I used an AC/DC arc welder to tack weld the expanded on my ramp. I played around w/ a small mig welder, but it splashes A LOT and I just couldn't get a good weld out of it.

 

www.weldingweb.com Or go to a welding supplier in your area and look at grabbing a millermatic 135 , or hobart handler 135, Both machines can do Fcaw (Flux-Core Arc Welding) Or Mig (Metal Inert Gas), Fluxcore is the ideal for what you are planning and it requires no gas cylinders. Weldingweb.com can help you more!!

 

Keeping the expanded metal attached and not bowed is a constant battle. I finally welded an additional piece of angle inbetween the angle on the ramp, just where the wheels of my mower run on the ramp. It is worth the extra weight. The expanded metal stays attached and the mower has more clearance going over the hinged end because there is no sag.

 

Eastwood 175 look it up. Affordable , versatile, and I fab and fix all my trailer implements with it!

 

I had extra angle iron to my ramp in the areas that take the most weight. Fixed it 10 years ago or so and looks perfect today.

 

I bought a flux core wire welder just for this purpose and reason. Never welded before in my life. 10 YouTube videos and a few hours of practice welding later and I'll be darned if I'm not actually sticking 2 pieces of metal together and they are holding. Not pretty I'll admit but after a little cleanup with the angle grinder and some primer/paint looks decent but more over it's holding together. Got it on sale at China tool for under $150..

 

A grinder and some paint will make me the weldor I ain't.

 

Adding brackets where the wheels ride is the ticket. Also not all expanded metal is the same. You want heavy gauge raised not flat or the small slot type. I've found most gates to be light on the construction side just so they're not so heavy you can't pick them up. I've always beefed them up and added lift assists.

 

I have dropped all expanded metal and use angle iron spaced about 4 inches apart across the gate. Granted I have spit gated and each one is well over 100lbs, but my 1500 lb mower no long tears up the gate.

 

the Hubert handler 135 is a great set up on a budget. (120v mig capable portable up to 5/16 thick A36 steel)..... I'd opt go for 7-gage raised material for beefiness and some angle iron support under the main tire track traffic area if you have the spring assist on the gate...if not.... the size 3/4- #9 is sufficient ....you could also go with a bar grate product which is about 75% stronger than expanded metal (bar grating is what they make overhead catwalks out of, or industrial stairs/walkways)

Another option I've seen is to run a 11ga diamond plate sheet between the angle supports.

McNicholas is the a major distributor on the east coast- here is their page.
http://www.mcnichols.com/products/e...KBRCZmNTvyovvj-4BEiQAl_sgQutPz-WKq7hbVOGokAH-_v60hsfM1t1DAVzsb3vxG8caAq7k8P8HAQ

Check out Reliance Steel & Aluminum they have a bunch of service centers across the US...and Metalsupermarkets in the NE... although Reliance supplies metalsupermarkets

 

This is a battle for me too. I purchased a harbor freight 100 buck wire welder a year or two ago. It's been great for stuff like this. I've only re tacked my expanded metal one time. The thing to make sure of is to get a good C clamp to hold it to the frame of the ramp and make sure it's a good weld. I welded mine in so many more spots than the original welds tha theld it. I think it had 4 on each side originally and I probably have at least twice that. For expanded metal you don't need a fancy welder, mine was more than hot enough and I can do 1/4" steel without much of a problema s well, i've repaired mower wheel mounts and other items.