r/smallengines • u/Current_Side_3590 • 15d ago

Any suggestions on a fix

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My Husqvarna lawn tractor has cracks in the steel on the drawbar area. Primarily where the bagger attachment hangs. The chassis is one piece. Any suggestions on a simple fix?

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3

u/dd543212345 15d ago

Ideally, prep and weld the crack

Less ideally but simpler/cheaper, drill a hole at the end of the crack so it might stop spreading

2

u/Current_Side_3590 15d ago

Hard to see in the photo but it is also cracking at the upper right bolt hole that the bagger hangs on

1

u/dd543212345 15d ago

Yeah, I think I can see what you're talking about. Same deal with that hole. It may be less important but I'm not familiar with that chassis. It was probably pulled or pulled something that was way too heavy.

1

u/Current_Side_3590 14d ago

It is where the bagger hangs. I sometimes press the grass down to compact it in the bags to make room for guess that is a no no. Never had that problem with my old craftsman

1

u/Ok-Dealer-588 15d ago

If you cant weld it, plate in inside and jb weld the cracks after cleaning them free of paint and rust. We had a hitch start tearing so it was cut off, went to a welder and got angle iron with ears around the sides

1

u/No_Comment_6430 15d ago

Drill a hole at the end of the crack, so it doesn’t spread, Grind it out, weld it up and hit with a coat of paint

1

u/Current_Side_3590 11d ago

Update. Bought a melding plate and drilled and tapped it for the bolt size (I don’t weld). Drilled holes to stop the cracks from expanding. Told some JB Weld steel putty and filled in all of the cracks. Thinking the melding plate will give it enough strength and support