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

[Robert_in_NY]

Cabs are good for farmers other folks who make thier living outside, but for those of us with inside jobs, it is often great to get outside after work and on weekends. You loose that with a cab. Might as well stay in the office and get a "We" game that lets you play tractor on a video screen. Whenever I see a CUT with a cab, all I can think of is "A fool and his money are soon parted". I am real happy and comfortable under the hot old summer sun with just my homemade canvas-covered, wood-frame canopy, or plowing snow in the winter wearing my carharts, mittens, boots, and face mask. I love having all the tractor's power available to put into the ground or pto (you wont find me with a hydro trans on a non-lawn mowing tractor either). I have been running open-station tractors for almost 40 years and have yet to get stung by a bee while doing it. It is refreshing to see this post and I appreciate your honesty and courage in makeing it. Most folks are just too darned proud to admit a mistake like that.

I can see your point but I don't agree in that people who own a CUT with a cab is a fool in any way. Yes not all of them need the cab and some do realize it is a mistake for their situation but I would imagine a lot of them who can afford to buy a cab CUT do so to be able to enjoy their tractor more. No more worry about having to dress up heavy to use the tractor in the winter or worrying about how hot or humid it is during the summer. The tractor becomes a fun, year round tool they can use if/when they want and if the day is perfect they can open the windows and have the smells and breeze blow through the cab.

 

[tugboat-2]

Yes,..I too, make the trip with the chainsaw and the limb clipper and try to prepare for the tractor work every couple years,...its worth it and you get a little firewood to boot.

After many years of open station,..I would never give up my "Cab". Yes there are times when climbing in and out is a pain along with some of the other minor annoyances but I'll keep my cab regardless.

I suspect one of the tractor manufacturers will ~"eventually"~ realize that there is a very viable need for some sort of ~"Convertible-Tractor"~, ..... One with a "Quick-Attach" Cab. Yes, I'm thinking something that "easily" hooks to an overhead barn beam or perhaps a tree limb or even a pipe-frame rig,... snap a couple of catches and drive out from under,..... connects just as quickly,.. AND all elect. wire harnesses, hydraulic hoses etc STAY with the main-frame-tractor for convenient, trouble free "Quick-Attach" !!

Sure it will take some good design and lots of trial and error as do most of these inventions,....but I'll betcha the one that comes up with it will make the most sales that year,...then it will be a competition to do even better by each manufacturer!

Personally I think it's a great idea and I wish they'd hurry up and get at it !! I still love my cab,...but there are those days, . . . . ........ (especially at sea on a lovely day ha, ha!)

CHEERS !
. . tug

 

[TripleR]

Cabs are good for farmers other folks who make thier living outside, but for those of us with inside jobs, it is often great to get outside after work and on weekends. You loose that with a cab. Might as well stay in the office and get a "We" game that lets you play tractor on a video screen. Whenever I see a CUT with a cab, all I can think of is "A fool and his money are soon parted". I am real happy and comfortable under the hot old summer sun with just my homemade canvas-covered, wood-frame canopy, or plowing snow in the winter wearing my carharts, mittens, boots, and face mask. I love having all the tractor's power available to put into the ground or pto (you wont find me with a hydro trans on a non-lawn mowing tractor either). I have been running open-station tractors for almost 40 years and have yet to get stung by a bee while doing it. It is refreshing to see this post and I appreciate your honesty and courage in makeing it. Most folks are just too darned proud to admit a mistake like that.

A cabbed tractor allowed my father in law to spend a few extra years on a tractor in extremes of hot and cold and one is now doing the same for me.

With the aging population, I see more and more cabbed tractors and I don't view anyone a "fool" for preferring one over the other whether it be cab over open station or gear over HST no matter what their age or condition.

 

[forester2]

Well put TripleR. 20 years ago, sitting out in a snow storm enhanced by snowblower whiteouts seemed fun. A few years ago it didn't. I am now fortunate enough to have both; cab and open. Can't imagine going without either one. In my situation (and that is the key; your particular circimstances) if I HAD to have only one tractor it would have to be open station.

 

[some zilch]

Cabs are good for farmers other folks who make thier living outside, but for those of us with inside jobs, it is often great to get outside after work and on weekends. You loose that with a cab. Might as well stay in the office and get a "We" game that lets you play tractor on a video screen. Whenever I see a CUT with a cab, all I can think of is "A fool and his money are soon parted". I am real happy and comfortable under the hot old summer sun with just my homemade canvas-covered, wood-frame canopy, or plowing snow in the winter wearing my carharts, mittens, boots, and face mask. I love having all the tractor's power available to put into the ground or pto (you wont find me with a hydro trans on a non-lawn mowing tractor either). I have been running open-station tractors for almost 40 years and have yet to get stung by a bee while doing it. It is refreshing to see this post and I appreciate your honesty and courage in makeing it. Most folks are just too darned proud to admit a mistake like that.

i was kinda thinking the same thing, but would have phrased it a bit differently; some people on here have feelings that get hurt way too easy. i think a CUT with a cab looks rediculous; the cab is bigger than the rest of the tractor, and it takes half the engine's power to spin the AC pump so you can be cool while you mow your 1/2 acre lawn. but to each their own i suppose. i have a canopy on mine, and it is plenty for me. i would never even consider a cab for the type of work i do; it would limit visibility, hamper getting on/off, be a constant worry in the woods, and my number one gripe about cabs: all that extra electrical garbage to go wrong. Real farmers and their field tractors-cabs should be standard equipment

 

[TripleR]

i was kinda thinking the same thing, but would have phrased it a bit differently; some people on here have feelings that get hurt way too easy. i think a CUT with a cab looks rediculous; the cab is bigger than the rest of the tractor, and it takes half the engine's power to spin the AC pump so you can be cool while you mow your 1/2 acre lawn. but to each their own i suppose. i have a canopy on mine, and it is plenty for me. i would never even consider a cab for the type of work i do; it would limit visibility, hamper getting on/off, be a constant worry in the woods, and my number one gripe about cabs: all that extra electrical garbage to go wrong. Real farmers and their field tractors-cabs should be standard equipment

Doesn't have anything to do with some having their feelings too easily hurt, but rather someone being characterized a "fool" because their "needs/wants/preferences" differ from their another. I have no use for name calling regardless of the venue.

Some people want cabs, some don't; buy and use what you want.

 

[jenkinsph]

I am a fool with two compact cabbed tractors with ehydro and love them. I guess the only thing that saves me is the 820 OS gear tractor. It is a free country you have the right to be smug and miserable if you want, have at it.

 

[Doug_D]

Lots of a great advice here to help someone choose between buying a cab tractor vs open station. I spent countless hours trying to figure out which one before I made my choice. I am sure there will be others behind us who do too. My intent was to maybe help someone by pointing out things they may have not considered.

I find it very interesting that even after a year of ownership, I am STILL undecided if I had to choose again.

Ask me tomorrow when it's cold or when it warms up in May and June. I am sure my answer will be different for each.

Who was it that talked about a convertible tractor top (was that tug?)? I need to buy them a beer and talk about patents

 

[anojones]

My intent was to maybe help someone by pointing out things they may have not considered.

It's interesting, I never thought about the downside to having a cab, other than cost. I've often wondered if I should have spent the extra dollars on a cab, but after this thread I'm actually probably better off without it. Most of my work is on and off the tractor a lot, I do mow 10 acres in 100 degree heat a couple of times a year- and it would be great for that, but not the disadvantages outweigh that one advantage.

 

[CumminsLuke]

I've had both and currently have both, although I keep the M6040 at my business mainly. I have a two and a half year old son who loves tractors. Because of accidents that I have heard about with children and tractors he WILL NOT ride on an open station tractor. I can put him up in the cab of the M9580 with me, lock the door and go to work and not worry. A side from all the other benefits that one reason is worth it to me.

 

[E/S]

I've had both and currently have both, although I keep the M6040 at my business mainly. I have a two and a half year old son who loves tractors. Because of accidents that I have heard about with children and tractors he WILL NOT ride on an open station tractor. I can put him up in the cab of the M9580 with me, lock the door and go to work and not worry. A side from all the other benefits that one reason is worth it to me.

i agree, I got a broken arm as a boy falling off a open station tractor while ridding with my dad.

I now take any of my grandkids with me without being concerned about there safety, or there grandmother kicking my a++ for hurting her baby's!

E/S

 

[Doug_D]

I've had both and currently have both, although I keep the M6040 at my business mainly. I have a two and a half year old son who loves tractors. Because of accidents that I have heard about with children and tractors he WILL NOT ride on an open station tractor. I can put him up in the cab of the M9580 with me, lock the door and go to work and not worry. A side from all the other benefits that one reason is worth it to me.

That was one of the main reasons I ended up with a cab too. The idea never really occurred to me until my oldest boy and I were both in the cab at the Kubota dealer checking them out. My boys love it..and my princess does too. Wife likes the fact that I can take them with me and get them out of her hair for a while. No more leaving them all at the house to drive her nuts.

 

[Doug in NNY]

I owned my BX2350 for a year and a half without a cab. Last fall I had a Curtis hard cab installed. Overall, I like it.

The down-side:
- It looks weird, somewhat out of proportion to the rest of the tractor because of its mass. An older Sims cab on a neighbor's BX2200 looks more proportional (and the ROPS is outside his cab, inside mine).
- The cab amplifies engine noise, something I didn't anticipate when I planned the purchase.
- I sense that I must be more aware of branches and tree limbs than with just a bare ROPS.

The up-side:
- Blowing snow is much more comfortable when it is snowing hard and/or the westerly winds are 20 mph or more. Handling traditionally heavy lake-effect snow that hammers the Tug Hill Plateau off the eastern end of Lake Ontario is why I have the cab and a 3ph snow thrower. Backing into wind-driven snow is almost unthinkable without a cab. I know people do it. I've done it. But letting the wiper clear my vision is easier than the alternative.
- Heat in the cab. Yes.

The doors are easily removed for spring/summer/early fall.

I'm not an evangelist for cabs. But one works for me in my situation. In our hamlet of Adams Center, community members volunteer to keep sidewalks clear and help neighbors who might be older and overwhelmed with a large drop of lake-effect snow. All of these units, no matter size or make, have cabs.

Doug

 

[lawn_king]

For me the cab is necessity. I make my living with it year round. Not only does it keep me warm or cool, it protects me from the sun,wind,rain & snow,insects,pesticides and protects my hearing as well. Its a must from my perspective.

 

[jimmysisson]

I have a soft-side Curtis cab. It's older, so the windshield is flat, which gives undwanted reflections sometimes. I like the rain and hot-sun protection, and also like that the guages and switches, seat, and controls are out of the rain mostly. It gives a good place to mount work lights, fire extinguisher, etc. With no doors on most of the year it's easy to get in or out and you don't get whacked quite as often in the woods.
If it didn't come with the used machine I bought I don't think I'd spring for one new.
Jim

 

[pharmon]

Thanks to all for the pros and cons of cabs vs open stations. I only recently was able to afford a tractor, and it is open station. I had not realized the issue of low branches striking a cab. I do enjoy the increased visability and situational awareness of the open cab when working clearing snow at the edge of the road.
Paul

 

[wedge40]

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

Doug there are plenty of used 4000s out there. By a second tractor.

I love spending other peoples money.

Wedge

 

[gordyy]

As the owner of one of these rediculous looking little Scuts with a cab on
I say come spend 8 hrs blowing snow here in ND without it was out a couple weeks ago temp was -22 wind was 30mph. I was thinking the heater wasnt working all that great at about midnight then a wire connector inside the heater quit making contact, I believe it took all of 3 minutes to get down to -22 in there

I likes the heat the doors back and windshield can all come off in the summer takes a minute for each door 5 minutes apiece for the back and front windows

 

[schmism]

sounds to me like you need the Ford 4000 back....

no cab for some jobs... .cab for others...

 

[ModMech]

Thanks for the discussion, some points about both I had not considered.

I currently have an open tractor and really enjoy it. Because of 20+ years as a mechanic, I can't see getting a smaller tractor with a cab, the required contortions would cripple me even assuming I don't have to stand on my head to fix something inside the cab.

When we get a larger tractor for field work I'm thinking a cab would be nice as it will be a couple hours of work with each implement and only one switch per day if that. I have even thought about a shade but most of my time is in the AM or PM when the sun is low and we have LOTs of trees, so that would not be a big advantage and not worth the cost to me.