(ET) Side discharge blocking plate for E20 deck

[CZ Unit <cz alembic crystel com>]

Drat. My rear discharge plate for my E20 broke awhile ago (the one that 
covers the side hole and provides all the strength to the deck). I 
welded up the crack the formed in the deck (Top and bottom) however the 
plate is too thin to weld with the elec-trak welder.

Question: Is there a way to reinforce that hole? The front wheel presses 
back and forth as you mow, and the rear bracket pushes up and down 
making this a pretty bad fatigue point. Anyone ever reinforced it?

C