cracked lift arm

New lift arms for MF35's w/33" centers are in the $80 range. Is there a way to repair one of these things without losing the tensile strength, like proper use of heat, and peening?

Hi ELW, I repaired my lift arm much like t-bone suggest but did a cut out as you can see in this picture.I did that over 3 years ago now and its still holding. I used just heat,oil and plate metal and my welder.

best wishes
TO35

What type plate metal did you use? Was it hard, like the lift arm metal, or can I use mild steel?

Sending photo just for heck of it.

best wishes
TO

Question: how did you get the photo to show up on my screen?

You need anneal the steel 2" on either side of the weld zone before welding. Heat to a bright red the let air cool until cold. Then preheat too 400f, then weld with 7018, 7014, 7024, then heat too a dull red then quench in oil, finish grind, then reheat too 500f (lead bath works well) for 1hr for every one inch in thickness (adds temper), then quench in oil.

Make sure the torch flame is a reducing flame and not a oxidizing flame. Anotherwords "slightly" more Acetylene than Oxygen.

T_Bone