Mowing Crack in my 72" mid mower deck (pix)

[Von]

Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

Gave the mower deck a bath and this is what I found /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif The crack is about 1 3/4" long and growing! It is on the back of the deck on the right side. anyone else have this problem? Its a simple fix with the mig welder, and I don't mind. But these decks are fairly thick and I need it to last a long time. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Please let me know if there are any cracks on your mower deck.

 

[agcomike]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

odd /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif... is there any signs of an inpact point or anything? could been where they formed the deck i've seen a lot on smaller decks 42-48 but the heavy guage it's unusual..

 

[RoyJackson]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

"The crack is about 1 3/4" long and growing!"

The first thing you do is stop drill the crack (a 1/8th or so drill bit). Drill at the end of the crack. Otherwise, it may propagate further, even if you weld (in fact, welding may make it worse).

A crack begins because of a stress riser of some sort...normally a sharp corner or edge. Reckon it came from the factory (or even the plate from the mill) with a small crack or some such defect. It just grew while you were using the mower.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

I agree,also when you weld it you need to try and weld up the full depth,[thickness of your deck by grinding a groove and than grinding backside till you hit solid weld metal than welding back side],as well as the length.If you just weld up the crack that is in the picture one pass over on outside only,than you still got a crack,its just that you can't see it,yet. RICHARD GAUTHIER

 

[markie61]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

Whoa! What's all this talk about welding? /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
First, is it new enough that warranty may cover it? Get a new one....
Just a thought..... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Mark

 

[TresCrows]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

Yes, by all means stop drill the hole before welding. I would fab a patch over it as well perhaps. How do you remove and install such a large deck to the tractor? J

 

[Pks]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

If you get a new one, can you have the dealer ship me the broken one. My B2400 would love to have a 72 inch mmm. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Von]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

J, It only takes about 2 min. to remove or install the mower decks on the B27-2910! One great thing about these decks is the ability to be rolled around on the caster gauge wheels. Once off I just use my engine hoist to pick it up. I will drill a hole at the top of the split and then grind a V in the back side and weld it all back together. I wish the deck was still under warranty, but it is a 99' so its too old.

I don't recall ever hitting anything, at least not that hard!

And Peter, I just don't think you will be able to fit this deck between your front and back tires! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif But hey.... it didn't cost you anything to ask about it! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[TresCrows]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

Well, what I was wondering was if you drive the tractor over it to remove or install as I have heard that some do. If so that is likely your problem. The crack appears to be in a formed bend in the deck. Such a place would be a natural stress riser. I am not sure what your metal fabbing capabilities are but I would make a patch and the patch would have a taper on both ends and center it on the crack. The patch would have to be formed to the contour of the deck there. It would never crack again. I fear simply welding it, especially with a stick welder will only result in more cracks eventually. The very high heat and instantaneous imput and removal of that heat in arc welding results in brittle welds and reduced strength. If it is stick welded then after stick welding keep the area cherry red with a conventional torch and slowly remove the torch allowing the metal to "air" anneal slowly. Yeah, I know farmers could care less and use stick welders everywhere but we don't build airplanes that way cuz the welds crack and fail often in the crystalized metal beside the weld as will that one if you just weld it up with a stick welder. J

 

[Von]

Re: Crack in my 72\" mid mower deck (pix)

J, I don't drive on the deck. I either use the loader to pick up the front end, or use a floor jack if the loader is not on. I will be using a mig welder and will leave a good bead on the back side that is out of sight. If it cracks again I'll just have to weld it again. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif