arrabil
Veteran Member
Howdy. Anyone know if the handles on the fenders are solid plastic? Or are they hollow? I want to drill two holes in them. Anyone see anything wrong with that? Thanks!
Are The Fender Handles Solid?
- Thread starter arrabil
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beenthere
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No. Tell us how it works and what your project looks like when through. 
mjncad
Super Member
I suspect they are solid. Pull one off to gauge the weight of it in your hand or weigh it on a postal scale.
beenthere
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I think mine are hollow. When I squeeze them hard, they seem to give some.
bud4410
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hi arrabil, on my new 3520 the handles are hollow. i just drilled a hole in one to mount a mirror. however they do not look exactly like the handle in your picture. i bought a spare from jd in case i screwed mine up. it only cost $5. hope this helps..............bud
beenthere
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If they turn out to be hollow, and not seemingly strong enough to support the 1/4" (?) bolts through it, I'd consider cutting the handle in two, then shaping a piece of wood (oak for me) to insert into the hollow handle. Glue the wood into the handle and let it set while back on the fender.
Then drill the bolt holes through the wood and the handle to give it much more support. Maybe during the off season, just switch off with a new handle when the blower isn't hooked up.
Then drill the bolt holes through the wood and the handle to give it much more support. Maybe during the off season, just switch off with a new handle when the blower isn't hooked up.
RoyJackson
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My 790's handles are solid. You probably don't need to remove them to determine that. Look for a parting line seam which should run full length of the grab handle.
To make them hollow when molding, there would have to be some kind of core in the mold (to keep the plastic out). Then, that core would have to be removed. The only way I can see that being done is by molding two halves and gluing those halves together. That would add cost. Deere doesn't like adding cost.
The attaching studs are probably molded right into the handle, btw.
Now, the grab handles on the 4200-4400 tractors are quite a bit longer then the handles on the 790, but you should have a good idea of what to look for.
To make them hollow when molding, there would have to be some kind of core in the mold (to keep the plastic out). Then, that core would have to be removed. The only way I can see that being done is by molding two halves and gluing those halves together. That would add cost. Deere doesn't like adding cost.
The attaching studs are probably molded right into the handle, btw.
Now, the grab handles on the 4200-4400 tractors are quite a bit longer then the handles on the 790, but you should have a good idea of what to look for.
Yep Bud, that does help.
Beenthere, both good ideas (wood and blower specific handle). My main concern was standing water in the handle not the strength of it though. I figured if it was hollow I might find another way to mount the controls instead of filling it with RTV.
Mine didn't feel hollow when I squeezed it but I'm gonna do what Roy is suggesting. Tomorrow though. I'm done working for the day...
