Peter,
It is not cracked welds...
The actual plate that holds the gearbox gets cracks. There are angle pieces under it and beside it to attach and to hold the belt covers, but it is the thick plate the gearbox sits on that is cracking. It must be torque stress from the gear box. I have always
been at low RPM when engaging and diss-engaging the PTO, but there has to be a lot of stress back there. I buy shear bolts by the bag. Break at least 3-4 per season.
You may have to look close or run an oily rag over the area to see them.
Ron
It is not cracked welds...
The actual plate that holds the gearbox gets cracks. There are angle pieces under it and beside it to attach and to hold the belt covers, but it is the thick plate the gearbox sits on that is cracking. It must be torque stress from the gear box. I have always
been at low RPM when engaging and diss-engaging the PTO, but there has to be a lot of stress back there. I buy shear bolts by the bag. Break at least 3-4 per season.
You may have to look close or run an oily rag over the area to see them.
Ron