Help - How do I fix this (or is it fixable?)

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I have a John Deere L111 Lawn Mower, and the deck broke around the support where it attaches to the mechanism for raising & lowering the deck, which means that the right side is just hanging down.  The deck now has a ragged hole in it about 6 inches around, and that part of the deck is still bolted to the linkage.  I have a picture - I'll try to post it shortly.  My question is - since the failure is at the point of alot of tension, would a weld hold, or would it be a temporary solution?
Reply:It sounds to me like you're going to need to patch in a new piece of metal.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:I have done of lot of mower repairs on decks! Best thing to do is cut out the damaged area and weld in a new piece. How you do the repair will depend on the resources available to you. Use same thickness of metal. To form it to shape there is the old  fashion method of heat, hammer and patience. Be sure the damaged area is cleaned well of grease, oil, paint, and grass clippings. Then grind the weld  area of both the deck and the patch. Weld the patch both inside the inside of the deck if possible and the outside for strength. Next cut off any damaged areas of where the linkage  attached to the deck. Follow the same cleaning and grinding and then do the placement of the linkage on the deck. Only spot welding the linkage in place and then test the linkage to be sure it properly placed and working well. Then finish your linkage weld. Once the welding is finished clean up the welds and patch and seal the patch seams with some paint able caulk before finally painting the repaired areaLet the paint dry well before you go out mowing. The repaired area should outlast the deck.There you go hope that helpsCo-Own CNC shop:Miller :1251 plasma cutter, MaxStar 700 TIG/Stick, & XMT 456 Multiprocess Welder.&  2 Hypertherm HPR260's Plasma CutterSorry I had a bad stroke but now I am back.
Reply:Yes it's easily repairable.  Post your location and there's likely a board member who'll be happy to make the repair for a fair price. Originally Posted by erickatI have a John Deere L111 Lawn Mower, and the deck broke around the support where it attaches to the mechanism for raising & lowering the deck, which means that the right side is just hanging down.  The deck now has a ragged hole in it about 6 inches around, and that part of the deck is still bolted to the linkage.  I have a picture - I'll try to post it shortly.  My question is - since the failure is at the point of alot of tension, would a weld hold, or would it be a temporary solution?
Reply:I'm in Parkton, MD - which is about 9 miles south of the PA line.  I called Southern York Turf & Tractor & they're going to check w/ John Deere - the thing is only 3 years old, garage kept & only used to mow a residential yard (about 1 acre).  I'm trying to find a place to post a picture, so you can see the damage.
Reply:Hopefully, this will work - here is the link to the picture
Reply:I have a similar ( L-110 ) deck and had almost the same trouble. I caught it before it tore loose and just re welded it. So far so good.It is a cheaply made deck that is very thin, with crappy "production quality" mig welds that don't wet out well and have cold starts. It's designed to fail.This is what mine looks like after a year or so. I probably used 3/32" 7018. Not my best work for sure, but it ain't broke!  I think I was filling a hole in the middle... Attached Images
Reply:What I was trying to say, and didn't, was that a patch plate would be stronger, but you may have good luck just by replacing the garbage factory weld with a real one.Good luck.Last edited by daddy; 09-01-2009 at 07:27 PM.Reason: comma's
Reply:Thanks - Here's a better picture of the damage - you can see where it tore out completely.  I'm waiting to see if John Deere covers anything - which will determine whether i let them fix it or go to a local welding shop.
Reply:If you just have it rewelded, perhaps the best option, have them scab a plate on the bottom that covers beyond the area of the breakout, so the entire load area will be reinforced.  It will need to be welded through within the perimeter of the covered area but your welder will know how to do it correctly.  And maybe another patch on the other pickup attachment stress point too.  Reinforcement plates are very common in attachment points on large surfaces, particularly when metal is so thin you can read a newspaper through it .  The patch plate distributes the load over a wider area to reduce the maximum stress and possible tearout, i.e. your problem.[Note:  you can post pics right here by managing attachments.  That way someone who looks at your pic does not get additional spyware and bothersome videos from the picture hosting web site as in your pics.]
Reply:Square it of and patch it.I.B.E.W Electrician and Damn Proud of It !!!! .Virtus Junxit Mors Non Separabit http://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/