4300 Hood

wrede · May 23, 2011

Perhaps this has been discussed before, but didn't find it. My 4300 hood is cracking around the fuel tank door, and more seriously in the hood latch area. The metal latch components are attached to a molded in "bracket", and there is now a crack extending the full width of the latch area, on the rearward side. A new hood is probably very expensive, and if it's the same design, won't fix anything. I don't know what plastic the hood is made of, but was wondering if anyone has made a good repair for this. Would fiberglass/polyester auto body repair material stick well to the hood. I'm thinking I could remove the hood, clean and roughen the affected area, and put in a wide band of reinforcing around the latch area, on the underside.

beenthere · May 23, 2011

I haven't had any hood cracking on my 4300, but if/when I will visit my Deere dealer to ask about it. Never know if there is a recall/replacement on them.

I've had a large tree limb drop across mine (thankfully missed me) but can't tell it except for a slight scratch. It was right ahead of the fuel door.

The way the hood lifts and locks in place is not good for people who just grab it and pull down thinking it is held up like a car hood like the old days. So when people do that, it does put some terrific forces on the hinge area.

fuseboxer · May 23, 2011

I am sure many people in the bump and paint trade have good ideas. I only know what i did to some plastic parts with cracks. I went to a plastic mfg in the industrial area not too far away and purchase some thin scrap lexon to attach inside with JB weld. Some cracks I found that I had some two part epoxy style putty, clear, (some are white) and used that with and sometimes with out the lexan. Lexan is what is available for bulletproff glass. Thin it is somewhat flexable and offered support. My used and abused 4410 Deere was used in assisting with 40 horses that were borded. Several barns, two arena's, outside pens, etc. It never had a front loader, could use one if I ever find one for about 3000. used. New 300cx is 4059. complete. uninstalled.
My new baby Deere was abused and all the plastic pannels had cracks. I hope the fluids/filters were changed. It is still a work in progress. I am waiting for several parts, should be in tomarrow. I did put on a new front plastic, ebay purchase. All my plastic has cracks, my Deere is at its retirement home, we are both retired.

RoyJackson · May 23, 2011

You can find hoods on eBay for $250-$350. I don't know if that includes hardware or decals.

I lower the hood by hand (not dropped), then a slight push to latch it. Also, don't forget to release the "hold open" catch before you lower it.