My current thoughts.... I am concerned about welding on the tractor without disassembling at least the PTO. What about the differential inside the case, surely I would not get all that steel hot enough to damage it? Prolly not good for the 12 gallon of fresh oil in the case either!
If I caught 3 trumpet housing bolts on each side, and with half inch plate, would that be strong enough? My other option is to run tubes dow to the draw bar assembly below to stiffen the structure.
Thinking to run 1/2 plate basically around the bracket like below. Left to right: Catch 3 or 4 housing bolts on each side. Run 1/2 in plate next to the center housing with a bend for stiffness and a notch around existing welded on lower pipe. Then run a plate back on either side with holes for the pin (have to be a longer pin ) and then tie them together behind the bracket. The bracket between the pins will still be installed from the top. I know this is a pretty rough picture... but with gussets I think I am in the ballpark... or maybe I am overthinking it. I do have access to a well equipped shop. !
If I caught 3 trumpet housing bolts on each side, and with half inch plate, would that be strong enough? My other option is to run tubes dow to the draw bar assembly below to stiffen the structure.
Thinking to run 1/2 plate basically around the bracket like below. Left to right: Catch 3 or 4 housing bolts on each side. Run 1/2 in plate next to the center housing with a bend for stiffness and a notch around existing welded on lower pipe. Then run a plate back on either side with holes for the pin (have to be a longer pin ) and then tie them together behind the bracket. The bracket between the pins will still be installed from the top. I know this is a pretty rough picture... but with gussets I think I am in the ballpark... or maybe I am overthinking it. I do have access to a well equipped shop. !
