4XXX series plastic vs. UV rays

[om21braz]

Anyone here with 1990's-2000's 4XXX series Deere's that leave their machines outside ? (I cannot imagine anyone would, but what if) How are the composite/plastic holding up to the effects of the sun over time ? Just curious as we all know what happens to most plastic after several years exposed. Speak up if this has already been hashed out and I'll delete it, but I could not find any mention of it - Thanks !

 

[SteveH_CT]

My Dad's neighbor is a YMCA camp in Southington CT, with a 4300 that is about 3 years old. They leave it out - It looks fine for something that doesn't receive great care. It's a good question to ask. I've seen several brands get real tired looking after a few years - but it's my observation that NH and Deere seem to look fine after several years. For me the plastic, or whatever it is exactly, is a great choice - it takes a good beating from falling trunks off the loader too (personal experience /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif).

Take Care,

 

[755inNY]

The plastic (fiberglass) hood on my JD 755 has spent 16 years outside (summer/fall/winter/spring) without any indication of rust. On the other hand, the metal fenders, platform and ROPS all show signs of surface rust where the paint has been scratched or worn. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[yellowsocks93]

My 4300 sat outside when it was waiting to find a new owner through the summer and snow and the hood and all plastic got faded. The black plastic was the worst as it turned somewhat white. The green hood was faded but a good 3M wax might have helped it out some. We also had a 4600 for 2 years on the lot and it had a faded and not as shiney as it was when it was new.

 

[BillyP]

I bought a JD 4600 in 1999 and sold it in 2002. Every day of it's life was spent outside in the weather. Looked almost as good when I sold it as it did when I bought it. I say almost cause it had a few scratches but nothing the sun or weather had done to it.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I LOVE the plastic!!

I LOVE the yellow seat!!!

I LOVE the electronics!!

I LOVE the analog guages!!

I LOVE the dual pedals!!

I LOVE the easy on off loader and hoe!!

I don't like _RaT_!!

just kidding on that last one... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[thebigc]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( For me the plastic, or whatever it is exactly, is a great choice - it takes a good beating from falling trunks off the loader too (personal experience /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif).

)</font>

I'll second that. While my metal hood and fenders might shine just a little brighter than the plastic, those dings and dents from a few errant pieces of firewood probably would have been avoided.

Donny

 

[cowboydoc]

For the most part my 4600 is outside. We park it out of the weather occassionally but for the most part it's going all day in the sun, rain, snow, etc. I will try and remember and take a pic of it for you. The green on it doesn't look faded at all. My seat is still in great condition and the black plastic looks fine too. I can't complain at all for a tractor with over 2000 hours on it and as hard as it has been worked.

 

[om21braz]

Thanks all for the info ya'll ! It's just I'm use to seeing plastic/etc. get brittle/crack with lots of sun exposure and age. Just weighing out the pro's/con's of metal vs. composite here as I'm still in a RUT deciding on a CUT.

 

[Soundguy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( but it's my observation that NH and Deere seem to look fine after several years )</font>

I agree. The blue shiny plastic ( which looks to be the same material as the green shiny plastic ) on my NH 1920 sat outside from 1997 to early 2000 ( previous owner used it to mow.. and left it in the pasture.. ).. From then till now I park it in the back of my horse barn. The tractor is sheltered from direct overhead and has some side protection.. though light does get in from the rear of the barn.. and on the vent spaces on the side... So far the only bad spots are skuff marks from work.

Soundguy

 

[rockyridgefarm]

I just checked my radar screen, why is there always a cloud over one spot in Minnesota?

 

[cowboydoc]

Yea it shows up on my radar too rockyridge. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[yellowsocks93]

Funny guys! but I probably am more picky than you guys. When a new garden tractor sits outside on our lot I can tell a difference in shine. I never said the 4300 was real faded but it did fade some and to me it was noticible. No go back and play with your Little Tikes plastic toy for crying out loud! Just kidding Rockyridge. Hey I owned a plastic JD and it was ok so it is not like I am making my observations of it up and what I thought of it!

 

[yellowsocks93]

Ah one more thing: When we have to get new rotary cutters ready for delivery or what not the metal has to be touched up quite a bit because it is easily scratched and rusted from sitting outside. Anything that sits outside will show wear metal or plastic. I have seen it. If you don't believe me go work for a Deere dealer.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Solar flares....

 

[slowrev]

Soundguy,
From my experience living in FL, if the plastic holds up to UV down there it will do good anywhere. Outdoor plastic stuff lasts 3-4 times longer in KY than in FL. The sunlight is very rough on plastics in FL, it must be the more direct angle from being closer to the equator.

 

[rockyridgefarm]

What about salt air. I seem to remember it does crazy things to metal, and doesn't touch the plastic...