Cracked 42 inch rear discharge

[PAguy 8]

Hello gents! 

I find myself with a question for the forum before I go down the path of ripping my deck apart in the middle of the season. 

 

I have a 42 inch rear discharge 78350 that seems to have developed a crack at the center spindle (photo attached). At first I thought I had unbalanced blade issue bc the deck will vibrate something fearce. Long story short took it off got everything sharp and freshly greased. Started it up and it had the vibration again that reverberates through the deck. Now it's not as as bad as before but at the wrong angle or first starting it just vibrates loudly. So looked around and found the crack at the center spindle. 

 

Debating if a simple weld would be sufficient for this crack or it would need more extensive repair? I don't weld myself but before I bothered the guy that farms the property thought I would ask here for thoughts if someone has had this issue since I was not seeing something in the forum. 

 

Appreciate your guys help and thoughts. 

Edited August 6, 2024 by PAguy
Grammer issue

[adsm08 4,866]

A simple weld should be sufficient. It looks like one end is in that bolt hole. Find the other end and drill it out, just needs to be a small hole, but it needs to be round. If you don't, even after the welding the crack can continue to spread. Drilling it will stop the spread.

Edited August 6, 2024 by adsm08

[PAguy 8]

Thank you! That's very helpful to know I did not think of it possibly spreading further or that simply drilling a hole at the end will stop it. I personally don't do the weld I just have the farmer down the road do it but try to have all the prep done before I head down. Greatly appreciate the feedback. 

[adsm08 4,866]

13 minutes ago, PAguy said:

Thank you! That's very helpful to know I did not think of it possibly spreading further or that simply drilling a hole at the end will stop it. I personally don't do the weld I just have the farmer down the road do it but try to have all the prep done before I head down. Greatly appreciate the feedback. 

 

You are welcome.

 

I never would have thought about that on my own either. That was taught to me by an old Navy welder many years ago while he was helping me repair a tear in my floor pan.

[Pullstart 70,964]

  it’ Wild how the grain structure doesn’t care that it’s been welded.  The crack will find a way to continue, but that “culdesac” at the end of the road makes it find another way, except it’s a circle so it has no way.

[cleat 9,091]

Also, make sure your blades are well balanced.

A vibration caused by an out of balance blade can contribute to this cracking.

 

[lynnmor 8,966]

I had a number of cracks on a 42” RD but they were at the rear mounts.  The welds have held up for years.  Check for pulley runout and varying belt thickness, perhaps the cracking was caused by vibration from those.  Be sure you hire a welder that can do thin metal right, someone that isn’t a professional might cause more problems.

[peter lena 9,989]

@PAguy   another thing that  enhances / increases  deck cracking is  bearing failure , first sign , is how badly  does the belt bounce , on the spring tension pulley ?  that constant incremental stop / start /  lubrication  bearing failure , is a constant vibrational  buzzing going thru the deck , add that to a  rusty area , seam   often refer to , HOW EASILY DOES THE DECK , BELT DRIVE MOVE , AT THE PTO DRIVE START POINT ?  mine easily moves by hand , and no screaming  lever engagement , a number of issues there , don,t forget  to add  / re grease spindle bearings  , mule drive bearings , pto cone , replace outer sealed , regrease inner needle , don,t over grease  inner needle , excess flings to clutch face . like lucas H/D green chassis grease / spindle bearings , clean out and re grease all related bearings , 550 drop point grease / made for heat / stress , deck is very quiet . pete