Rotary mower repair

[MESSMAKER]

The gearbox became a bit loose and it cracked the plate slightly around one of the holes on the mounting plate. I need to repair.
1-Take off gearbox and cut out the plate and replace.
2-take off gearbox and mount a 1/4" plate on top
3-weld a plate over the cracked area


What would you guys do?

 

[MinnesotaDaveChalmers]

Mostly I just grind out cracks and weld.

But if you take off the gear box and post pics, the advice is easier to give.

 

[Gary Fowler]

After removing the gear box, I would start by grinding out the crack, fill back with 7018 weld metal. Then if you think the gear box mounting is a bit weak, add a 1/4" plate to the top. Weld it solidly all the way around and if the area is large enough, add some 3/4-1" plug welds on the interior (at least 4) to firmly attach the new plate to the old one.
A plug weld is done by drilling or cutting a round hole in the top plate large enough that you can weld the under side plate to the top plate. This basically make both plates into one unit.