Cub Cadet 7275 tractor frame issue

[brods]

I know its a long shot, but if you don't ask.... ***Same as a Case 1140****

A friend's Cub Cadet 7275 tractor (3cyl diesel) with a front loader, frame is broken. Someone had tried to repair it in the past. No problem, clean it up and re-weld everything correctly, right? While cleaning things up I see no signs that the L legs were ever welded to the side rails. Just the boogered attempts to "fix" it. The L legs bolt to the engine as do the side rails. It appears with the tractor the drive train is the main structural member and everything bolts to it. The front axle and the front loader mount to this frame. I've circled where the factory weld is in the second picture. I've done some searching on the web and have come up empty. Most tractor forums don't seem to deal with these larger Cub tractors. I'm thinking these L members are to support the frame when it is trying to twist, like when one front wheel is off the ground. I'm hesitant to weld them solidly to the side rails if they were originally designed to flex.

So..... Does anyone own one of these larger Cub Cadet 7000 series tractors and can check to see how the frame was welded at the factory?

Can anyone recommend an active tractor forum that might help?

And please feel free to speculate the pros and cons of welding it solid.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gsbrockman]

Can’t guarantee anything...but you might try here:

https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/

 

[brods]

Thanks, I think the Cub of that vintage might be the same as a Case, which they have a section for.

After some more thought, I think the L legs are more for front to back movement, like when driving the bucket into a dirt pile. There were two broken bolts on the side rails which I'm guessing allowed the frame to move up and down more than it should have. That in turn might have caused more flex in the L legs eventually causing them to fail. Eh, sounds good, lol.

I've repaired it without welding the legs to the side rails and figure if need be they can be welded from underneath the tractor (unless if find out differently before tomorrow when its getting put back together).