3320 Hood Repair

[eddy622611]

When I raise the hood on my 05 3320, it twists because one of the support braces broke free from the underside of the hood. What type of plastic is it made from? Can it be glued back together with epoxy? Any suggestions? Thanks, Brian

 

[beenthere]

Might be worth a try.

I'd lay in a few layers of fiberglass cloth too, and try to broaden the area of contact to add strength. Roughing up the plastic to get a good epozy bond seems critical to success.

 

[strum456]

There are a lot of different types of plastic. You need to find out what it is, and the appropriate repair methods. I don't know anything about your speciffic tractor, but almost all plastic has an abbreviation molded into it indicating what it is. Look for two or three letters and start your research. I'd say there is a good chance it is pp, but who knows. Keep in mind, some plastics have mold release impregnated into them, and cannot be glued or painted with out the correct adhesion promoter.

 

[buck12]

I have repaired the hood on my JD gt 235 using two part plastic epoxy and strips of plastic on the under side of the hood. It has held well for several years. The key to this method is to use a grinder or rough sand paper to rough up all surfaced to be glued. My hood doesn't look perfect but it's a lawn mower after all. I am glad my tractor is metal.

 

[eddy622611]

My hood is made from three seperate panels, two side panels and the hood panel. The supports look like they where welded(melted) to the outer panels.Nothing is damaged on my hood , just one of the weld/glue points broke free. The others are holding fine. Any ideas on how John Deere welds/glues at the factory. My dealer said the panels can be bought seperately,but had no listing for any type of glue. Thanks, Brian

 

[Pipestone Kid]

Talk to a body shop. They can tell you what to use.

 

[strum456]

Talk to a body shop. They can tell you what to use.

When you talk to the body shop, they will need to know what kind of plastic it is. Look on the back of it for a series of two or three letters.

 

[Pipestone Kid]

When you talk to the body shop, they will need to know what kind of plastic it is. Look on the back of it for a series of two or three letters.

Good point! I should have referred to your earlier post PK

 

[eddy622611]

I can't find any markings on the hood,and I looked in the operator's manual. Still don't know what type of plastic thease hoods are made from. Thanks, Brian

 

[strum456]

I can't find any markings on the hood,and I looked in the operator's manual. Still don't know what type of plastic thease hoods are made from. Thanks, Brian

It will not be in your manual. Look on the inside of the plastic. A lot of times, it is on an edge or a flange where the plastic meets another piece or where something bolts on. I can't think of any plastic I've seen that doesn't have the markings, its just a matter of finding it.

Another test you can do: See if the piece that broke off floats. If it does foat in water, it will definitely need special repair procedures.