. Next, the second torch ignites and produces a weld. The cycle continues until the total path is reached.
By allowing operators to select either the left or right torch as the starting point, the BEETLE Battery delivers a level of process control not typically available on compact dual-torch welding tractors. By optimizing the welding sequence to various profile types, including crane beams, girders, I-beams, T-beams, and other structural sections, BEETLE Battery helps to reduce welding time and improve overall fabrication efficiency.
Programmable variables diagram
BEETLE Battery comes with simple and ergonomic programming of welding patterns and stitch welding by specifying parameters such as:
- Length of a single weld,
- Total path,
- Skip length between welds,
- Backweld,
- PRE and POST crater filling time
A convenient multifunctional LED display provides real-time information on travel speed, units, welding settings, and diagnostic messages.
PRE and POST crater filling
Crater filling helps to avoid the formation of cracks at the start (PRE) and the end (POST) of the weld, ensuring a continuous and uniform weld, which is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of the joint.
CAS Cordless Mobility – LiHD Battery
Designed for maximum mobility and safety, the BEETLE Battery is powered by an 18 V DC LiHD (Lithium High Density) CAS battery, used also in other PROMOTECH’s cordless machines.
PROMOTECH is a member of the Cordless Alliance System (CAS), a cross-manufacturer battery platform initiated by Metabo that brings together more than 50 leading power tool brands under a single battery standard. With over 500 compatible tools sharing the same battery and charger technology, CAS offers exceptional flexibility. Batteries and chargers can be seamlessly exchanged between compatible tools.
Read more about cordless mobility powered CAS >>
Intelligent Battery Management
All CAS batteries feature Intelligent Battery Management, electrical and thermal. This technology safeguards individual battery cells during demanding operation, rapid charging, and high-discharge cycles, ensuring consistent performance and long service life. A built-in capacity indicator informs operators about the remaining charge level at a glance. To maximize productivity, batteries can be swapped in seconds, ensuring the tractor remains ready for operation while a spare battery is being recharged.
Power-Saving Mode
To maximize battery life, the BEETLE Battery automatically enters a power-saving mode after 5 minutes of inactivity. The tractor can be easily restarted by switching the power selector from “O” to “I”.
Check our article to learn more about CAS Intelligent Battery Management >>
The carriage features heat-resistant rubber wheels that ensure smooth and stable movement, even in applications where the tractor moves closer to the hot weld seam, during long or multi-pass welds. When welding in the horizontal position on a preheated plate, use optional stainless steel wheels (KOL-0466-72-00-00-0).
With its programmable dual-torch operation, advanced welding pattern selection, and cordless CAS battery, the BEETLE Battery provides fabricators with even more ways to optimize weld quality, minimize distortion, and adapt the welding process to the exact requirements of each project. Designed for crane runway production and a wide range of structural beam applications, the BEETLE Battery combines precision, portability, and repeatability in a compact, easy-to-use package.
