Pollack Pete 2,273 #1 Posted September 25, 2020 I'm working on a Brand X mower deck that has a few cracks.No rot,just cracks.Looking for opinions on repairing the cracks.Weld from the top? Weld from the bottom? Weld both top and bottom?Thanks for any info. Tough times don't last........Tough people do. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kwalshy 229 #2 Posted September 25, 2020 depends on the size of the cracks, aka the gap your trying to fill with the weld material. on my deck that had multiple cracks where spindles/mandrels bolt on, I welded from top & bottom to fill the gaps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeM 7,871 #3 Posted September 25, 2020 1 hour ago, kwalshy said: aka the gap your trying to fill with the weld material I have a slug of brass that I hold under the larger gaps/missing piece areas when filling. If you get the heat just right, welding one side is all that is necessary. Just look and see if you got good penetration. Drilling a small hole at the end of the major cracks tends to stop the re-crack or migrations. I weld that thin stuff vertical down. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pollack Pete 2,273 #4 Posted September 25, 2020 No gaps at all.Just fatigue cracks where the height adjuster is bolted on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee1977 6,642 #5 Posted September 25, 2020 (edited) 1 hour ago, Pollack Pete said: No gaps at all.Just fatigue cracks where the height adjuster is bolted on. 1 hour ago, Pollack Pete said: No gaps at all.Just fatigue cracks where the height adjuster is bolted on. I would weld it and add a metal plate on the bottom side. I have a WH 42" deck that I added plates on both sides of the height adjuster as it was rusted out. I can't see to weld anymore so i added a 14 gage to the bottom and a 16 gage to the top also a few extra bolts . Edited September 25, 2020 by Lee1977 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 9,687 #6 Posted September 25, 2020 Yep drill a small hole at each end of the crack to stop it from spreading. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 38,022 #7 Posted September 25, 2020 44 minutes ago, Lee1977 said: I would weld it and add a metal plate on the bottom side. I have a WH 42" deck that I added plates on both sides of the height adjuster as it was rusted out. I can't see to weld anymore so i added a 14 gage to the bottom and a 16 gage to the top also a few extra bolts . I always add a backer plate under the hanger and wheel supports. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bc.gold 3,403 #8 Posted September 25, 2020 To keep the crack from progressing drill a small hole at or slightly beyond the break Stop Drilling And Welding I understand that you need to stop drill a crack to prevent the crack from spreading My question is two fold.....how do you identify the exact end of the crack and should you weld up the hole when welding the crack? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RJ Hamner 1,007 #9 Posted September 25, 2020 2 hours ago, Ed Kennell said: I always add a backer plate under the hanger and wheel supports. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
