Canopy Roll cage & new steel roof for my DK40SE

[MotorSeven]

Since I tore the plastic sunshade off last year, I thought it was about time to weld something up that won't rip off when I bounce off trees. I used 2x2x 3/8's square tubing & built a roll cage. I need 2 grade 5 bolts to attach it in the front & put the finish coat of paint on.
I am having a piece of diamond plate cut 48X72 for the roof. They will roll 3" of the edge down the length on both sides. This should stand up to my normal tractor abuse pattern.

RD

 

[MotorSeven]

& the next thing I am adding is a radio......cutting hay gets really boring.....must.....have.....tunes!

 

[IslandTractor]

Looks great. I've always wanted to have the same thing on mine but haven't managed to rip off my plastic sunshade yet. I'd especially like those front posts to push tree branches away. Tired of getting whacked in the face.

Post some photos once you get the diamond plate set up.

 

[MotorSeven]

I picked up the 4x8x1/8" inch tread plate steel today.....$160. I then drove from one end of town to the other in search of a place that could break the long edges for me. The last and 5th place is a mfg of commercial building ladders & landings. The guy said " no problem" so I had them shear the sheet at 78" then break the two long sides down 2". It took them 10 min the guy only charged me $20. I then realized I could have bought the steel from him since he had stacks of the stuff & alot cheaper :thumbsup:
It's in the paint shop today, & hopefully gets mounted tomorrow:

BTW, Rustoleum "Dark Machine Grey" is just a tad too light to match the Kioti grey. Yes, I am rattle canning it because I am in a hurry.

RD

 

[Dmace]

Nice! That's going to look like a tank when it's done. :thumbsup:

 

[IslandTractor]

Yes, I am rattle canning it because I am in a hurry.

RD

I didn't know there was any other way to paint tractor parts. Rustoleum would be fine with me. Would you prefer a two part polyurethane base/gloss coat? Perhaps a shimmering metalic grey color chosen from the Mercedes catalog?:laughing:

 

[MotorSeven]

Ha, no but Rustoleum thru a real paint gun is much much better as far as coverage and finish go. It's also a ton cheaper to buy the gallon size at Home Desperate that the rattle cans. But, time is one thing that seems to be dwindling the older I get......I swear someone has been deducting a few seconds more off each day since I turned 40...........

Oh, and since I know have a decent source of 1/8 inch plate, a belly pan is definitaly in order!

 

[Egon]

That is a nice looking project. :thumbsup:

 

[MarkV]

Great looking project. Both of my tractors are Kubota TLB models with a FOPS, falling object protection system, and it has saved me a number of times in the woods from widow makers.

You might want to consider some type of sound deadening material for the underside of the canopy. I think you will find that the tractor sounds louder with a top on it.

MarkV

 

[MotorSeven]

You might want to consider some type of sound deadening material for the underside of the canopy. I think you will find that the tractor sounds louder with a top on it.

MarkV

That's odd....on my way home yesterday I was thinking the exact same thing & was pondering which material to use. Styrofoam, closed cell, some kind of wrap material...........

RD