Plastic vs Steel

looch · May 29, 2003

The true benefits of each will only be visible in about 20 years from now. The rust argument doesn't hold water /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif , seeing as how the rest of the machine is made of steel. And, Florida may be humid, but it snows up here.

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

( Perhaps this is just semantics, but are we discussing plastic or fiberglass? )

Plastic--excluding fiberglass--was my impression. Fiberglass is a form of fiber reinforced plastic (generally using polyester or vinylester resins). Except for color, it holds up very well in the sun. Witness all those "clorox bottles" bobbing at anchor in Fla.

It is also pretty expensive stuff, since it generally is labor intensive.

I would have no problem with tractor parts being made of fiberglass, since it is something I can repair and refinish myself. Plus it's tuff stuff too, when made right.

SnowRidge

Anonymous Poster · May 29, 2003

Bird,
I had a Plymouth with plastic pistons in the front calipers. Both swelled and locked up at about 75,000 miles. I replaced them with steel pistons and had no more problems. Dumped the car at 225,000 miles. Plastic is temporary....
Tractors should last.

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

Like Bird said, there's plastic and then there's plastic. How many of the folks who don't like plastic drive Saturns? Or any of the crop of new SUV's with plastic panels? Chevy Avalanche? None of these degrade in Florida sun as far as I can see. The plastic that degrades in Florida tends to be of the milk bottle variety.

Some of the NH TC models have plastic. I was disappointed that my TC18 is mostly steel. I scratched the hood the first time I tried to lift something with a chain on the FEL and it swung into the hood, and it rusted until the dealer was kind enough to spot it in (free) at the 50 hour service. Then, I carelessly ground some welds near it, forgetting it was steel, and there are some pits coming up. I'm going to have to sand and completely repaint the hood soon, and it's only 2 months old.

I've lived in Florida for the past 31 years, and by far prefer plastic. Plastic drums and garbage cans hold up; metal ones fall apart. Plastic Rubbermade sheds hold up; metal ones rust apart. There are hundreds of examples. Plastic depends on the composition; metal depends on paint.

All that said, if someone came out with an aluminum-bodied tractor, I'd be first in line.

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

( The true benefits of each will only be visible in about 20 years from now. The rust argument doesn't hold water /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif , seeing as how the rest of the machine is made of steel. And, Florida may be humid, but it snows up here. )

I agree that only time will tell. However, there is a vast difference between the heavy steel of frames, etc. and light guage sheet metal. As far as comparing Florida humidity with snow, the comparison is valid when you throw ice-fighting salt into the mixture. But, no one who has not lived in tropical South Florida can truly understand the corrosive nature of heat and humidity and salt-laden air.

You can always tell an older Florida car - it rusts from the top down instead of from the bottom up like Northern cars.

CSAW · May 30, 2003

Don you beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing about sheet metal vs cast parts. I live about 1 1/2 miles from the ocean and about a mile from salt water river. Unless you keep a car or tractor inside a garage it will get wet almost every night even if under a carport. I drive an old pickup that I leave outside, it has vents on the dash that blow forced air only when moving. If I don't close those vents at night my truck will get wet on the insde over night.

The people who live in the condos on the beach here have to replace their air conditioners every 1 to 2 years because the rust and corrode to pieces. My house has aluminum eaves about 18 years old and they are corroded and will replaced soon along with the roof. I agree you have to live here to understand.

 You can always tell an older Florida car - it rusts from the top down instead of from the bottom up like Northern cars.

 This is so true you can tell a northern car from a Florida car from a distance.

r0GuE · May 30, 2003

I may waver to ones argument that plastic will "hold up" (a generic term since it may perform better in one respect and worse in another... very subjective). However; there is absolutely no way that those plastic parts cost more than metal. Plastic has a lot of good properties to be sure. I personally don't believe that plastic lends itself to outdoor use or heavy equipment applications but I see that this point can be argued. But I can guarantee that a given plastic part is cheaper than its metal counterpart several fold. From the original raw material, to the stamping / molding process, to the fact that it does not need to be painted, to the ease of handling so that it is not scratched at the factory, to the lighter weight in handling and shipping. I absolutely reject the notion that the manufacturers have selected parts to be replaced with plastic because they are looking for more performance out of those parts. Why is it the higher up the models lines you go, the less plastic you see. That fact says it all to me.
I like plastic to a degree on cars,... being from Western PA. ... The salt capital of the world, it is nice to not have every part of your car blistering from rust after one year. But cars (in my opinion), are 10 year machines at best. Tractors are 20 - 60 year machines.

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

Rogue,
I agree with you tractors should be 20-60 year machines. However I think the tractor manufacturers are making them more like a 10 year machine so they can sell more thus more profits. And guess who pays for those increased profits ? US!

TresCrows · May 30, 2003

I see no reason new compacts should not last many years. They will, however, be minus all that plastic but we can cobble up some plywood hoods and 2X4 fenders and maybe a nice redwood floor. J

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

Good point on the wood fixup /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif It might not so well in an antique tractor show though, but well on the Beverly Hillbillys /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
However the electronics might be another long term issue, and have to push it to the show /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The simpler they are the easier they are to keep running.