Kubota L4200 Homemade Cab

mcd176 · Jun 26, 2009

YES I HAVE IT PLANNED OUT, IT WILL SLIDE OFF OF THE MACHINE FROM THE FRONT THEN I CAN BACK THE TRACTOR OUTSIDE AND FINISH THE WELDING IN THE GARAGE ROLL IT OUT ON DOLLYS AND MY BUDDY IS GOING TO HOIST IT WITH HIS EXCAVATOR TO SET IT IN PLACE ON THE TRACTOR. NOT THAT I WANT SNOW BUT WHEN WINTER COMES I WONT BE FREEZING TO PLOW MY ROAD WHICH IS 1 MILE LONG AND MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY.

=MIKE

mcd176 · Jun 26, 2009

A FEW MORE PICS..........

mcd176 · Jun 26, 2009

JUST ANOTHER UPDATE, I AM LOOKING INTO USING LEXAN MR10-112 FOR MY WINDOWS IN THE CAB I SPOKE WITH MY REP AT LAIRD PLASTICS TODAY AND HE SAID THAT THIS LEXAN IS STRONGER THAN GLASS AND AS RESISTANT TO SCRATCHING, THEY WILL ALSO CUT IT OUT FOR ME ON THEIR CNC ROUTER FOR LESS THAN I THINK I CAN HAVE GLASS CUT, I AM CHECKING INTO BOTH OPTIONS, I PASTED BELOW THIS A DESCRIPTION OF THE LEXAN FOR YOUR READING ENJOYMENT.

LEXANｮ MR10-112, Abrasion Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet -manufactured by GE Structured Products is the authentic, world renowned, quality brand-name abrasion resistant polycarbonate product offered to you by Modern Plastics. In its colorless form, LEXANｮ MR10-112, polycarbonate sheet is a crystal clear material with key properties such as excellent impact resistance, scratch and graffiti resistance.

LEXAN MR10 sheet is mar-and graffiti-resistant. It combines the impact strength of LEXAN polycarbonate sheet with a proprietary abrasion and UV-resistant MARGARDｮ II surface. It is warranted against yellowing, breakage, coating failure and loss of light transmission and offers improved resistance to weathering and forced entry protection. It is useful for schools, store, transit shelters and other high-traffic areas.

High-impact LEXANｮ MR10-112 polycarbonate sheet can be utilized for primary glazing, or on either side of existing glazing for economical protection against breakage or intrusion. A better insulator than glass, LEXANｮ MR10 sheet contributes to lower energy costs.
Other attributes of LEXANｮ MR10-112, Abrasion Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet products include:

* 250 times the impact strength of glass
* Excellent light transmission
* Excellent sound abatement properties
* Superior insulating properties
* Good sound abatement properties
* Available in transparent (clear), tinted

Engineering specifications for LEXANｮ MR10-112 Abrasion Resistant Polycarbonate Sheet Products:

* Tensile Strength 9,500 psi
* Compressive Strength 12,500 psi
* Water Absorption (24 hours) 0.15%
* Heat Deflection Temperature @66 psi - .280ｰF
* Brittle Temperature -211ｰF
* Flammability - Horizontal Burn (Flame Spread) AEB, Value <1

mjncad · Jun 27, 2009

If you go the Lexan route for the windows, please let us know how well it works for you.

westcliffe01 · Jun 30, 2009

Lexan does scratch. Long term it is hard to maintain. Cleaning has to be done very carefully in stages to extend life. In a dusty environment it will be scratched in short order.

mjncad said:
If you go the Lexan route for the windows, please let us know how well it works for you.

mjncad · Jul 1, 2009

westcliffe01 said:
Lexan does scratch. Long term it is hard to maintain. Cleaning has to be done very carefully in stages to extend life. In a dusty environment it will be scratched in short order.

You echo my concerns concerning Lexan, which is why I'm curious to see how it works for the guy building the cab.

Eagle Dude · Jul 1, 2009

There is a cleaner/polisher made for Lexan. Used it on aircraft canopies back in the military and on Race cars. It will haze over time in the Sun, but the newer stuff last a lot longer.

westcliffe01 · Jul 1, 2009

I know of and use the plastic cleaners. But one generally treats an aircraft in a different way (and it works in a different environment) than earthmoving equipment or tractors. Replacement windows for aircraft are hellishly expensive and have to be replaced by an A&P mechanic at their rates, which comes on top of the component cost.

I have a Bobcat B200 TLB with an open roll over structure (does have a roof) and have considered making an enclosure for the long winters here in the Midwest. My thought was to use a thinner mylar that is replaced every season. The idea was to "embed" a thin steel cable around the edges of the mylar and then attach the cables to the structure with turnbuckles on 2 corners of each side to pull it taut. Once in place and tight, run a bead of silicone around the edge to stop it flapping and prevent water or snow from entering.

In summer I am considering bug screen instead of the mylar to try to keep some of my skin attached... I think I might leave the mylar on the front and the back or ultimately switch to glass (which is much easier to maintain) in an attempt to keep some of the weather out and help my equipment last a bit longer. We sure pay enough for it...