Been a year with a cab - Not sure I would again

[Doug_D]

Well, I have now owned my cab tractor for an entire year now and I must say that I still have mixed feelings regarding it.

Back in August it was great (bushoging) and just the other day in the snow it was fun. I love the fact that I can put my boys in there with me and lock the doors and not have to worry to much (2 yr, 5 yr).

But I did not buy a tractor to drive the boys and me around for fun. I bought it to work. I find myself constantly worrying about the cab. More than once I have not been able to stick the tractor where I needed it (really unwilling). When mowing the field edges, I find myself scanning the trees for low hanging limbs and sometimes at a cost of watching where I am going! I find it a little more difficult to gage the front bucket or forks from the cab. I really miss the ability to "hang off" the tractor while edging close to a load.

Not saying I made the wrong choice, but usually when I use my tractor I come dressed for the work at hand (winter dress warm, summer jeans, etc.). Maybe it would be different if I spent hours on the tractor doing the same thing over and over, but I don't (row crop, mowing, etc.). More times than not I am on the tractor for an hour moving this, pushing that, feeding cattle, etc., then its off to another task.

Don't get me wrong. It sure is hard to beat drinking hot coffee and listening to the CD player while pushing snow around But there are times I really miss my Ford 4000.

Just one mans observations and experiences.
Doug

 

[TripleR]

Well, I have now owned my cab tractor for an entire year now and I must say that I still have mixed feelings regarding it.

Back in August it was great (bushoging) and just the other day in the snow it was fun. I love the fact that I can put my boys in there with me and lock the doors and not have to worry to much (2 yr, 5 yr).

But I did not buy a tractor to drive the boys and me around for fun. I bought it to work. I find myself constantly worrying about the cab. More than once I have not been able to stick the tractor where I needed it (really unwilling). When mowing the field edges, I find myself scanning the trees for low hanging limbs and sometimes at a cost of watching where I am going! I find it a little more difficult to gage the front bucket or forks from the cab. I really miss the ability to "hang off" the tractor while edging close to a load.

Not saying I made the wrong choice, but usually when I use my tractor I come dressed for the work at hand (winter dress warm, summer jeans, etc.). Maybe it would be different if I spent hours on the tractor doing the same thing over and over, but I don't (row crop, mowing, etc.). More times than not I am on the tractor for an hour moving this, pushing that, feeding cattle, etc., then its off to another task.

Don't get me wrong. It sure is hard to beat drinking hot coffee and listening to the CD player while pushing snow around But there are times I really miss my Ford 4000.

Just one mans observations and experiences.
Doug

I have had a cabbed tractor and know what you mean. I use my cabbed tractor primarily for bush hogging and will be on it two straight days at a time, so I LOVE the comfort and air filtration. I gave up worrying about scratches a long time ago and have had to replace my lights a few times. With a cab, I do feel much more detached from what is going on and lose some precision. Someone who operates a tractor on a daily basis won't be limited like many of us as the men that farm our land constantly amaze me with where they can go and how close they get with their JD 300+ hp tractors and implements. I do have smaller tractors when needed. If I could only have one, I don't know what I would do.

 

[beenthere]

Your experience is the reason I won't get a cab. For most of my use, I'd not want to be looking out for the cab.

Often enough, a low limb that wasn't an obstacle at all on my old tractor, now catches the ROPS and hits me in the back of the head as it is dragged forward. Some additional bars sloping forward (like an orchard tractor) to slide the low limbs up and over the ROPS would be a good idea.

The open air when driving is a freedom I rather enjoy when on my tractor.

 

[Bartcephus]

The difference is the same as between a motorcycle and a car. Nothing says freedom as much as the wind hitting your face, and nothing feels as safe and comfortable as an air conditioned cab. I don't think there is an inbetween remedy which can satisfy both. I often have to ride with the ROPS lowered so I don't catch the branches in the back of my head. And there is no way I could get there with a cab on. (I am on fairly level ground most of the time.) But even then, I worry about putting the greasy side up.

 

[Thomas]

Good post Doug.
I am at 50/50 on purchasing cab mostly for winter,I've talk w/other cab owners and they say once the cab on its better to leave it on..installing,removing,seals etc. etc.

" I find it a little more difficult to gage the front bucket or forks from the cab. I really miss the ability to "hang off" the tractor while edging close to a load."

My main reason for holding off.

 

[amigauser]

That is the reason I sold my B3030 cab and replaced it with an open station GL3240. I always worried about the cab in the woods and when I use the tractor I am getting on and off it quite often so the cab became a pain in the A##. Now I do admit when the sleet and snow is coming down in the winter I do miss it but any other times I would rather be out in the fresh air.

Cabs definately have there place. If I was mowing large open areas in 100 degree weather or doing lots of snow removal the cab would be nice.

 

[radman1]

The few times when I prefer an open station is:
1: Getting on and off multiple times in a day. Need to be a bit of a gymnast with cab.
2. When something breaks or goes bad, I can't hear it with a cab until it gets really noisy.
3. When I want to get someone's attention, I can just yell. Vice versa, someone can yell at me to get my attention. With cab, I installed a horn to get attention and use hand signals to convey my message. (Usually polite hand signals.)
4. Visibility is a little better and can hang toward one side or the other to see tire edge ect.

Would I give up my cab? No way!

 

[two_bit_score]

Well, I have now owned my cab tractor for an entire year now and I must say that I still have mixed feelings regarding it.

Back in August it was great (bushoging) and just the other day in the snow it was fun. I love the fact that I can put my boys in there with me and lock the doors and not have to worry to much (2 yr, 5 yr).

But I did not buy a tractor to drive the boys and me around for fun. I bought it to work. I find myself constantly worrying about the cab. More than once I have not been able to stick the tractor where I needed it (really unwilling). When mowing the field edges, I find myself scanning the trees for low hanging limbs and sometimes at a cost of watching where I am going! I find it a little more difficult to gage the front bucket or forks from the cab. I really miss the ability to "hang off" the tractor while edging close to a load.

Not saying I made the wrong choice, but usually when I use my tractor I come dressed for the work at hand (winter dress warm, summer jeans, etc.). Maybe it would be different if I spent hours on the tractor doing the same thing over and over, but I don't (row crop, mowing, etc.). More times than not I am on the tractor for an hour moving this, pushing that, feeding cattle, etc., then its off to another task.

Don't get me wrong. It sure is hard to beat drinking hot coffee and listening to the CD player while pushing snow around But there are times I really miss my Ford 4000.

Just one mans observations and experiences.
Doug

Your post is just more proof (if anybody really needs it) that everyone needs more than one tractor.

 

[Thumper & Buttercup]

We've got both,

Each has it's own merits, -10 wintertime blowing and moving snow I love the cab, but I still find me getting out the open cab hydro to do the close in work first.

On our place I've trimmed up all the trees that either tractor would get near. On our T2220 with the super-steer I can see 100% better doing bucket or fork work. I can drop the ROPS and get right into the woods also.

They both have their good points, we are lucky enough to have both with loaders.

 

[beenthere]

Your post is just more proof (if anybody really needs it) that everyone needs more than one tractor.

I like that thought. Hadn't really thought about it, but now I will.