Manual hood rod vs gas struts, TC 55

[joes_427_vette]

I was spoiled with the 45 DA and the gas hood struts. Now I have the new TC 55 with the 1952 Packard manual hood rod. I am under the hood frequently and this "lack of" feature aggravates a sore spot. Soon as I scratch my head and figure an alternative it will be changed. The only problem I see is grafting a metal support on the sheet molded plastic and the possibility of a stress crack caused by vibration. ( some people are sure picky )

 

[IH3444]

Got the same "beef" with my TC48DA "deluxe" tractor.
Plus no swivel seat on the "deluxe" models TC48DA, and TC55DA. Couple of sore spots with NH. On the good points though, I've hammered the FEL in the shale pit, and no loader cracks, , and the front axle hasn't broken yet. All in all, I believe I made an excellent choice. The sloped down loaders on the NHs, OH-LA-LA......sweeeeeeet!

 

[TCBoomer]

Use epoxy to bond the bracket to the hood. The gas strut itself will absorb any vibration, so cracking shouldn't be an issue.

 

[joes_427_vette]

Got the same "beef" with my TC48DA "deluxe" tractor.
Plus no swivel seat on the "deluxe" models TC48DA, and TC55DA. Couple of sore spots with NH.

I haven't taken enough seat time to notice.... They deleted my swivel seat too ???????? I really used that feature with the box blade or any rear mounted attachments for that matter. This will require another brainstorm to see if it can be converted easily. I made sure they included the turbo and the big tires. The frame size is perfect.
The adhesive a local body shop uses to bond fiberglass panels on vettes is $60. a tube. TC; I figure if the metal mount is formed correctly and bonded in place it can only make the hood stronger. I will have to visit the dealer and get a few snapshots of the 45s brackets. I wonder why they deleted these items. They certainly didn't cut the cost of the tractor.

 

[Doc_Bob]

My TN70A utility tractor has a gas strut for the hood! Nothing deluxe about my tractor, except the gas strut.
Bob

 

[IH3444]

One other thing is that my neighbor's TC35 has valve stem guards on his front rims, mine has none. Just another "DELUXE" feature for the TC48/55 series by New Holland. Man do those NH engineers know how to add those bells and whistle's to the "DELUXE" line of machines or what! Wow, they think of everything.......

 

[BTDT]

Why not use springs (like the old screen door closing kind)? With hood closed, spring tension would hold it closed, but when raised up past a certain point, spring tension would hold it open.

 

[Zoombah]

How deluxe is the price of those gas struts when they quit working? Now that could be a real annoyance.

 

[PineRidge]

I think that visiting a local bone-yard might be in order. Gas struts from a lot of hatchbacks should come rather cheap and be a good alternative than a NH part #.

 

[AndyMA]

I think the reason the TC55 doesn't have gas struts is because of it's 2120 heritage. I've used a 2120 since 1987 and although gas struts would be nice, I would prefer things like easier access to the battery.

Andy