Adding Cab and Air to Smaller Tractors

buickanddeere · Dec 15, 2014

You will be happier, have a better working system and a more reliable system . If you trade for a tractor with a factory cab & AC.

iccco · Dec 24, 2014

I recently bought a 3320 with a Jodale Perry cab. I wish I had researched cabs before I purchased this. It's a nice cab, looks factory done, but is quite noisy inside. You get alot of cold air in through every hole, throttle, tilt steering wheel, foot controls. I think I will be able to come up with something to mostly seal up these holes, but the noise is terrible. From what I have found the factory cabs are quite quiet in comparison. It does have heat and windshield wipers, and have been out the last couple of days working in it in 30 degree weather and was quite conformable with just a light jacket and no heat turned on. Also no air conditioning so it is warm in the summer. Next time factory cab.

Dr Dave · Jan 13, 2015

iccco said:
I recently bought a 3320 with a Jodale Perry cab. I wish I had researched cabs before I purchased this. It's a nice cab, looks factory done, but is quite noisy inside. You get alot of cold air in through every hole, throttle, tilt steering wheel, foot controls. I think I will be able to come up with something to mostly seal up these holes, but the noise is terrible. From what I have found the factory cabs are quite quiet in comparison. It does have heat and windshield wipers, and have been out the last couple of days working in it in 30 degree weather and was quite conformable with just a light jacket and no heat turned on. Also no air conditioning so it is warm in the summer. Next time factory cab.<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=403844"/>

That's a nice looking cab, it does look factory.

bumperm · Jan 14, 2015

You can probably quite the cab down a significant amount by installing sound deadening foam (closed cell vinyl nitrile). Sold specifically for sound reduction by companies that specialize in that, can be had cheaper: Gymnastic Rubber, Gym Mats, Dance Flooring

bumper

forestcreature1 · Jan 14, 2015

For the air issue, have you considered using long bristle brushes? In our computer rooms, where cables come up through the floor tiles [where the cold air is pumped] there are long bristle brushes on all four sides of the opening.
Since we cut our own tiles, I am sure this brush material is aftermarket. [as opposed to floor tile maker supplied]

tman1020 · Jan 14, 2015

I also have an aftermarket cab and found it to be quite noisy. This fall when I put the doors on I took the time to soundproof it as best I could. This consisted of foam weatherstripping in about half an inch wide and about half inch thick everywhere I could around all openings in around edges to dampen sound around the glass. If you didn't know it wasn't supposed to be there you would never know blends quite well. Then I purchased Denim acoustic panels from Menards. Place them everywhere I could with double-sided tape. Then I bought window flashing tape. And installed it to the underside of seat and bottom and back of all sheet metal out of sightand under hood away from Muffler area. Lastly I used soundproofing undercoating inside fenders and any area that could transmit sound that it would be appropriate. Helped quite a bit but still louder than the factory cab.

Labrat · Jan 14, 2015

I would like to try one of these on my cab when i get tired of swapping it every spring and fall. It runs on 12v DC including the compressor, only thing is the alternator would need 50+ amps just for the A/C but it beats running any hoses and finding a way to mount an open drive compressor. weighs about 80lbs.

guggie · Jan 30, 2015

My 2000 B7500 Kubota has a Curtis cab heat no air ,come summer I take the doors off and there is a fan in the overhead to help move air . I find it better than setting out in the sun and rain . But I do envy my neighbor with his newer Kubota 3030 with factory air on those really hot days. I was just out today in 10 degree weather moving snow around and was very comfortable in the cab , no gloves jacket off. just saying

tman1020 · Jan 30, 2015

Has anyone seen or tried the hydraulically run air-conditioners that hook to your remotes?

DABSGT · Jan 30, 2015

I have a new John Deere 2032r and had a curtis cab installed because Deere didn't offer a cab on that model. I will say I am very disappointed with the Curtis, very loud and leaks. Dealer has been attempting to have curtis make good on it but last snow I almost needed to shovel it out.

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bob parker · Feb 12, 2015

Have to agree with the nay-sayers! If you need/want a tractor with a cab, trade off what you have and invest in a unit with a cab. I've seen several people try to cobble together tractor cabs and all their efforts have been unsuccessful in terms of results and/or costs. Also, after-market cab kits available tend to cost more than the additional cost of a factory installed OEM cab.

rswyan · Feb 13, 2015

Labrat said:
I would like to try one of these on my cab when i get tired of swapping it every spring and fall. It runs on 12v DC including the compressor, only thing is the alternator would need 50+ amps just for the A/C but it beats running any hoses and finding a way to mount an open drive compressor. weighs about 80lbs.

View attachment 406727

I have a similar rooftop AC unit on my van ... runs off a large battery bank to cool the van while the vehicle is not running and I'm in the bunk in the sleeper.

You are correct in your assessment of the power requirement (50+ amps) ... and it would likely do a fine job of cooling a tractor cab.

tman1020 · Feb 13, 2015

I wonder what they cost I don't see prices listed

rswyan · Feb 13, 2015

tman1020 said:
I wonder what they cost I don't see prices listed

They may be rather pricey still ...

I haven't price-shopped lately, but when I bought mine a few years back it was over $4K ...

Travelover · Feb 13, 2015

Some hybrid cars have electric AC. I wonder if one could buy a compressor from a wrecking yard.

Labrat · Feb 13, 2015

We don't currently sell these to the tractor market but if there was enough interest we could put some pricing together.

Jd5203 · Feb 13, 2015

Go to cabdepot.com. You can pretty much build it the way you want and keep it within a budget.

tman1020 · Feb 13, 2015

Yea that is a Bit pricey but I'm glad there is a option. Do you have to add a separate battery bank?

skytracker · Feb 13, 2015

It can be a hard choice for either the factory cab, aftermarket, or build your own. I got lucky and found an aftermarket one for a Ford 4000 made by a company in Traverse City, MI cheap, and am adapting it to my 3000. It came with an RV type roof mounted heater/AC unit, 12V. The fan was locked up and needed replaced. It has a 25 Amp circuit running it. Its 5,800 BTU AC and 1200W heat with variable settings. For the small area I think it does pretty well. We found one like it at an RV store for $485 to put on my neighbors Kubota Curtis cab.
I used the 3/8" closed cell brown foam for insulation and additional noise dampening. The OP is doing a great job with his.

chim · Feb 13, 2015

bob parker said:
Have to agree with the nay-sayers! If you need/want a tractor with a cab, trade off what you have and invest in a unit with a cab. I've seen several people try to cobble together tractor cabs and all their efforts have been unsuccessful in terms of results and/or costs. Also, after-market cab kits available tend to cost more than the additional cost of a factory installed OEM cab.

Welcome aboard, Bob.

Glad you didn't post that two years ago. I was able to build mine before being informed that it was impossible

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...b-finally-decided-time.html?highlight=DIY+Cab