Hard top canopy. Any suggestions?

[jake98]

I got mine from the JD dealer, cost a little more than the after market ones, even though I know Deere doesn't make it, it's well made and looks right, the only thing I don't like is how it makes it alot LOUDER!!! while in the seat.

I'm having a hard time envisioning what the canopies do for you other than make it louder...
I can see if there's light rain and no wind it would keep some of it off, or at high noon it would block the sun, but is it worth it? With a soft cab attached, it seems worthwhile, but by itself I don't know...

 

[SnowRidge]

Here's a pic of the Tel-Trax mounted on my Branson.

 

[PILOON]

Heck, why not make your own?

Any sheet metal fabricator could fold edges on suitable sized sheet of aluminum (for stiffness as well as to form a 'rain gutter'), could be made stylish by tapering the fold towards the front.
Attach to the rops using proper sized 'U shaped pipe clamps' available at most hardware stores. Rops would be wrapped with rubber 'tape' to prevent marring the rops and prevent slippage.
You would then want 2 struts from each vertical side of rops to support the weight of the shade, these would also be clamped in same way.
OR a triangle shaped 'side', say 12 x 16 with a 90 deg 1" flange at top that would be attached to rops vertical sides same way as top clamps.

Bet you'd get that all done for no more than $100 more or less!

Would look kinda like the Laurin

 

[SnowRidge]

I'm having a hard time envisioning what the canopies do for you other than make it louder...
I can see if there's light rain and no wind it would keep some of it off, or at high noon it would block the sun, but is it worth it? With a soft cab attached, it seems worthwhile, but by itself I don't know...

Mine is off right now. I have been clearing a wooded area, and the top gets in the way. Low branches and the top don't mix. Having used the tractor both ways, back to back, I definitely prefer having the top on. Yes, it is worth it to keep the rain and sun off. Obviously, wind driven rain and low angle sun will not be blocked, but it will provide protection for a lot of the time. It will also keep the bird droppings off the seat, if you park under an open shelter.

My canopy does not increase the noise. Tel-Trax inserts a foam pad between the frame and the fiberglass, which probably helps a lot.

 

[TomWhite]

I'm having a hard time envisioning what the canopies do for you other than make it louder...
I can see if there's light rain and no wind it would keep some of it off, or at high noon it would block the sun, but is it worth it? With a soft cab attached, it seems worthwhile, but by itself I don't know...

Part of what mine does is keep the sun off me when I'm running the hog out in the fields. I have one field in particular that takes a few hours to mow. It sure makes those hot mid-summer cutting days a lot nicer. It also helps keep rain or snow off my head.

It has also kept a couple fallings limbs off my head.

Yes, it was more than worth it to me.

 

[jake98]

It has also kept a couple fallings limbs off my head.

Yes, it was more than worth it to me.

I'm no fan of having things dropped on my head, I ram my head into something every time I wear a hat with a brim. I use my tractor in woods and wonder if I'd like it less not having the view upward.

On the other hand, I remember whilest clearing and burning, my father, one time had a tree with one end burning, rotating on top of the JD, as he was manuvering. A great sight that I'm glad didn't get 'burned' into my memory... or his either.

The backhoe has a metal top. Now I can't say it doesn't keep much out...

 

[jake98]

Here's a pic of the Tel-Trax mounted on my Branson.

That thing looks utterly useless. If you ever road a motorcycle, you'd realize it. I want one for the goldwing...

Jake

 

[SnowRidge]

That thing looks utterly useless. If you ever road a motorcycle, you'd realize it. I want one for the goldwing...

Jake

You do realize what you said makes no sense at all? What in the world do motorcycles have to do with tractor canopies? BTW, I have hundreds of thousands of miles on bikes.

 

[jake98]

You do realize what you said makes no sense at all? What in the world do motorcycles have to do with tractor canopies? /QUOTE]

Of course. Wind direction, rain speed. Hail, hail, the gang's all here.

What were you saying the topper does for you, again, if I might ask?

 

[SnowRidge]

You do realize what you said makes no sense at all? What in the world do motorcycles have to do with tractor canopies? /QUOTE]

Of course. Wind direction, rain speed. Hail, hail, the gang's all here.

What were you saying the topper does for you, again, if I might ask?

You are comparing something that travels at high speeds to a tractor that goes maybe 5 to 6 miles per hour. Do you have a tractor?