Plastic vs Steel

JohnMiller3 · May 30, 2003

...60 year machines... 

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif How long do you think today's unit churning @ 3200 rpm's will last... versus yesteryear's units that worked @ 1600 rpm all day long...?

icat · May 30, 2003

Plastics and electronics will certainly decrease the life expectance unless extreme care is taken. I think the "older" tractors will be around long after the newer units fancy displays have failed. Having said that, I couldn't resist the "lure" of the dash on my L3130 - what can I say, I'm a product of the computer age. I did go ahead and buy the electronics manual though - figured I'd need it sooner or later.

While we're on the subject of steel and plastics. I began my new "tractor search" where most everyone else does - the Deere dealership. I didn't much mind the plastic, but I really noticed the way the cockpit step-up gave under my weight - and it's steel! Now I'm no light weght, might even say I'm a pretty big guy. But I really felt the step was a bit under supported on the unit I climbed into. To me, the NH and the Kubota steps were a bit stronger.

Anonymous Poster · May 30, 2003

Guys, I just bought a new NH TC35 and I've got about 10-15 hrs on it... just a babe in the woods....

Now, to do this, I had to sell my Ford 1948 8N (which I owned about 3 yrs) ... A marvel of a machine, both for it's simplicity and it's ability to be a wonder ahead of it's time (a virtual pioneer in 3pt technology /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif)....

I can only say one thing... If I don't get 56 years out of this machine, I'm asking for a refund /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif!!!

In all seriousness, if you live long enough to see these beasts actually die (assuming you are one who takes care of your equipment), you indoubtedly replace or change a number of different parts on them. The manufacturers are, for all intensive purposes, the same now as they were then. Trying to make a better tractor for a better price, and always trying out new technology.

What's important to me today? That my little beast performs to my expectations and doesn't break down....

Now, one last parting thought. I was out bush hoggin' the other day.... I sure as heck miss my 8N already... .Not sure how to describe it but that low profile old tractor was simple, easy to manuever, and dependable. .... could it be I just need to be assimilated by my new TC35??? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

TresCrows · May 31, 2003

I didn't realize your tractor turned so fast? I generally run about 2200/2400 on my 2410. In any case, despite popular belief, most engine wear occurs during engine start and certain other circumstances. The electronics, easy enough to hijink or repair, the plastic, yep it will be gone. J

40Kchicks · May 31, 2003

I immediately headed for a pile of snow and ice that was in the corner of the lot. I filled the bucket with the frozen mixture and lifted it all the way up. When the bucket reached the top of its cycle, a basketball piece of ice rolled off the back of the bucket and landed squarely on the "plastic" hood of my 4110! 

This reminds me of the first time I ever drove a skid steer. I raised a load of gravel over my head and half of it rained down on me. Luckly it had a cab. My wife did the same thing. Seems this experience is fairly common when first raising a fel.
Eric

Soundguy · Jun 5, 2003

Just my .02.. but I like metal.. at least I can do some decent body work on metal.. not sure how easy a plastic repair would be...

As everyone pointed out, there are tradeoffs either way.

One thing I thought interesting was another material... fiberglass.. I've seen some for the asian tractors with fg hoods, etc..

Might be a happy inbetween area... fg can be repaired as easilly as metal.. but has many of the desirable properties of the plastic.

Soundguy

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2003

There is all different grades of plastic,where I work we just finished making plastic ,we make about 17000 to 19000 lbs an hour,24 hours a day an 7 days a week,I think it costs around a $1.00 a pound,this stuff is so tough when we clean after a type change a 10000 lb water truck can spend 12 hours trying to clean a container out about the size of a 50 gallon drum,rubber can be added to plastic to give it its flexibility.
I can guarantee you a piece of this plastic would last years and years

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2003

I have yet to see a plastic that sunshine won't degrade. Some types hold up better than others but...

Soundguy · Jun 5, 2003

I have actually seen some pretty uv resistant / sun resistant plastics.. usually in the polycarbonate / optical quality.. area.. but then.. those are not the type for industrial tractor hoods.. good strength.. but no give..

Soundguy

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2003

Soundguy,
Yeah uv "resistant" but not "proof" the sun seems to eventually get to them all. Plastic has its uses especially in wearout disposable items like TV's, electronics and stuff like that. I do not consider tractors to be disposable though.

markie61 · Jun 5, 2003

I've seen paint degrade (my Dad's '80 Camaro, for one) in less than 3-4 years in the sunshine to a point where it no longer protects the metal from rusting.

I guess nothing is forever......not even tractors..... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Mark

r0GuE · Jun 5, 2003

( ...60 year machines... 

/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif How long do you think today's unit churning @ 3200 rpm's will last... versus yesteryear's units that worked @ 1600 rpm all day long...? )

That depends on usage. If you are a professional farmer,... not 60 years. But I will say that a new Honda Civic (model example chosen for technology, not point of origin) running at perhaps 2500RPM Ave will last a heck of a lot longer than a 72 Plymouth V8 running at 1500.

Anonymous Poster · Jun 5, 2003

I am not saying all plastic's will not degrade in sunlight,etc..but there is plastics that is extremely strong,stronger than metals,sun will degrade some plastics,but metal will rust.
One of the worst cases of plastic degrading in the sunlight I have seen is "Dare fence insulators"
I will take plastic plumbing over copper plumbing anyday.

JohnMiller3 · Jun 5, 2003

OK Rogue… So which do you think will last longer… ?

a 2003 Massey Ferguson GC2300 with an Iseki diesel pumping 18.7 PTO hp @ 2600 RPM …

or a 2003 Kubota BX2200 with a Kubota diesel putting out 16.7 PTO hp @ 3200 RPM…?
/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

BillyP · Jun 5, 2003

Plastic or steel huh? If you were talking about 'days gone by' metal parts, I'd say steel. The metal you see on CUTs, it's a toss up.

TresCrows · Jun 6, 2003

OK Rogue… So which do you think will last longer… ?

a 2003 Massey Ferguson GC2300 with an Iseki diesel pumping 18.7 PTO hp @ 2600 RPM …

or a 2003 Kubota BX2200 with a Kubota diesel putting out 16.7 PTO hp @ 3200 RPM…?

I doubt there would be much difference under normal use and if there is it will not be the RPM difference as minor as it is but instead some other factor such as material choice and engineering that would be the real determining factor.
There have been similar threads, the plastic guys rationlize their plastic and the metal guys rationalize their metal. One thing Kubota, MF and JD all have though is they are powered by engines built in Asia. I figure the Iseki engine and the Kubota engine and the Yanamar engine will likely outlast the plastic they are attached too. The Yanamar JD even has a plastic floorboard-yuk. J

cowboydoc · Jun 6, 2003

Well just to break this up a little. I was moving trees for a fenceline last night. One of them stuck in the ground flipped up and landed smack on the hood. I saw it coming and thought man this hood is going to be shattered. It was a 12" tree. It landed with bang and I saw the plastic flex and that was it. It's scratched some but I can't believe it didn't break. Now if they would just build my dang fenders on my Gator out of the same material. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jun 6, 2003

I broke mine last winter....I had my bucket loaded with several bundle of shingles and raised them up to the roof and tilted the bucket back too far....glad my insurance covered it.

normde2001 · Jun 6, 2003

Mark, it sounds like your NH is probably made out of PVC, and from what I can see that stuff is bulletproof. I see PVC fences in my S. Fla. neighborhood that are 20 years old and still look brand new. I'll take that over steel sheet any day.

banjobj · Jun 6, 2003

My vote would be steel. I have learned alot from all the posts on this subject. I did have a problem when I took off some of the dealer decals on my NH hood. It left what looks like scratches. Since it sounds like the color is all the way thru the plasic ,I think I will try lightly polishing them out.