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.

 

[ray66v]

A simple fix for plastic parts at home is, buy a gas tank repair kit from NAPA, or one of the other chain auto parts stores. They all sell a version of the same thing. About $15

The kit includes, strong chemical resistant epoxy, fiberglass cloth, acid brush, and sandpaper.

To reattach something: Clean the area with solvent, and sand the repair area, leaving it rough and dull. Also clean and dull the part where your reattaching it.

These kits can also fix cracks, and tears, with a slightly different procedure.

Using a small butane, or regular sized propane torch, pass the flame over the repair area several times quickly. Your not trying to heat the plastic, just burning off any mold release agents that may be present. Use care not to melt, or ignite the part.

Cut the cloth to the proper size for your repair.

Mix the epoxy, and apply some of it to the repair area, and brush it out using the provided acid brush.

Place the broken off part into the wet epoxy, and apply more glue over the top of it.

Place the fiberglass cloth into the wet epoxy, and apply more epoxy over the cloth.

Spread the glue neatly with the brush. The glue sets in about 20 minutes, allow to harden over night.

If you do it right, it will work.

We used these kits to fix things for years in the body shop, back in the days before there were products made for repairing plastic parts.
If you ever need to repair a gas tank, they also make a great, fast, permanent repair.

 

[Nuru]

Another option is to see if a 3320 hood is available for cheap on eBay.

John Deere Hood 3120 3320 3520 3720 4120 4320 4520 4720 | eBay

 

[eddy622611]

The gas tank kit sounds like a great idea. My hood is in perfect shape. The only time you even notice is when you raise the hood and prop it open with the rod. I think it has been like this since new. I never noticed that the brace had come loose until recently. It should be an easy fix with the proper adhesive. Thanks, Brian

 

[Pipestone Kid]

If the adhesive doesn't work, maybe a couple of chrome plated bolts?