[rydplrs]

I wouldn’t go used, it’s just a brittle as the junk your replacing even if it’s not cracked yet.

As for longevity, flip hasn’t been offering these nearly long enough to know if they will last 20+ years before getting brittle.

 

[rydplrs]

I wouldn't be surprised that they are running at least some of these parts in their own factory in Texas. Their facility is about 50,000 sq feet in size and they are a relatively new company.

While I would certainly prefer to have parts made in the USA, basically, in this global economy, we have to accept that there are nations who offer lower cost labor opportunities and they could be the source of these parts as well. My personal opinion is that as long as the parts don't come from China, I am happy. I am very happy when they can be made in America......

Unlike some other companies selling parts which are 100% made in China and shipped by the container load to the U.S. and then drop shipped with their offices being in someone's house in a residential neighborhood, Flip has the U.S. located and based facilities to support the actual manufacturing of the products they sell.

As I stated in the earlier review, I have ordered from them before and was very pleased with the part, its fit and operation. I plan on ordering from them again as I am buying a new hood and side panels for my 455. From Deere, that would be a $1,000 purchase. From Flip, its about $400 which is much more realistic and appropriate for the complexity of the parts they are selling. Here is an aerial look at their main facility in Greenville, Texas.

View attachment 748014

Injection molding isn’t labor intensive. The reduced labor in China is easily balanced by shipping cost, even in bulk.

 

[rydplrs]

I received the flip mfg 455 hood and one side panel. The quality looks good, but the fit isn’t impressive. The hood is at the end of its adjustment, and should actually slide further for a little better fit.

I also have one for an lx188 on the way, I’ll let you know how that turns out.

 

[rydplrs]

I adjusted the front hood support and the 455 is better, but there’s still room for improvement.

The lx188 hood is generally ok. The factory hinge bolts did dimple the outside though.

 

[rydplrs]

I’m losing faith in flip,

First try for a 455 left side panel was lost.

Second try was broken.

3rd try was another right side panel

I just asked them to overnight the correct one. The first one might not have been their fault, or it might have been returned to them due to damage in transit. The second is definitely their fault as the use extremely poor packaging. The 3rd one is also their fault for not looking first before shipping.

This tractor has been sitting otherwise ready for sale for 2 weeks since the first shipment arrived.

 

[rydplrs]

They did second day shipping with a different carrier. It arrived intact even if the box was missing the end, and there was a pre paid label to return the extra right panel. I used the 3 layers of bubble wrap and 2 boxes to send it back. Hopefully it makes it.

 

[rydplrs]

Playing let’s make a deal was successful for the next LX188 kit. Since they were out of grills the put together a new package of just the upper and lower hood. Used grills fetch enough on eBay that I would have replaced everything if possible, but this is still better then trying to move it with a free floating hood.