How to fix this crack the correct way.

[Poorboy04]

What is the best way to fix this crack? I bought a 2002 new holland tc24d and after a day a noticed hydraulic oil leaking from the crack. Which is in the rear end transmission case. As you can see the weld on the outside is pretty wide and about 12" long. The weld doesn't leak to bad but I want to make sure that it's sructuall sound. Being that the tractor has a front bucket and I feel this is a high stress area. The case is aluminum cast and would be a very expensive and time consuming fix if it completely cracks. Should I have someone weld the inside of the crack to? Even though a will have to split the tractor in to and pull some of the transmission apart for him to get to it. Or should I just JB weld or expoxy the crack to stop the leak?

 

[Poorboy04]

Also here is a picture of the tractor and the case from a parts catalog.

 

[Shield Arc]

That is going to be a bear to fix! Might as well start taking it apart, clean it up.
Do you own a Tig welder, capable of welding aluminum?

 

[Poorboy04]

No I'm capable of tearing it apart, but I will have to hire someone that has experience in welding cast aluminum.

 

[Shield Arc]

The more you do cleaning it up, will save you some money. I wouldn't do any weld prep. Every welder likes to do that them selves.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I'd fix it and get rid of it. That thing has been rode hard and put up wet. Those chipped off teeth are NOT a good sign, and likely a lot of has gotten into parts of your hydraulic system. I do not like those cheap aluminum tractors. They are nothing but glorified lawn mowers. A front end loader is asking for trouble on those things. Likely the tractor had a backhoe and one time too and that is what did it in.

But if you are going to have it fixed, it needs to be broken down, and steam cleaned, then it needs to be V grooved on both sides...and welded from both sides, I would think to keep from warping it too much by putting too much heat into it.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I'd fix it and get rid of it. That thing has been rode hard and put up wet. Those chipped off teeth are NOT a good sign, and likely a lot of has gotten into parts of your hydraulic system. I do not like those cheap aluminum tractors. They are nothing but glorified lawn mowers. A front end loader is asking for trouble on those things. Likely the tractor had a backhoe and one time too and that is what did it in.

But if you are going to have it fixed, it needs to be broken down, and steam cleaned, then it needs to be V grooved on both sides...and welded from both sides, I would think to keep from warping it too much by putting too much heat into it.

Edit: And get a smaller rotary cutter. It looks like a five foot. That unit should never have anything more than a 4. I imagine that is the PTO shaft. It even has the teeth twisted. While you are in there, might as well replace it.

 

[Poorboy04]

I would love to get rid of it!!! What is a fair market value for something in this shape. It's has 1,000 hrs and comes with no implements.

 

[yomax4]

Man, She's a weak platform for a tractor. Buy the time you tear it down there wont be a nut or bolt left untouched. I feel for you. Wondering what this unit is worth as is? I would enjoy fixing it after it was torn down but that casing is so impregnated with oil, It will take a lot of Heating, Boiling, Steaming and Baking to get it to take a weld. Still be fun to fix though.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

I would love to get rid of it!!! What is a fair market value for something in this shape. It's has 1,000 hrs and comes with no implements.

Given the catastrophic nature of the failure and the damage to the gears and other possible problems, if you get 3500 out of it, I think it would be a decent deal for both. You are looking at a good bit of money for the repair, or if it can't be repaired, for the case, and new shaft(s). Possibly a couple grand for parts and labor.