GT 275

[tld]

JD GT 275

Like most others the hood is cracked and have to lift off and on. Are there any aftermarket dealers for hoods? 10 yrs old and still running strong. New hood would cost $200.

 

[Dale_Alan]

I have the GT235 and the hood is cracked on it also. I think 8 years old or so. We should be able to shove this piece of green plastic up John Deere's ___ for putting such crap on their tractors. I will not buy another because of it and it has probably been the best mower I have ever owned. My hood runs closer to $300. It is so aggravating and I can see no reason for it to crack.
Dale

 

[TedLaRue]

You don't say where the hood is cracked, but you might be able to repair it by using fiberclass "cloth" and resin (like they would use in a body shop) on the inside.

You can get the fiber class "coth" and the 2-part epoxy resin at AutoZone, PetBoys, Advanced Auto or NAPA or any local car parts place.

 

[tld]

Actually the hood is put together in 2 or 3 pieces. Mine is cracked on the bottom (where I nudged a tree). However, it can also happen from opening the hood to fast or just putting a little too much tension on the hood. JD dealer acknowledged it was a bad design and have improved the design....as he was trying to sell me a new one. It's just a bad design at the hood hinge area.

 

[Dale_Alan]

First mine cracked on the top so I got my fiberglass stuff out and repaired it and it has held although you cans see the cracks. Then it cracked where the upper and lower bolt together and I looked at it briefly and don't see how I could repair it at this point.
The mower even though in pretty good shape with 400 hours and a good deck is not worth much. With a busted hood it's not worth $100. So I have decided to run it till I have engine or transmission problems then junk it.
I take care of my stuff and it just drives me crazy to run equipment that needs obvious repair and looks bad. I wash and wax my mower and tractor. Call me insane but I get good service from my equipment and it looks good for someone who can afford an older used machine.
I have looked at the new models and they still have a plastic hood which is a deal breaker for me. John Deere lost a tractor sale when I bought a Kubota simply because the plastic hood on a mower left a very bad taste for the GREEN.
Dale

 

[tld]

Update:

Was lifting my hood on and off and dropped it. Top split into about 5 pieces. Bottom hinge broken too. I checked at the dealer today and top section is $245 and bottom is a little over $300. Grill and headlites are OK. Internet prices are about the same.

Looking at the cost effectiveness, used 275's are 1000 to 2000 dollars. Guess I will look for a junk 275 and hope the hood is in good shape.

This has been a good mower, just a junk plastic hood.

 

[artfull dodger]

Its almost impossible to find one of those tractors with a unbroken hood. Try upping your prices a bit, if you need both the top half and bottom half of the hood, last time I checked before selling my GT275 it was around $420 with shipping for a new hood with decals. The problem is this plastic is very brittle to start with and gets worse with heat and age. One reason I went away from Green stuff, along with high part prices overall. I tired a few other brands and settled on a late model Wheelhorse with an all metal hood, Kohler magnum 10hp engine and a stout frame. Good Luck finding a hood. Mike