Broke my mower

   / Broke my mower #1  

woodlandfarms

Super Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2006
Messages
6,137
Location
Los Angeles / SW Washington
Tractor
PowerTrac 1850, Kubota RTV x900
The ear that comes off the cross arm and connects to the deck broke at the bottom where it connects to the deck. Stress got it... Debating wether to weld it back together or order a new one or have a new one bent at the steel shop. Probably going to weld but opinions are not a bad thing on this.
 
   / Broke my mower #4  
I would make a reinforcement pad maybe 4"x4", weld it to the deck, then weld a stronger piece to the repad. Weight distribution is the key and of course heavier components. Make sure any connecting pieces have sufficient strength to handle the load or that will be the next failure.
 
   / Broke my mower
  • Thread Starter
#5  
So here are pix of the break. I have welded it back up and feel pretty good about the results but ran out of daylight. Will post pix of final repair tomorrow.

Some important notes. The other ear, which I have a picture of here, exhibited initial cracking.

one of the three bolts that held the ear to the deck was loose. Not sure how in the heck that could happen, and it is something I have never tested for. Might have helped in the failure department.

I am abusive to this tractor and its gear. Lots of surpises on my property that I run into (stress on ears and cross bar). Also I sometimes mow in float instead of draft to get a lower cut, I think it puts some stress on the mower when turning.
 

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   / Broke my mower #6  
I'd put a couple triangles of steel perpendicular to the horizontal and vertical plates as a gusset. One between the center and each outside bolt should do it. Then it would probably never crack again.
 
   / Broke my mower
  • Thread Starter
#7  
This is the end result. Paint always makes a weld look better. I did double side the weld, and then gusseted
 

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   / Broke my mower #9  
Bless you, i don't feel so bad about my welds now. :D
Never the less, it looks like it should do the job. Maybe next time you could use a little more heat.
 
   / Broke my mower
  • Thread Starter
#10  
Yeah... Funny my other welds look a lot better.... I am still figuring out this Lincoln mig. I am realizing I have some issues with the front settings. Complete beps on the nobs. No way to set by voltage... Just by abcdefg.
 

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