Rotary Cutter Bush Hog gone bad

[sandman2234]

I am not 100% sure it is cast at all. I have a bush hog out back that has that same type of crack, and the metal appears the same as shown in that picture. If it had been from something hitting it, there would be some metal distortion, but metal fatique shows up like a grain. The outside shows rough areas, but that is probably deep surface rust, (pitts).
The owner just told me he was mowing thick grass with it, and that the bolts worked loose. I think that pretty much puts it at metal fatigue and explains why it looks like it does.
It pretty much stands that this is a repairable unit, and the first step is to determine that there is nothing wrong with the gearbox.
Thanks everyone,
David from jax

 

[andrewj]

looks fixable. problem was he probably let his bolts/nuts get loose, causing vibration. should also check where blade attaches to central arm for cracks inthe bolt hole. I have welded worse! fix it now before gearbox breaks.