preventing stone windshield rock chips

[WinterDeere]

I'll probably eventually get some flat Caterpillar glass made too. I don't expect it to be too expensive.

Curved glass on tractors and construction equipment has apparently become a major headache for commercial buyers in construction and farm fleet equipment. Glass is forever getting broken in those applications, and now replacement cost has gone from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars.

It does seem stupid... no one is targeting better fuel efficiency through aerodynamics on a tractor or excavator.

 

[chim]

When I spent over an hour traveling each way to work, it was usually on the PA turnpike or Rts 81, 80, 322 etc. In Winter it doesn't matter how you try to maintain space. "Traction material" gets kicked up by all the vehicles. Being 30 carlengths behind another vehicle only means that there's a line of other vehicles passing you while kicking up the saltwater/grit mixture.

On highways where there are Jersey barriers in lieu of expanses of grass or woods, approaching vehicles toss stuff at you. Years ago I was heading East on PA283 and a truck coming West plowed through a patch of stone-filled slush and threw it over the Jersey barrier. Made an awful splat, but the glass was fine. When I got to Lancaster and stopped at a traffic light I noticed steam coming up in front. No damage to the grille but one fin of the radiator had a nick. Did a temporary solder fix that lasted forever

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I didn't read through all 4 pages , so forgive me if this has already been said, but in Florida if you have full coverage insurance on your vehicle and your windshield is damaged for any reason , your insurance company is required to pay for it to be replaced in full at zero charge to you, no deductible. Do any other states insurance laws mandate this? Just curious.

 

[Jstpssng]

I swear it's getting worse each year. My wife's car is on it's third windshield (2022). We went on a road trip to Idaho when it was new... 3 rock chips before we got back! I asked the glass guy if the auto glass quality has changed: "No". His explination:

• Don't tailgate. Ha... my wife drives with the radar cruise on set on the longest distance. She doesnt tailgate.
• People are driving more than ever. Fair point.
• Road construction everywhere. Maybe.... idk.

Wish there was a solution... buy windshields in bulk!?!?

Edit: Googled it- auto glass is being made thinner is save weight for fuel efficiency. Also, more and more have designed in electronics and safety equipment... costs are skyrocketing.

I might add; more aerodynamic (sp?) design to increase fuel economy.

 

[rontaki]

I didn't read through all 4 pages , so forgive me if this has already been said, but in Florida if you have full coverage insurance on your vehicle and your windshield is damaged for any reason , your insurance company is required to pay for it to be replaced in full at zero charge to you, no deductible. Do any other states insurance laws mandate this? Just curious.

Surely the costs of windshield replacement are factored into the rates they charge, no free lunch or glass.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

Surely the costs of windshield replacement are factored into the rates they charge, no free lunch or glass.

Can't speak about that, but I do know if you have full coverage they are required by law to replace the windshield at no charge and no deductible. No full coverage, no free windshield replacement.

 

[RayIN]

Mom had a crack that spread across her windshield this summer. She blamed it on the heat, but there was a tiny chip at the origin... and then the heat probably took over. The chip was down by the windshield wipers, and would have been easy to miss if there wasn't a big crack to follow back.

I haven't tried crazy glue, but there are windshield repair kits that are awfully cheap compared to a new windshield. Perhaps just some type of "super glue".

I don't know how long of a crack they'll repair, but if your entire crack fits within a quarter, it is worth trying them out.

The sealant choice is not primary. The primary thing for making a successful chip repair is the vacuum machine, and sealant insertion method must be integrated.
The machine pulls maximum vacuum, then that valve is closed and the sealant valve is opened. This pull the sealant into the crack/chip and fills all voids.

 

[1 Old Man]

Can't speak about that, but I do know if you have full coverage they are required by law to replace the windshield at no charge and no deductible. No full coverage, no free windshield replacement.

I have full coverage. Still a $500 deductible. Tx insurance. Insurance wise....nothing
is free here.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a $1000 deductible but that's my choice to keep my rates low. Although I am thinking about going to Liability/Comprehensive only. My last at fault crash was in 1984, and my rates are getting ridiculous.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

I have full coverage. Still a $500 deductible. Tx insurance. Insurance wise....nothing
is free here.

Unfortunately for me the only time I ever had a busted windshield was on a 1997 GMC hunting truck that I didn't carry full coverage on, so no free windshield for me, I payed for it out of my pocket and didn't even go through insurance.