Canopy/Sunshade - Aluminum or Fiberglass?

[crowbar032]

I've decided I want a canopy to mount on my JD 5065E. I use the tractor bushhogging in some areas with low limbs and am worried about cracking a fiberglass canopy/sunshade. I'm leaning towards aluminum, but they seem harder to find. I'm not opposed to fiberglass, but I'd hate to drop $500+shipping just to have a limb fly back and crack the fiberglass into a million pieces. Pro's, con's, experiences?

 

[SPYDERLK]

Aluminum bends. Fiberglass is pretty strong and tuf. Too much and it will crush and crack in an area but still return to shape and maintain strength. I have damaged my fiberglas one several times and havnt done any fixing. You cant tell it without a close look. Cracks do not migrate because of the reinforcing fibers.
larry

 

[Industrial Toys]

I was considering a canopy as well. My Dad once backed our JD 6200 into a tree. I saw the plastic fender deflect quite substantially and then all but returned to original condition. Curious if a canopy could be found made of that plastic.

I just hate the look of banged up, abused equipment!

 

[newbury]

Like Larry said -

Metal bends. My absent minded son drove my M4700 into a low branch



If you look at the front left corner of the canopy you can see the bend which we have to get out. Fiberglass would have shattered.

 

[/pine]

FWIW...fiberglass w/polyester or epoxy will not "crack the fiberglass into a million pieces"...
...in fact, most "fiberglass" products that have been damaged can be repaired to back to original results for much less than something that will never look the same (as new)...

 

[murphy1244]

I was considering a canopy as well. My Dad once backed our JD 6200 into a tree. I saw the plastic fender deflect quite substantially and then all but returned to original condition. Curious if a canopy could be found made of that plastic.

I just hate the look of banged up, abused equipment!

Just bought a Femco plastic top. called tuff top.

 

[k0ua]

I have a steel one. Like it pretty well, I haven't torn it up yet. I have hit quite a few small limbs, no damage, but a big one sure would wad it up.

Wells Ag Company - Tractor Canopies

 

[coobie]

I have a steel one. Like it pretty well, I haven't torn it up yet. I have hit quite a few small limbs, no damage, but a big one sure would wad it up.

Wells Ag Company - Tractor Canopies

DITTO on the wells ag brand.Had one on my 2008 Kioti tractor.One of the best on the market IMHO.

 

[crowbar032]

FWIW...fiberglass w/polyester or epoxy will not "crack the fiberglass into a million pieces"...
...in fact, most "fiberglass" products that have been damaged can be repaired to back to original results for much less than something that will never look the same (as new)...

True, I was being a little over the top. However I do not posess the skills to repair fiberglass. I can however work a hammer to straighten steel or aluminum up enough to be satisfactory.

Just bought a Femco plastic top. called tuff top.

Ohhhh, didn't know I could get plastic. I sent them an e-mail. Maybe more affordable in both price and shipping.

I have a steel one. Like it pretty well, I haven't torn it up yet. I have hit quite a few small limbs, no damage, but a big one sure would wad it up.

Wells Ag Company - Tractor Canopies

DITTO on the wells ag brand.Had one on my 2008 Kioti tractor.One of the best on the market IMHO.

They appear to sell through dealers only. I've sent an e-mail to see if there is any dealer support in my area.

 

[k0ua]

I paid $198 for the Wells AG steel canopy. I bought it at the dealers during the initial purchase.. They said this was dealer cost. I don't know.

 

[ericb2400]

I put one of these on my b2400 a couple of years ago. It has made contact with several trees and still does its job. The only drawback is I cannot trailer the tractor with the top on. at least not over 35mph. but it is easy to remove.
Femco TuffTop Canopy

 

[bigbull338]

i talked to my dealer about adding the canopy.an they said the fiberglass canopys wont h up at all.an to order a steel canopy.the steel 1s cost $400 or a tad over unless they went up.

 

[bigtiller]

I had one on my jd 2305 and hated it. It did not have any sound insulation on the under side and it made the tractor seam much louder while driving it. It made it seam so loud that I couldn't enjoy putting around the yard or a trip to the mail box. I took it off after a couple weeks and sold it.

 

[AchingBack]

I've decided I want a canopy to mount on my JD 5065E. I use the tractor bushhogging in some areas with low limbs and am worried about cracking a fiberglass canopy/sunshade. I'm leaning towards aluminum, but they seem harder to find. I'm not opposed to fiberglass, but I'd hate to drop $500+shipping just to have a limb fly back and crack the fiberglass into a million pieces. Pro's, con's, experiences?

crowbar, I don't think you can go wrong with a canopy from Bare-Co. I've scrapped a number of tree limbs with mine, and see absolutely no damage. They are light, and strong. I paid $300 for the standard size. One for your size tractor would probably run more. Bare Co USA - BARE-Co Senior Canopy

 

[terryknight]

I cannot trailer the tractor with the top on. at least not over 35mph. but it is easy to remove.

OP - i have nothing to add since i have no experience, but instead of starting new thread i m hoping to piggy back on yours. i mow a lot of field's pastures in the summer and do lot of work in and around trees all year long. i would like a canopy in the summer mowing, but want to be able to remove it by myself easily (unbolting several bolt is easy, lift 300lbs of steel is not), and what about towing t highway speeds ~65mph how much vibration is there? maybe i'd be better off with a piece of PVC and an umbrella

 

[crowbar032]

I'm also finding that sizes are all over the place on these things too. I'm leaning towards a plastic one right now due to size/weight/pricing. I'm just wondering if 48"x52" will provide enough coverage. Of course something is better than the nothing I have now.

 

[Travelover]

I thought the home made one someone posted here, made from an old road sign was the cat's pajamas. I have noticed that my local metal recycler often has old road signs.

 

[k0ua]

Some notes on the Wells Ag model. I would guess it weighs less than 100 lbs. It has a layer of sound deadening materiel on the underside. I didn't think the tractor was any louder than without it. It took about 2 weeks for it to come in so I ran the tractor without it for that time period. But I would not want to be taking it on and off, as it is a two man job, unless you have some kind of hoist or fixture to hold it while you line it up straight and get the bolts tightened. you could probably trailer it backwards so the wind did not catch it and rip it off. Or you could fashion forward supports to the steel angle iron frame up front down to your FEL lift mounts. In fact there are holes in those mounting posts on the Kioti already. I could probably fashion some supports for transport out of some 1/2 or 3/4 EMT with the ends smashed with a hammer pretty quickly. Drill 2 1/4 inch holes in the canopy frame and fasten with some bolts and nuts, and the whole project would probably take 30 minutes to put on and 3 minutes to take off once you arrived at your destination. Or just leave it on for that matter.

 

[ericb2400]

OP - i have nothing to add since i have no experience, but instead of starting new thread i m hoping to piggy back on yours. i mow a lot of field's pastures in the summer and do lot of work in and around trees all year long. i would like a canopy in the summer mowing, but want to be able to remove it by myself easily (unbolting several bolt is easy, lift 300lbs of steel is not), and what about towing t highway speeds ~65mph how much vibration is there? maybe i'd be better off with a piece of PVC and an umbrella

the one I have is very easy to remove, 4 hand nuts and it comes right off. It is light. I can carry it with one hand, but it takes 2 to wiggle it off the mount. Like I say light weight, and easy to handle

 

[Industrial Toys]

"it made the tractor seam much louder while driving it" QUOTE,

Ah, the laws of unintended consequences. My Cushman Canopy has sound deadening material on the underside. But I would never run that thing without hearing protection anyway, so it's a moot point!

You can buy that stuff, and I have to for another project, but it is expensive. Plus it really gets dusty!