Plastic hoods and fenders instead of steel ones

[EuroYanmar]

I am very perplex about the advantages or drawbaks of plastic instead of steel in hoods and fenders manufacturing.
Deere plastic is very thick and seem of good quality.
For us here corosion is a big concern.
I was thinking that plastic parts would keep my tractor tidier as they will never rust.
For example I own an 250 hours US made road legal Kubota RTV900 and the rust is everywhere.

What is your opinion about plastic hoods and fenders ?

Phil

 

[kennyd]

JD has been using it for many many years, and in my opinion it holds up very well.

 

[Patches]

It seems to fade more quickly than paint on metal, if left in direct sun light, and is prone to warp (perhaps too harsh a term) deform as well

 

[Katahdin]

The more I deal with fixing rust on my other steel equipment, the more I like my Yanmar's plastic hood and fenders.

 

[ssls6]

My 13 year old JD4700 has most of the plastic cracking. It gets brittle with age. Not the rear fender plastic but the hood, side panels, cowl, & grill.

 

[bigtiller]

It seems to fade more quickly than paint on metal, if left in direct sun light, and is prone to warp (perhaps too harsh a term) deform as well

You know,,, I have often wondered about that. I am partially color blind so sometimes a gator that has been setting around for a while at the dealers lot looks pink to me. I've learned not to say anything because the guy will just look at me like maybe I am pink.

 

[DT86]

For example I own an 250 hours US made road legal Kubota RTV900 and the rust is everywhere.

What is your opinion about plastic hoods and fenders ?

Phil

Well Phil,

I find it interesting that while discussing plastic hoods and fenders that you bring up the RTV being rusty. I find this interesting because the RTV also has plastic fenders and hood, no rust there.

 

[EuroYanmar]

Well Phil,

I find it interesting that while discussing plastic hoods and fenders that you bring up the RTV being rusty. I find this interesting because the RTV also has plastic fenders and hood, no rust there.

Yes DT36, I maintain that Kubota paint job is of very bad quality !
Of course I am not speaking about RTV hoods and fenders.
I am speaking about its ROPS, its metal roof, its winshield frame, its front guard, bed frame, everypart of the vehicle which is steel with paint coating rust very fast.
For me its a question of preparation of the steel before painting.
What is sure is that there no comparison possible between a regular car paint and a RTV900 paint.
But.......I like my RTV 900 and it is of huge help for me. Everything is perfect on this vehicle except paint and changing gear under load (for example on a steep slope).
Phil

 

[EuroYanmar]

I see some of us like very much the plastic and some no.
From a purely mechanical point of view it looks very thick and strong.
I have noticed too that it is coloured in its thickness not only on surface.
But only guys who own a tractor for a long time can describe the fading of the colour.

Rust or brightness of colour...we must choose.

Phil

 

[EuroYanmar]

The more I deal with fixing rust on my other steel equipment, the more I like my Yanmar's plastic hood and fenders.

Katahdin,

How is the plastic on the US Yanmar ? Thick ? I am asking this because at the begining of 2014 a new 40 HP Yanmar will be imported in EC.
I don't know which one (US model, Japan model, global model...). I think it could be one of the US models.
Since Cub Cadet and Yanmar are separated have'nt US Yanmar been discontinued ?

Phil