Does JD fiberglass/plastic hold up??

[tpost]

What is the reasoning of not using a tractor but will use stationary power equipment ? How come they won't use electric from a power company but will use a generator instead ? I know a guy that looked at purchasing an Amish farm and house,he told me inside they had a new wood stove installed and they removed the skin/exterior and all that was left was the wood burner with the basic shell without the protective outer sheetmetal. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[flwiii]

The material used by JD is called Xenoy. It is a polycarbonate blend with another type plastic. It is a very sturdy plastic with great strength in relation to weight. Honda uses it to make the deck of their push mowers, a lot of football helmets are being made from it, car body parts, and luggage. Some distributors claim that it is 5 times as strong as steel pound for pound.

 

[MowHoward]

Back to the original question. My experience is with my old (1996)stx lawn tractor that I currently drive around without a hood. They all crack and fall into little pieces. Virtually everyone who owns one of these has a hood cracking problem.. I am currently buying a new kubota (steel hood) and looked at the 2305 which is totally made out of plastic. I just cringe to think what will happen in a couple of years. My experience with the JD dealers is that they couldn't care less if you ever come back. JD knows about the plastic problem and will be glad to sell you a new hood for around $300. One of their hottest selling parts! My input- I wouldn't have another.
Mow

 

[unreconstructed]

My 5203 has metal fenders. New technology may be better, I don't know. I like the metal fenders. I like wood gunstocks, not plasti-whatever. Aesthetics maybe--or just an old dog who is too contrary to change. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif Whatever floats your boat, I figure, after all--you're the one paying the bill. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JDFANATIC]

Mow Howard,

Wow. There's a whole lot of angst going on here. I completely disagree with three blanket statements you made:

That the plastic hoods will crack in a few years.

-- and --

That Deere knows about a problem with their hoods and somehow puts up with it for financial gain.

-- and --

That Deere dealers couldn't care less if you come back.

IMHO (and experience), the plastic hoods are very good quality, are very durable, will resist scratching and denting much better than steel, and will fade less. On my 425, which I used for over 10 years, the plastic hood looked much better than the metal fenders and rear cowl (My 2210 now has a steel hood, but the rear fenders/cowl are made from plastic). Go figure. Anyway, plastic is the material of the future; even if you don't like it, get used to it. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

As for the claim that Deere knows of a problem with plastic hoods, that is a ridiculous statement. Sounds like a sales tool a competitor's salesman might have made.

And while Deere's dealer network can't control the customer service at each individual one, I, and many others, have had the exact opposite experience.

 

[daTeacha]

Tpost -- the Amish have a number of different "orders" or subgroups. Each then has what amounts to different parishes, and decisions as to what can and can't be used are made by the bishops and elders in each group. They have their own logic for explaining some exceptions to their rules, but it doesn't always make sense to someone who's "English". For example, some of them are allowed to have cell phones but not regular ones. Go figure.

 

[michiglenn]

I have two John Deeres with polymer hoods, and can vouch for impact resistance and toughness in all temperatures. My first one, a 1991 model, has some light scratches and mars from impacts and scrapes, but otherwise id in great condition. My 2004 model has had the hood nearly twisted off from a small sapling wedging underneath and then pulling out. It literally pulled the side of the cowl straight sideways for a foot before it yanked out, and there was no damage at all. I am a believer. When have you seen dents and dings in a Saturn? Same stuff.

 

[flwiii]

MowHoward:
I have a 2305 and the hood is metal, not Xenoy resin. The front shroud that holds the grill and lower side panels below the hood are Xenoy. The rear fenders are also Xenoy

As for the resin and fiber world (fiberglass & Kevlar) I have quite a lot of experience using them and I will vouch for their strength. I worked in the boat industry for over 20 years. If I'm planning on doing greater that 100 MPH on the water, I'm surely going to have a Kevlar carbon fiber hull beneath me.

Nothing is completely impervious to damage. All metal dents and all resins crack at some point.

 

[bigpete]

<font color="blue"> Does JD fiberglass/plastic hold up?? </font>

Ah'yup

 

[crazylare1]

mow, do you think that maybe the stx that you speak of has a cheaply made hood because that model was jd's answer to the walmart, tractor supply, etc. brands as a competitor to them? i have my fathers old 1982 jd 116 lawn mower with a composite hood, no cracks, a few scratches, no fading, and with a little wax maybe would look very nice. i've seen an worked on several newer model lawn tractors with all steel construction, rust, cracks, and severe fading. i guess that it's all about taking care of a piece of equipment and the proper use of such.
have a great day!
larry