Chloe Zhang
John Deere tractor hoods are made of plastic, which is prone to damage and can be costly to replace. Many owners have complained about the quality of the plastic hoods, which are prone to cracking and shattering, leaving sharp edges. While some have attempted repairs with fiberglass kits or adhesives like Gorilla Glue, others have expressed a desire for metal hoods or alternative materials that can withstand the heat of the engine. The high cost of replacement hoods has led to dissatisfaction among customers, with some questioning the use of plastic instead of steel. Despite the concerns, John Deere continues to use plastic for their tractor hoods, and owners seek affordable solutions to fix the frequent damage to these parts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic Type | Polycarbonate, GE-made plastic, fiberglass |
| Durability | Prone to damage from impact, sunlight, and heat |
| Repair | Can be repaired using plastic welding kits, fiberglass kits, or adhesives like Gorilla Glue |
| Cost | Replacement costs are high |
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What You'll Learn
John Deere hoods are made from polycarbonate plastic
John Deere tractor hoods are made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate. While some users have complained about the hoods being prone to cracking and shattering, others have praised the use of plastic for its resistance to rust, corrosion, and rattling.
Polycarbonate is a type of plastic known for its toughness and impact resistance. It is commonly used in applications where durability and toughness are required, such as tractor hoods. While polycarbonate provides a better margin of heat resistance compared to other plastics, it is still susceptible to damage from impacts and thermal cycles over time.
John Deere tractor hoods made from polycarbonate plastic offer some advantages over metal hoods. Plastic hoods are lighter in weight, which can improve fuel efficiency and handling. They are also more flexible, which can help with impact resistance. Additionally, plastic tractor hoods do not rust or corrode, which can be a common issue with metal hoods.
However, one of the main disadvantages of polycarbonate plastic John Deere tractor hoods is their propensity for cracking and shattering. This can be a costly issue, as replacing these parts can be expensive. Some users have reported that the plastic hoods on their John Deere tractors have cracked or shattered, posing safety hazards and requiring replacement.
To address the issue of cracking, some users have resorted to repairing their John Deere tractor hoods using adhesive or welding kits. These repair methods can be effective in fixing cracks and broken pieces, but they may not provide a long-term solution. Additionally, the use of adhesives or welding techniques may not always result in an aesthetically pleasing repair.
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This plastic is prone to damage and costly to replace
John Deere tractor hoods are made of polycarbonate plastic, a very rigid type of plastic that becomes brittle and breaks easily when cold. The vibrations and bumps from the mower, as well as the heat from the engine, can also cause the plastic to become more brittle and prone to damage. This makes the hoods susceptible to cracks and shattering, which can be dangerous due to the sharp edges left behind.
The cost of replacing these plastic hoods can be quite high, leading some people to consider alternative options such as aftermarket metal hoods or different tractor brands. However, the demand for aftermarket hoods may not be sufficient to justify the high setup costs. As a result, some owners choose to repair their cracked John Deere hoods using welding kits or fiberglass, which can reinforce the hood and make it more sturdy, despite not being aesthetically pleasing.
The plastic used in John Deere hoods has been a source of frustration for some customers, who feel that the company is taking advantage of them by selling expensive replacement parts that are prone to damage. Some have suggested that John Deere should incorporate more impact-resistant materials, such as thermoplastic rubber pellets, into their hoods to improve durability.
While John Deere hoods made of polycarbonate plastic offer advantages to the manufacturer, they can be a source of frustration for owners due to their susceptibility to damage and the high cost of replacement. This has led to creative repair solutions and considerations of alternative options to avoid the expense of frequent hood replacements.
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Repair options include welding kits, glue, and tape
Repair options for plastic John Deere hoods include welding kits, glue, and tape. Here is some information about these repair methods:
Welding Kits
Welding kits can be used to repair broken or cracked plastic pieces. A plastic welding kit and plastic welder are the two main tools required for this method.
Glue
The type of glue required depends on the type of plastic that needs repairing. For instance, poly cement such as Loctite Plastic Bonder is suitable for polystyrenes, while Loctite Plastics Bonding System, a two-part cyanoacrylate adhesive, is better suited for harder plastics. Loctite® super glues or epoxies can also be used to repair plastic items.
Tape
Plastic repair tape, duct tape, and gorilla tape are some options available for repairing plastic.
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Some owners prefer steel or fiberglass hoods
Some owners prefer steel or fibreglass hoods over the plastic hoods that come with John Deere tractors. Plastic hoods are prone to damage and can be costly to replace. They can also be difficult to repair, although some owners have used fibreglass cloth and epoxy to fix cracks and holes.
Older models of John Deere tractors featured fibreglass hoods, which were easier to repair than the newer plastic ones. Fibreglass hoods can be reinforced with resin, cloth, and bondo, although some owners have found that fibreglass resin does not bond as well to plastic as to other materials. Another option for reinforcing plastic hoods is to use SMC resin, which is designed for use with moulding processes.
Steel hoods are also favoured by some owners, although they have their own drawbacks. Steel would be heavier than plastic and more expensive to stamp into the compound curved shapes used by John Deere. Steel hoods would also be prone to rust if the paint were scratched, and dents and creases would be harder to fix.
Some owners have expressed frustration with the use of plastic hoods on John Deere tractors, believing that the company prioritises profit over the quality and durability of its products. Plastic hoods are more likely to crack and shatter than steel or fibreglass ones, and they can be dangerous when they break, leaving sharp edges.
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Heat resistance is a factor in hood material selection
Heat resistance is a crucial factor in hood material selection. The hood of a vehicle is exposed to significant heat from the engine, which can cause warping, melting, or deformation of the hood material over time if it is not adequately heat-resistant. Additionally, the sun's radiation can also contribute to the deterioration of the hood material, especially in hot and humid climates.
Various materials are available for hood construction, each with its own heat resistance properties. Mild steel, for example, is a traditional material for building fume cupboards, but it has corrosion issues and a high carbon footprint. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is commonly used in radioactive applications and cleanrooms due to its ease of decontamination, but it is less common due to its chemical vulnerability and cost.
Polypropylene is another option that offers greater chemical resistance than some contemporary materials and is used in cleanrooms. However, it is less heat resistant than other materials. For exterior construction, powder coatings made from epoxy or plastics like polyvinyl chloride can be used, offering some level of heat resistance.
In the case of John Deere tractor hoods, the use of plastic has been a point of contention among customers. Plastic hoods are prone to damage from impacts, and repairs or replacements can be costly. Some users have reported cracking and shattering of their plastic John Deere hoods, posing safety hazards. The sun's UV radiation can also cause plastic hoods to degrade over time, as evidenced by a 20-year-old Kubota hood that showed signs of sun damage.
To mitigate the issue of heat resistance and improve the durability of plastic hoods, John Deere has started incorporating more rubber into their hoods, making them more impact-resistant. Additionally, some tractor owners have resorted to repairing cracks with fiberglass kits or using thermoplastic rubber, which is strong and flexible, to extend the lifespan of their hoods.
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Frequently asked questions
John Deere hoods are made of plastic, specifically polycarbonate. Some users have complained about the quality of the plastic, saying that it is prone to damage and can be costly to replace.
One possible reason is that the plastic used for utility trailers may not be able to withstand the heat of the engine compartment. Another reason could be cosmetic, as the hood is a visible part of the tractor.
There are several ways to repair a cracked John Deere plastic hood. Some people have used a fiberglass kit from auto stores, while others have used a plastic welder and green plastic rods. Another option is to use an adhesive or glue, such as Gorilla Glue, which has been reported to work well for repairing plastic hoods.
