Fuel for the fire...plastic vs metal

[blackdog2086]

This is a totally non scientific test which does nothing but hopefully entertain you for a few minutes. The guy is primarily a Deere dealer but sells others as well and doesn't let bias enter into the video.

TORTURE TEST: METAL OR PLASTIC? JOHN DEERE VS KUBOTA - YouTube

 

[Deere Dude]

Remind me to not drive over my tractor hood with a 100 HP tractor.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's all about the quality and suitibility of plastic. I am impressed with the quality of some of the plastic on my JD. Other areas, near the peddles that got kicked in the cold, just broke!

 

[cqaigy2]

You can fix that Kubota hood right up, just a few taps with a hammer and off you go.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sure, tappy, tap, tap. Maybe not so easy. Some panels have stiffening members underneith.

 

[cqaigy2]

Sure, tappy, tap, tap. Maybe not so easy. Some panels have stiffening members underneith.

Those just take a bigger tap.

 

[s219]

When the plastic cracked on my old Deere, it left sharp jagged edges that were dangerous to be around. No thanks!

 

[rademamj1]

I don't have a problem with plastic hoods, or even metal hoods. But I will say, that his little stunt was unnecessary and certainly was biased. For longevity of equipment where you may intend ownership of that tractor for 15 to 20 years, you really want metal engine hoods....for longevity. His little stunt did nothing to evaluate the impact of 20 years of UV damage on plastic. I for one wish JD would go back to metal, and charge the customer accordingly.

 

[buck12]

I did not watch all the video but I have real world experience as the owner of a John Deere gt 235 and a Kubota 5460. I also owned a Mahindra 2615 for 12 years. My plastic hood on the JD has been repaired multiple times and is currently cracked beyond repair. To open the JD hood I have to lean over and basically hug and lift from both sides. If you lift using the hand hole in the center of the hood I end with a triangle piece of plastic in my hand and the hood is still closed.

I damaged the hood on my Kubota using my grapple and I straightened it 95 percent with lineman pliers wrapped in tape. I bought the Mahindra used with a dent in the hood. I took the hood off placed towels on a workbench and used a rubber mallet to knock the dent out then a little spray paint and it looked almost perfect.

I use my JD on our 1.5 acre town lot and have cracked it multiple times while I use the Kubota and previously the Mahindra at our remote property where they are used in woods and to do much heavier work. I use my equipment and from my experience metal hoods work much better for my uses. Plastic hoods and fenders are why I do not own a JD tractor. While I would really like to have had a JD tractor because they are an American company and that is what Granddaddy had, I know from experience metal hoods hold up better for me.

The JD has been a great mower other the cheap hood and break pedal should not be located on the same side as the HST pedals.

 

[grsthegreat]

i had to replace the plastic part on my JD870 at least 3 times when it broke in winter by some snow hitting it. once its cold and a few years old...its a gonner. part was over $100 as i recall, and black. you had to paint it yourself. never looked right.