JD 3038e Homemade Cab

[Ridge Runner66]

Really good artical, thanks. I have a 1998 855. The last four winters I used a fabric cab over tubular frame, okay, but not warm. And with a pto blower on the front you have to have a cab. Early this year my wife and I bought a new Curtis cab at an auction. The cab is in excellent condition off a 455. The windshield portion fits over the hood perfectly. But the ROPS is in the way. Could be an interesting project. If any of you readers have tried setting a 455 Curtis cab on an 855 please let me know. Thanks and have a great day.

Tom

 

[chux72vette]

Awesome work first of all.
Just wanted to add a side note, not to hijack the thread, as this work is awesome.
1. Plexiglass is 10X stronger that regular glass.
2. Lexan is 10X stronger than plexiglass so in essence, Lexan is about 100X stronger than regular glass.
Very hard to break, to me easier to cut with less worry of breakage. More expensive yes but the yield is much better in the long run with the benefit it will hold up better to things that ma hit against it. I have had quite a few years working with it. Most stores use a form of Lexan on their doors so as not so easy to break into.
Also, one other thing on rubber. You can get rolled rubber mat, cut to length, at Tractor Supply. If there is not one close, you can order it. Might work out in place of hockey pucks. I have used a bunch of this stuff in the off-road things I build and work on. Just my .02~

 

[gatekeeper]

I like the idea about mocking the cab up with the 2x2's great idea. Looks like you are well on your way to a great job. Nicely done, having done the odd customization on my b2920 I can appriciate the many hours spent on a project like that.

Mike

 

[Hiltz]

Had couple hours . Mounted door latch from an old combine from father in laws. Also got all rubbers for windows from it. Unfortunately the windows are tempered so unable to cut them to size. I had some plexiglass laying around to try in a small side window. Cracked when cutting with jigsaw. Cut it with die grinder. Very messy. Next time i get home will just bite the bullet and buy all windows. As far as Someone mentioned just make all pieces from one side to other same.i hoped the same also. The front and rear frame were set on on welding table squared and welded. Thats it unfortunately. As door is different shape, size then other side. For the top I squared front to back and then welded pieces in. Almost all brackets had to be made individually. To ensure proper gaps at fenders, floor pans, where loader meets front of cab , the door had to be different then other side to make it easy to enter exit, etc. etc.
Yes metal bandsaw is my next investment. I have been using mitre saw for figuring out degrees handheld bandsaw, small angle finder chopsaw and zipcuts.
Stationary bansaw would be ideal!!
Less dust fumes etc also

You can cut lexan or plexiglass with a router. I think your going to have sitcker shock when you price out having someone cut glass for you. Get yourself a good router that has a speed control and dial down the speed. Another advantage of using plastics for the windows is that you can bend it yourself over a propane heater if needed also saving you a ton of money. When your all done you will still have a good router.........cheers

 

[TnFarmer56]

Awesome work first of all.
Just wanted to add a side note, not to hijack the thread, as this work is awesome.
1. Plexiglass is 10X stronger that regular glass.
2. Lexan is 10X stronger than plexiglass so in essence, Lexan is about 100X stronger than regular glass.
Very hard to break, to me easier to cut with less worry of breakage. More expensive yes but the yield is much better in the long run with the benefit it will hold up better to things that ma hit against it. I have had quite a few years working with it. Most stores use a form of Lexan on their doors so as not so easy to break into.
Also, one other thing on rubber. You can get rolled rubber mat, cut to length, at Tractor Supply. If there is not one close, you can order it. Might work out in place of hockey pucks. I have used a bunch of this stuff in the off-road things I build and work on. Just my .02~

I'll have to agree with Lexan being very strong. Back in my 20's (30 years ago), I was involved in stock car racing. The class I ran in used 1/8" Lexan windshields. One night a car ahead of me broke a drive shaft. A large piece of it came from under his car and hit my windshield directly in front of where I was sitting. It left a gouge in the windshield about the size of your little finger, flipped over and tore a 12" piece out of the roof. (5/8 mile high-banked track, we were near the end of a straight, doing close to 130 mph) Had it not been for that fine DuPont product, I would not be writing this post today. Also it is much lighter than glass. As far as cutting it with a jigsaw. They do make a fine-toothed blade for cutting Plexiglas and Lexan. If you use a wood blade, you will crack it every time. Also, leave the paper on it until you have it cut, that helps as well. We used a jigsaw to rough cut our windows and a belt sander to fine trim it. A band saw works even better if you have the room to move the sheet of Lexan around.

 

[Mounted Madness]

Great pics and great job. Keep it up. In both departments, please. :thumbsup:

 

[mikehaugen]

The one advantage of glass I think is that it is hard to scratch. Most plexi-glass/ lexan projects I have seen look like crap after a while because of scratches and sometimes just plain hazy. I do agree though that it is much stronger.

 

[Agent Blue]

I built a radar trailer that is parked on the shoulder to indicate oncoming vehicle speed. The rear door was safety glass. It was shattered after some bozo threw a beer bottle through it. Luckily the expensive unit was not damaged and I switched to a 1/4" piece of lexan. It took some abuse but was never broken. Impressive material.

 

[dan47613]

still another easy way to cut lexan.........................use a dremel tool with a diamond cut off wheel attached.............it's like a hot knife going through butter. if there are any rough edges. simply, sand it to a point that you are content with it.

 

[GPintheMitten]

Nice build. I like your approach of mocking it up with 2x2's. I might tackle the same project one of these days. Thanks for the inspiration... (and all the other posts with ideas and experience).