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View Full Version : Why Curved Windshields on Heavy Equipment?



GregLaROCHE
04-09-2023, 06:27 AM
Another way the consumer gets screwed.

https://youtube.com/shorts/UIuKZBpQjmM?feature=share

Screwbolts
04-09-2023, 10:15 AM
Another way the consumer gets screwed.

https://youtube.com/shorts/UIuKZBpQjmM?feature=share

Ignorance abounds! The curved glass allows better airflow around and over the glass helping to keep it clean of air born dust/dirt, and that is for better visibility! Even the slightest breeze will more easily flow past carrying debris with it instead of dead heading against a flat windshield depositing/dropping stuff/debris there on the flat glass. It is also very common for manufactures' to line the exhaust stack up with a corner post or center windshield post/divider so as to not block visibility. Many things are so self evident that very little common sense is needed/required to understand their purpose.

Yes it would also be far less expensive for the manufacture to use flat glass and put the exhaust stack in the most convenient location.

Why is you automobiles windshield and side windows not flat glass. Oh yes to have smother airflow to help keep them freer of road dirt.

Happy Easter,


Ken

Dusty Bannister
04-09-2023, 10:25 AM
Well shoot, I would have thought the curved glass would be stronger than the flat glass in the event some foreign object was projected at the operator. I guess an equipment operator might have more real world observations to sort that out.

CFE223
04-09-2023, 10:41 AM
Well to be honest, flat glass is a pain in the booty to make and meet federal regulations for optics and break. Curved glass is still a pain, but is still easier to mass produce and meet all the regulations. A curved laminated front glass, if not a fish bowl (over curved), is great for windshields. It helps retain people, while still fitting the visual aspects of the design. Also the stuff Screwbolts listed.


Chuck S.

gwpercle
04-09-2023, 01:10 PM
Why I don't go to You Tube for information .

You only get a small part of info and then the U-tubexpert goes on to give you some skewed view of the situation . In most cases there is lots more to the story but he doesn't go there .
In my mind that's deceiving ... show me both sides of a story .
Gary

farmbif
04-09-2023, 01:18 PM
I was guessing things like curved glass is done to make something more pleasing to the eye and manufacturers seem to have to change designs constantly so that older stuff is outdated and buyers have to keep upgrading to new models to keep up with the joneses.

GregLaROCHE
04-09-2023, 02:16 PM
Well you guys have convinced me of the merits of curved glass. I never knew all the pluses it could have for tractors and industrial vehicles. I learned something today. Thanks.

Winger Ed.
04-09-2023, 03:04 PM
Flat glass also tends to chip and break easier. The more and more vertical it is, the worse the effect.
Things that would just bounce off a curve hit the flat glass harder expending all their energy and are are prone to bust it.

ascast
04-09-2023, 03:17 PM
like water dams - curved is a lot stronger from the out side

DougGuy
04-09-2023, 03:59 PM
Much better visibility! The corner post and window frame creates a blind spot.

wddodge
04-09-2023, 04:13 PM
Another reason is that curved glass makes for a quieter cab. After spending a full day in a tractor cab, this becomes very important.

Denny

john.k
04-10-2023, 06:21 AM
I had a guy with a 12 ton Cat excavator clearing some very light scrub......the machine had the forestry guards,and yet he was crying (literally) that he was going to scratch the small curved glass in front of his feet ..over $1000 fitted......I ws paying $120 /hr cash in hand ,but he went away for lunch and didnt come back ........it was Christmas time,I couldnt get anyone else ,and next thing I knew the city council slapped a vegetation preservation order on me .......cost me something like $300,000 when I sold the land.

JRLesan
04-10-2023, 07:56 AM
He took his 12 ton excavator with him to lunch?