Steel or plastic roof?

[Notforhire]

I intend on getting a glass windshield and roof for my RTV900.
Kubota makes both steel and plastic roofs.
Any opinions on which is better and why? Noise, durability?

It needs to be compatible with a soft enclosure/doors, etc. that I may add later.

This vehicle is used primarily for work.

Thanks.

 

[ArlyA]

Plastic (HDPE or ABS) is all we've ever used and never had a problem with it. For a roof, I'd say its a superior product. Seems that plastic are better at absorbing sound than steel is. You can glue some of that sound barrier closed cell foam to whatever you get.

 

[CobyRupert]

Pros and cons to both I'd guess.

Weight vs. strength, noise, fix-ability (dents vs. chips/cracks), UV (sun) resistance vs. rust resistance, etc...

Sun makes plastic brittle over time. Is it stored out of the sun?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a plastic vaccume formed roof on my MULE. It's not very straight and true, but then doesn't dent either.

 

[ArlyA]

Black HDPE is quite UV resilient.. That or black ABS is what I'd used. Plastic Lumber Capabilities – Resco Plastics, Inc.

Pros and cons to both I'd guess.

Weight vs. strength, noise, fix-ability (dents vs. chips/cracks), UV (sun) resistance vs. rust resistance, etc...

Sun makes plastic brittle over time. Is it stored out of the sun?

 

[Notforhire]

I have no idea what kind of plastic Kubota uses on their tops.
I do store the machine indoors.

I'm leaning towards metal mostly because I could repair/repaint it if necessary.

 

[Eddie1955]

I intend on getting a glass windshield and roof for my RTV900.
Kubota makes both steel and plastic roofs.
Any opinions on which is better and why? Noise, durability?

It needs to be compatible with a soft enclosure/doors, etc. that I may add later.

This vehicle is used primarily for work.

Thanks.

The one you didn't mention is the diamond plate aluminum top sold as aftermarket canopy. Looks very durable and much easier to fix dents plus lightweight compared to steel and also gives you the ability to mount lights or other things to it without breaking it.

 

[HillStreet]

My Polaris UTV has a molded plastic roof. It fits well, is secure, no noise, no dents.

 

[ArlyA]

Here are 5 lights mounted on a plastic roof. 6 years later and many, many branches pushed away with the guards, they are still there and never been repaired. How can we improve on this design??.

 

[Eddie1955]

Here are 5 lights mounted on a plastic roof. 6 years later and many, many branches pushed away with the guards, they are still there and never been repaired. How can we improve on this design??.

Looks like a great design Arly, no complaints. Being here in Fl the rate at which plastic detiorates pretty fast and becomes brittle, I am sure there are probably excellent plastics out there but I liked the looks of the aluminum. I would thought the temps there would have made plastic brittle

 

[Notforhire]

The one you didn't mention is the diamond plate aluminum top sold as aftermarket canopy.

It needs to be compatible with a soft enclosure/doors, etc. that I may add later./QUOTE]

I read in an ad for an aluminum top, that it wasn't compatible with an OEM windshield.

Other than the compatibility issue, I like the aluminum.
Repair would be an issue for me since I can't weld aluminum.

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

I use golf cart roof and yep it's some form/type of plastic. I've moved it from a BX2370 to the RTV500 and there are some holes where I had used u bolts to mount it to the tractor but have attached it to the RV with heavy duty zip ties so morte tiny holes with no concern or worry. I can put decals or tiny metal plates over any holes. Sun degradation........I doubt that in under 20 to 30 years. Golf carts about all use plastic and they have them every where.
I've bought many tops from Kubota dealer and don't think any of them were made by Kubota even though some of them were Kubota orange. Dealer bought from different independant sources/providers and costs varied.
I never boufght one to go on a machine with a cab, no cab buyer. Live in Ky, not exactly a extreme weather state other than sun on my head/face. Stay in when it's cold cold.

 

[Notforhire]

Pros and cons to both I'd guess.

Weight vs. strength, noise, fix-ability (dents vs. chips/cracks)

I noticed on Messick's site that they list the weights for the plastic roof @45 lbs and the steel @88 lbs. That sounds pretty high for either one. Shipping weight, maybe?
No matter, that's still a substantial weight difference. I really didn't think there would be that big a spread.