hood stand cracked - Repairable, Replace or Ignore??

[USHorse 41]

 the ends on each side of the hood stand where the seat support bracket bolts to are cracked and metal broken off.  Can a good welder fab new pieces and weld in?  Wish I took the time to investigate last fall after mowing season as to remove hood stand will take some time. Removing hood stand requires steering wheel removal too? 

[JPWH 6,145]

That should be a fairly easy repair. I would think a good fabricator will be able to repair better than new.

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

I repaired 2 of mine just like that with light duty angle iron. I used to sit way back in the seat while plowing a steep hill and I think that is what caused it.

[c-series don 9,039]

Removing the hood stand is a lot of work. I just fixed mine in place. After removing the gas tank and fuel line I used a cut off wheel on a die grinder to square up the crack. Then cut and fit a piece of angle iron and welded it in place. As far a the holes go I have not drilled them yet, I'm going to put the gas tank and fender support back in place to determine where they go. Apparently this is a common problem with this series of tractors. Someone here said there is a factory support plate or something like that you can add, but I have never seen such a thing. If there is I would really like to see it. 

[daveoman1966 3,762]

I had this issue on two of my horses.  Used a 2 x 2 (approx.)  6" angle iron of approx. same thickness  and fit it between the side panel and break-away section.  Clamped in place, drill holes for original locations,  and leave a little bit too long...cut off as your see fit.   Fit a big washer in the square break-=away area to fill in the 'gap', then bolt down the gas tank and rethread the panel bolt going down thru..    presto... fixed.   

Edited April 3, 2016 by daveoman1966

[USHorse 41]

15 minutes ago, daveoman1966 said:

I had this issue on two of my horses.  Used a 2 x 2 (approx.)  6" angle iron of approx. same thickness  and fit it between the side panel and break-away section.  Clamped in place, drill holes for original locations,  and leave a little bit too long...cut off as your see fit.   Fit a big washer in the square break-=away area to fill in the 'gap', then bolt down the gas tank and rethread the panel bolt going down thru..    presto... fixed.   

I am reading your post that your repair was with no welding?  That would save me the hassle of tearing down and taking to a shop.  

[Stigian 1,234]

I've come across this issue on a few WH's, as long as you remove the gas tank and disconnect the battery they are easy to weld up in situ..

[Phatboy 565]

Mine cracked on my 310 and i just used a thin piece of thin angle and welded ( my sister n law) union pipe fitter ,, welded it into place ,,lol and lasted 7 years so far..

[USHorse 41]

Thank u all.  Sounds like some welding is in order.

 

 As I stare closer at my tranny now that the seat is off, looks like axle seals are not doing their job.  Like layers of an onion...LOL

[sorekiwi 761]

Its a lot of work to take all that off.  

 

Since you dont have welding facilities, I would remove the fuel tank and lines, and then load the whole tractor up on a trailer and drop it off at a local welding shop.  They'll fix it in about 1/10th of the time that you will spend pulling it all apart and putting it back together.

[Retired Sparky 526]

To your question, yes a good welder should be able to fix your broken piece. I did a fix that. Not an impossible job for someone with the skills. Good luck.