BobRip
Elite Member
Nice!
Firewood Gathering With A Power Trac
- Thread starter MossRoad
- Start date
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Nice!
Gravy
Platinum Member
Indeed! And it has that "Power-Trac" origami look! (Well, maybe except for the cardboard and bungees)
SpringHollow
Elite Member
Now that REALLY cracks me up!!!
DC - how do you like the enclosed cab. Looks impressive, even has a wiper. I have had two tractors with just front glass and removed it on both because of the glare at times. Do you have that problem?
Ken
OP
MossRoad
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- 57,931
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- South Bend, Indiana (near)
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- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
DCWhitley
Member
Thanks for all the compliments, but all the inspiration came from you guys. The cab is still a work in progress, using what I learned here and from previously owning a CAT skidsteer. I use the snowblower attachment quite a bit, so a cab and a windshield was a necessity. Believe it or not, the top windows on the doors and the back window are the heat shrink plastic storm window material - cheap and easy. Actually works so well I'm going to leave it on. By the way, the entire cab can be removed with 6 screws. Doors lift off their hinges, requiring no hardware removal, windshield is just taped on with 4 pieces of clear packing tape, although I did try using magnetic tap to hold it to the ROPES but it was not strong enough to hold, hence the cracked windshield.
The heat system is still work in progress also, just made this last weekend. The duct work is actually cardboard taped to a plastic container, held on with bungy cords. The cardboard on the sides was added yesterday, but still too much cold air gets in. Am considering removing the heat shield and replacing with one without the bent over top so the heat from exhaust could go directly up. I also added a toggle switch which bypasses the temp switch for the fan, so I can control when it comes on. In the winter, the fan never comes on by itself.
I will say the articulating tractor has made designing a cab a real challenge, as is the heating system. There is plenty of heat generated by the engine, it has been tough trying to figure out how to get it into the cab. I'm open to any suggestions.
The heat system is still work in progress also, just made this last weekend. The duct work is actually cardboard taped to a plastic container, held on with bungy cords. The cardboard on the sides was added yesterday, but still too much cold air gets in. Am considering removing the heat shield and replacing with one without the bent over top so the heat from exhaust could go directly up. I also added a toggle switch which bypasses the temp switch for the fan, so I can control when it comes on. In the winter, the fan never comes on by itself.
I will say the articulating tractor has made designing a cab a real challenge, as is the heating system. There is plenty of heat generated by the engine, it has been tough trying to figure out how to get it into the cab. I'm open to any suggestions.
J_J
Super Star Member
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- Power-Trac 1445, KUBOTA B-9200HST
Why not use flexible duct. Perhaps an in-line duct fan, if they make one using 12 v.
DCWhitley
Member
Ken - it beats the snow blowing in your face at 10 degrees! I will agree you can't see as well, but many time I'm out for 2 hours at a time, so comfort is big for me. Did I mention I was lazy too?
I have include a picture below. One of my excuses for getting the tractor was that I told my wife I would keep a skating trail open on the lake, so I have tried to live up to that this year. Boy, did I underestimate how difficult and time consuming it is. That really was my motivation for the heat. This picture was taken before I added the back, I thought 3 sides would be enough, but not with the wind blowing down the Lake!
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DCWhitley
Member
J.J. - I had thought of that but decided why not try and use the fan that is already there and not used in the winter. Did I mention I'm cheap also? I had thought about going straight up off the fan with ridged flue pipe, then into the cab over my head with flexible hose, still a possibility. The current rig actually delivers enough air to the cab, it just isn't hot enough, I need the air that come from near the exhaust pipe, that air is hot. The other thing I like about this design is that it doesn't stick out anywhere on the side, so there is nothing to catch.
OP
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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- Aug 31, 2001
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- 57,931
- Location
- South Bend, Indiana (near)
- Tractor
- Power Trac PT425 2001 Model Year
That is a great shot!
As for heat from the engine compartment, I agree with J_J. Make some sort of cover for the existing fan, 90 degree it forward and reduce it to a 6" round duct. Reduce it again to two 3" flexible ducts and port them where you want them. Perhaps one under the seat and one towards the top of the cab?
Have you thought about a hydraulic cooler mounted to the underside of the canopy?
DCWhitley
Member
Just an update on the Firewood Rack. Drawing attached reflects the way I made it. One good thing is that it easily comes apart into the top piece, bottom piece and 4 lengths of rebar for easy summer storage. I ripped the top 1' length of 2x4 so all the wood comes out of 1 12' 2x4. 5' was higher than I wanted, but rebar comes in 10' lengths. It is a little tipsy when transporting (I just tie it off) but is very sturdy when on the ground.
