[hdsdcouple]

to me I would weld it also, a good welder can grind the crack and weld and then grind the weld so you never see it if it is a location to get the tools into.

But if it is to far broken to fix and it becomes a safety issue, than replace it. the only person who will know is you if you don't tell anyone else. even in the world of restored cars being called original, they have replaced parts even reproductions parts. to me if you fix and or replace parts as long as they are "real" cub cadet parts (new or Used) I would consider it original.