Auger assembly for harvesting machine

An auger assembly for transporting material for an agricultural work vehicle, comprising:

• an auger;
• and
• a housing arrangement having an interior that houses the auger such that rotation of the auger within the housing arrangement is configured to transport the material through the housing arrangement, the housing arrangement comprising:
• a series of tube portions including at least a first tube portion having a first end, a second end, an inner surface, an outer surface, and a first thickness between the inner surface and the outer surface, wherein the first tube portion is formed from high-strength steel;
• and
• at least one mounting flange structure, including a first mounting flange structure having an axial portion with an inner surface disposed about the first tube portion and secured to the outer surface of the first tube portion by a first laser weld and a radial section extending from the axial section, wherein the axial section of the first mounting flange structure has a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness of the first tube portion, and wherein the first laser weld extends from the inner surface of the first tube portion, through the thickness of the first tube portion, through the outer surface of the first tube portion, and through the inner surface of the axial portion of the first mounting flange structure.