Thread: Lets See The Transport havn a Oops moment

Whoops. Just slid on the ride on mower on wet grass - straight into the side of the lean too. $400 for a new upper shroud thank you very much Brandt (John Deere part).

Prick of a design to be fair, the bonnet is made from a polycarbonate cast plastic which in the cold goes brittle as hell. One tap, and it shatters like glass!!! Didn't help that my cheap crappy boot slid forward and hit the forward pedal when I stopped on the side of the lean too - but by then the damage was done.

I looked at getting one in from overseas, much much cheaper but by the time you added freight costs it was dearer than buying from the distributor in NZ.

Originally Posted by No.3

Whoops. Just slid on the ride on mower on wet grass - straight into the side of the lean too. $400 for a new upper shroud thank you very much Brandt (John Deere part).

Prick of a design to be fair, the bonnet is made from a polycarbonate cast plastic which in the cold goes brittle as hell. One tap, and it shatters like glass!!! Didn't help that my cheap crappy boot slid forward and hit the forward pedal when I stopped on the side of the lean too - but by then the damage was done.

I looked at getting one in from overseas, much much cheaper but by the time you added freight costs it was dearer than buying from the distributor in NZ.

I made some light chains for a friends ride-on. She loved them.

Originally Posted by No good names left

I made some light chains for a friends ride-on. She loved them.

Be a good idea, except a bit rough on the concrete areas we have to cross...

I'm not actually that pissy about it as the missus dropped a swing on it a few years back and I've glued it up once already. No real loss in all honesty - the only function it serves is a cooling air directing plate and a noise baffle. If it cost me $400 every year to keep the thing going in maintenance for the work it does it's not that expensive. 100+ hours a year at a guess, so it's done almost 2000 hours so far. That's more than it was designed to do, and it's actually so mechanically not that bad a nick. Will keep it going until the transmission shits itself I think (what seems to kill these models).

Originally Posted by No.3

Whoops. Just slid on the ride on mower on wet grass - straight into the side of the lean too. $400 for a new upper shroud thank you very much Brandt (John Deere part).

Prick of a design to be fair, the bonnet is made from a polycarbonate cast plastic which in the cold goes brittle as hell. One tap, and it shatters like glass!!! Didn't help that my cheap crappy boot slid forward and hit the forward pedal when I stopped on the side of the lean too - but by then the damage was done.

I looked at getting one in from overseas, much much cheaper but by the time you added freight costs it was dearer than buying from the distributor in NZ.

Mate who services these had to source a new bonnet for one....The customer wanted a servic on his 6 month old mower and learnt that you put them on trailers facing forward rather than back them on....

Originally Posted by timattalon

Mate who services these had to source a new bonnet for one....The customer wanted a servic on his 6 month old mower and learnt that you put them on trailers facing forward rather than back them on....

I stick mine on the trailer both ways, not sure what the problem is with facing forwards? Having said that, my ramps are quite long so no issue with grounding the front or back whichever way it rolls on.

Originally Posted by No.3

I stick mine on the trailer both ways, not sure what the problem is with facing forwards? Having said that, my ramps are quite long so no issue with grounding the front or back whichever way it rolls on.

Does the bonet hinge from the front ? It'll make a good air brake if it's a little loose

Originally Posted by No good names left

Does the bonet hinge from the front ? It'll make a good air brake if it's a little loose

Similar to people moving toploading washing machines and forgetting to tape the lid down

Originally Posted by No good names left

Does the bonet hinge from the front ? It'll make a good air brake if it's a little loose

Ahhhh - that would make sense. My bonnet is very well locked down, and fits in behind the steering - whatever you call that bit, maybe column housing? Doubt it would catch the air enough to flick up and it hasn't in the past for me, but a good point to raise. I'll make a point of securing it down in future.

Originally Posted by No.3

Ahhhh - that would make sense. My bonnet is very well locked down, and fits in behind the steering - whatever you call that bit, maybe column housing? Doubt it would catch the air enough to flick up and it hasn't in the past for me, but a good point to raise. I'll make a point of securing it down in future.

At the speed limit, the hinge point is not strong enough to remain intct if the wind catches it if it is facing rearwards...On the fellows trip home he found the shattered remains of what once was a new John Deere ride on bonnet lesst than 2km from his gate.....Facing forwards the wind hold is closed and the whole problem dissapears instead of the bonnet.

Originally Posted by No good names left

Does the bonet hinge from the front ? It'll make a good air brake if it's a little loose

Sorry- wont stay attached long enough to be an airbrake.....