2550

[JSharp]

JSharp:

AFAIK, Simplicity still uses metal hoods on their mowers--at least on their Conquest, Prestige, and Legacy machines. I replaced my 2554 with a MF 2823 (equivalent to a Simplicity Prestige) and it has a metal hood as did the MF 2700 series and 2900 series machines I checked out before I bought. Mine was a new leftover 2006 model when I bought it in March 07, so the hood material could have changed since then, but that is my experience with Simplicity (and their clones).

Cub still uses a metal hood on the 3000 series too. All of the things we're mentioned here are $5K-$10K mowers though. I'm not aware of anything cheaper that uses metal. The lower end Simplicity mopdels appear to be plastic.

It's a silly argument anyway. My neighbors 455 JD has plastic parts everywhere and it was over $11,000 new. For that matter, $100,000+ tractors have "plastic" hoods now...

 

[2manyrocks]

KKLH92 started this thread asking if he'd be satisfied with this machine. The first post gave him favorable information, but didn't mention the issue with the melting hood and exhaust temperatures that are being actively posted about in the other threads.

Whether the fault lies in the air ducting, the muffler size, the latch assembly on the hood, or the engineering or materials used in the hood, KLH92 would have good reason to be miffed if he spends $3,000 and the hood melts or falls off.

Plastic is fine for baby bottles, but I don't want it on my power equipment.

 

[JTKub]

KKLH92 started this thread asking if he'd be satisfied with this machine. The first post gave him favorable information ...

Right, but there is also too many unknowns in regards to the OP's question. Satisfied as compared to what? What's the OP's expectations? How much is he/she willing to spend? Plastic hood or not, I guarantee they will be satisfied if they are comparing to putting a Murray, low end MTD or Sears machine through the paces. In the end, try to find a new LT/GT in the $3-4K range with a 'metal' hood. Not going to happen.

Joel

 

[JSharp]

In the end, try to find a new LT/GT in the $3-4K range with a 'metal' hood. Not going to happen.

Joel

You suppose if that's pointed out enough times it'll sink in?

 

[2manyrocks]

It would sink in pretty quickly at the manufacturer if people stopped buying the product until it was right.

 

[Baucom]

Personally, I would prefer a properly designed/engineered "plastic" hood to a metal hood on a mower. I have no complaints with the metal hood on my MF, as it is well built with a good design, but it is still somewhat more "noisy" than a plastic hood, can be dented, and will rust if it's scratched and not touched up. OTOH, the hood on dad's JD 345 is plastic, and though the mower is 6 yrs. old, the hood still looks like new. The hood doesn't rattle at all, can take minor impacts without denting, doesn't rust when scratched, and light scratches from shrubbery polish out easily with plastic polish. I don't believe anyone would argue that Cub did a good job designing the plastic hood on the 2500's, but the merits of a properly designed "plastic" hood can hold their own with the merits of a metal hood any day.