JD Plastic Hood

[kjung17]

Bet you anything it is a 4300 or in that series. I spent about $350 a couple of years ago for one at the John Deere dealership. Doesn't include anything but the hood, no gaskets, hinges or anything. Couldn't figure out how to attach the gas cap with parts provided.

I just ordered a new grill and left side panel for my 4300 on Ebay as well to the tune of $276. Nothing but the plastic, have to transfer the other parts from the old parts, ie screens, headlights.

John Deere Junk with a premium price.

i bought the tractor new in 2000. I didn't drop anything on it. Actually I think it is just rotted due to exposure since it wasn't always stored inside.

The hood went first, replaced that. Now the grill locks and the plastic on bottom of the grill are broken, the left side panel is broken. Ordered the replacement grill and side panel off Ebay, not delivered yet. The cowling is cracked, the latch broke off the fuse box door in the cowling. Seems like very poor quality material for name like John Deere. Don't believe they would selling replacement parts on Ebay if this wasn't a major problem. Metal can be painted if it gets weathered and dents repaired for a few bucks. Plastic is shot when it breaks.

On top of that, a bearing in the hydraulics broke under 500 hours. Took out the hydraulic pumps. John Deere wouldn't pay the bill. after much discussion by the dealer, they finally furnished parts, I still had an $1800 labor bill with discount. The electronic fuel pump went out. the HST transmission will now hardly pull itself up a small hill while mowing the yard.

The dealer switched to Kubota due partly to these problems.

I'm going with Kioti now. Wish I could afford a new one since they have 4yr warranty. At least the metal is good on the 2000 model I just bought, no rust even.

I see lots of those little tractors. The plastic rarely breaks on it's own. There is usually some abuse or operator error. You mentioned the bearing failure at 500 hrs, but failed to mention how old the tractor was at the time of failure. I suspect there is more to both stories.

 

[jandlcars]

son en law bumped a tree
that started it
the son is rough on them also

 

[pennwalk]

The plastic definitely gets brittle as it ages especially if it is left outdoors. If you care about looks bite the bullet and replace the hood. You might find a parts machine that still has whole plastic if you are willing to take some time. I have been wondering about alternatives. I have a GT275 that we are using to haul firewood. All the plastic is gone. It would be silly to replace it. It really needs hd metal body panels. Also I found a orange scotts hood at auction for $3 It seems to fit but I haven't gotten around to putting it together.

Chris

 

[buck12]

I see lots of those little tractors. The plastic rarely breaks on it's own. There is usually some abuse or operator error. You mentioned the bearing failure at 500 hrs, but failed to mention how old the tractor was at the time of failure. I suspect there is more to both stories.

It may not break on its own but it sure breaks easy. I have JD GT235 and have repaired the plastic a few times. I have a friend that is a JD mechanic and he said he sees a lot of broke plastic. I much prefer the metal on my Mahindra and I have repaired a dent in it. The plastic hoods just seem flimsy.

 

[pennwalk]

I was over at a friends house yesterday. He was showing me Lawn and Garden collector magazine. There was an ad for an outfit that makes fiberglass replacement hoods. I guess they are for the older tractors and we were guessing that they are licensed by JD. I'd still rather have metal.

Chris

 

[kjung17]

It may not break on its own but it sure breaks easy. I have JD GT235 and have repaired the plastic a few times. I have a friend that is a JD mechanic and he said he sees a lot of broke plastic. I much prefer the metal on my Mahindra and I have repaired a dent in it. The plastic hoods just seem flimsy.

We may have different definitions of "easy". I generally don't work on the little machines, anymore, but today I got stuck working on an X300 with 2.3 hrs on it (not even a full tank of fuel). The hood is not broken, but is badly scratched and the deck was bent so bad that the left hand blade was digging up 1/2 inch of dirt!! The owner did not want to buy a new deck, so they paid me 2 and 1/2 hours of shop time to straighten it out. The deck will cut ok, but it will never be right. City folks buy these little machines and think they have a bulldozer.:confused2:

 

[jandlcars]

I was over at a friends house yesterday. He was showing me Lawn and Garden collector magazine. There was an ad for an outfit that makes fiberglass replacement hoods. I guess they are for the older tractors and we were guessing that they are licensed by JD. I'd still rather have metal.

Chris

looked it up and they are for 110 modle

 

[jandlcars]

is any one in NW Florida with a hood it copy