ri702bill 12,102 #1 Posted March 14 (edited) The C81 I picked up last summer had a common crack issue on one side at the back end of the Hoodstand where the Z shaped bracket, rear fenderpan and seat hinges bolt on. So didn't my parts donor tractor, but on the opposite side.... Looking down on the Hoodstand it is a 3 piece spot welded construction shaped like the letter "H". The solution was to split the left panel welds and do a mix-n-match of the better parts, reinforce those corners, and reassemble with pop rivets. I used 1/8" x 1-1/2" angle iron cut to shape and drilled for four plug welds each. This was easy to do with it split apart.... almost impossible to do together... I used the original hole for a nut & bolt and 2 pair of locking pliers for the fixturing. Edited March 14 by ri702bill 4 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 873 #3 Posted March 14 Excellent repair! Thanks for sharing. I'd check out the F plate too as they seem to crack hand in hand. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 12,102 #4 Posted March 14 29 minutes ago, Thor27 said: Excellent repair! Thanks for sharing. I'd check out the F plate too as they seem to crack hand in hand. Hopefully not as bad as this one from an 854... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Thor27 873 #5 Posted March 14 8 minutes ago, ri702bill said: Hopefully not as bad as this one from an 854... I bought (cheap) a 92 312H that the whole center was broken out, as well as both sides of the hood stand. I swear the only thing holding it together was the brake rod and belt. I drove it on my trailer that way, the front of tractor would rock with the whole range of motion on the front axle with both rear tires on the ground. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 2,859 #6 Posted March 14 6 hours ago, ri702bill said: The C81 I picked up last summer had a common crack issue on one side at the back end of the Hoodstand where the Z shaped bracket, rear fenderpan and seat hinges bolt on. So didn't my parts donor tractor, but on the opposite side.... Looking down on the Hoodstand it is a 3 piece spot welded construction shaped like the letter "H". The solution was to split the left panel welds and do a mix-n-match of the better parts, reinforce those corners, and reassemble with pop rivets. I used 1/8" x 1-1/2" angle iron cut to shape and drilled for four plug welds each. This was easy to do with it split apart.... almost impossible to do together... I used the original hole for a nut & bolt and 2 pair of locking pliers for the fixturing. Absolutely beautiful repair. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 18,238 #8 Posted March 15 7 hours ago, ri702bill said: I used 1/8" x 1-1/2" angle iron cut to shape and drilled for four plug welds each. Some very nice work there. Looks like it was originally built that way! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bill D 2,859 #9 Posted March 18 On 3/14/2026 at 8:40 PM, kpinnc said: Some very nice work there. Looks like it was originally built that way! Too bad it wasn't built that way originally! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kpinnc 18,238 #10 Posted March 18 1 hour ago, Bill D said: Too bad it wasn't built that way originally! Indeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
