Should I cab or not. Getting ready to buy

ruralNearDallas · May 17, 2021

Number15 said:
I am very close to buying my first tractor. One of the last decisions I need to make is if I should get the cab version or not. I currently live in FL and the endless summer is brutal and the AC seems inviting. Problem is I am moving to middle TN and not sure if the cab is needed as much there. I know it gets colder and I know there are seasons and it is something I have not experienced in 30 years.

I am a little worried about the cab height and how it might limit the places the tractor can go. I also know most of the time will be spent with the rotary cutter in the open areas. I don't think I will be crashing through the woods with the tractor but I don't want to limit to much where I can go. I guess I am in kinda a chicken / egg situation. I need a tractor but I am not sure exactly what I will be doing yet except mowing the open spaces. I would love to hear opinions.

ruralNearDallas · May 17, 2021

Summary: We like our no cab.

There are a lot of factors covered by others. We bought in 2008 and went with no cab. It was a great decision. Reasons include those you listed along with: I like being outside.

Missing feature that cab had that I could easily add, but have not: Rear facing lights.

PA Scott · May 17, 2021

I regret not getting a cab. My next tractor will have a cab.

Omega Woods · May 17, 2021

I live in east TN. Wish I had a cab all the way. I didn't have the money at the time. If you're even considering one, just get it .

xBBx · May 17, 2021

As others have stated and we seem to be in agreement - A cab makes a huge difference for generally tolerating outdoor conditions, whatever they may be. It also keeps that dust out of your eyes, ears, and nose. I grew up without a cab tractor and then finally, 35 years later was able to purchase a tractor with a cab. It makes such a huge difference, it's really a game changer for time spent on a machine. Yes, there are places you can't or wouldn't want to reach, but it is worth every penny in the long run.

Williy · May 17, 2021

People that say you don't need a cab the temps
probably don't hit the 100+ degrees in the summer
are not bothered by dust, bugs etc. You spend a few
hours in the sun here in Texas you will be very happy
with a cab with a/c also the dust is like powder, every
time you take a step you get puffs of dust.
The BIG THING IS YOU WILL NOT GET A AFTER
MARKET CAB THAT WILL FIT LIKE A FACTORY INSTALLED CAB AND MOST OF THEM DON'T HAVE
A/C AND ARE DUSTY and some make noise! Just listen to the ones that have aftermarket cabs! Aftermarket cabs are just plain BS. I get my information from others as I was thinking an aftermarket cab would be a lot cheaper but after reading about how great they are I ordered
factory installed.
Now for all you guys that don't have a cab more
power to ya enjoy the fresh air etc.

willy

MRollins10 · May 17, 2021

wolc123 said:
My suggestion would be to skip the cab but get a canopy. The motion of the tractor gives you a nice breeze while mowing open areas and the canopy keeps you in the shade. I made one for my bush-hog tractor and the cost was nill.

Most of all, I would never own a cabbed tractor as long as I am working my full time job inside a climate controlled factory. I might consider one after I retire. Right now, I love my time outside in the shade.

View attachment 698740

Good old fashioned ingenuity.

Dave Pee · May 17, 2021

Number15 said:
I am very close to buying my first tractor. One of the last decisions I need to make is if I should get the cab version or not. I currently live in FL and the endless summer is brutal and the AC seems inviting. Problem is I am moving to middle TN and not sure if the cab is needed as much there. I know it gets colder and I know there are seasons and it is something I have not experienced in 30 years.

I dont mind the heat so much in N FLA, but I wish I had a cab for bush cutting - a very filthy job. Without a cab, plan on bathing after cutting!

Smily0 · May 17, 2021

Where in Middle TN are you heading? I live just north of Cookeville, TN. We bought a L6060 Cabbed tractor about 3 years ago and I haven't regretted it once. The AC works great when moving, however, sitting still on a hot summer day it goes warm pretty quick since there is no fan for the ac heat exchanger (I keep saying I should add one, but never do). As so many others have mentioned, it's great when hot and humid, or during the winter cold, but also with all the rain we get, it's nice to be protected. I've trimmed some trees with a pole saw to make access in the woods better, but I would rather trim occasionally and have the cab then to not have it. I also have allergies and there are times I finish brush hogging my pastures and have thick yellow layers of pollen. I can't imagine doing the job without it.

EONE · May 17, 2021

For what I do with my tractors...No cab. In the woods, clearing, etc...I live in Western NY and our winters can be rough, but even for ploughing snow, I don't mind not having a cab. If your mostly in the open, doing field work, farming, etc.....Then get a cab. It just depends on what you are doing...I own several tractors, none have cabs. But I sure liked a cab when I was farming.

HFK Farms · May 17, 2021

Number15 said:
I am very close to buying my first tractor. One of the last decisions I need to make is if I should get the cab version or not. I currently live in FL and the endless summer is brutal and the AC seems inviting. Problem is I am moving to middle TN and not sure if the cab is needed as much there. I know it gets colder and I know there are seasons and it is something I have not experienced in 30 years.

I am a little worried about the cab height and how it might limit the places the tractor can go. I also know most of the time will be spent with the rotary cutter in the open areas. I don't think I will be crashing through the woods with the tractor but I don't want to limit to much where I can go. I guess I am in kinda a chicken / egg situation. I need a tractor but I am not sure exactly what I will be doing yet except mowing the open spaces. I would love to hear opinions.

Being a Zetor and LS Tractor Dealer there are pros and cons for a cab tractor vs an open station tractor. Number 1 being the glass doors are expensive, and it takes the dealer about 1 hour to install. Customers tell me how they broke their doors, from something rolling in the cab hit it, got to close to a tree, forgot to shut the door as they backed out of the barn, left the door open while feeding, cow hit it, and not securing the tractor doors when transporting the tractor on a trailer and a door come open.. Seen a few front wind shields busted do to limb hitting it, tractor they were following done the road threw a rock into it. Back windows seem to catch rocks thrown by a brush hog or disc mower.

As far as A/C, if you own a tractor long enough, the A/C is going to need worked on. There is nothing hotter then a cab tractor without A/C.. I own 3 tractors for haying and feeding cattle. A Zetor 4321 open station, Branson 4720i with loader open station, and Forterra 10741 with loader and cab. the Forterra pulls my JD 469 round baler, a cab is necessary. But of course hay baling you are not in areas with a lot trees.

dsaw · May 17, 2021

I’d say it depends on what you plan to do in the woods. I’m in S. Indiana w/no cab. On my last tractor, I ripped both turn signals off the rear and there‘s no way I could have a cab. But, I’m clearing trails with the tractor and running all over my 200 acres of 97% forest. My neighbor has 95% pasture, and he loves his cab.

JLH4 · May 17, 2021

I live in central KY so our weather is about the same as E. TN. and I have an open station. I would not have a cab, I do a lot of brush clearing and tree cutting for firewood and I'm on and off the seat 50+- times a day sometimes and it is a pain to open and close the door that many times. My Dad had a cab tractor and I tied the door open. It just depends on what your needs are but for me an open station is fine. Bug spray and canopy in summer and insulated clothes in the winter work for me!

mikeb11000 · May 17, 2021

Number15 said:
I am very close to buying my first tractor. One of the last decisions I need to make is if I should get the cab version or not. I currently live in FL and the endless summer is brutal and the AC seems inviting. Problem is I am moving to middle TN and not sure if the cab is needed as much there. I know it gets colder and I know there are seasons and it is something I have not experienced in 30 years.

I am a little worried about the cab height and how it might limit the places the tractor can go. I also know most of the time will be spent with the rotary cutter in the open areas. I don't think I will be crashing through the woods with the tractor but I don't want to limit to much where I can go. I guess I am in kinda a chicken / egg situation. I need a tractor but I am not sure exactly what I will be doing yet except mowing the open spaces. I would love to hear opinions.

Go with the Cab. I have a Kubota L3600 with the cab. I the summer in Louisiana it a little warm and I will AC no problem. In the winter put the heater on.

TN8Man · May 17, 2021

I retired and move to middle Tennessee 9 years ago. The first couple years I didn't need a tractor for my <2 acres but I did need a riding lawnmower and it was brutal during the long hot and humid summer months. Then I bought additional adjoining property and I now needed a tractor. I bought a open station and soon regretted my purchase. Hot, humid and bugs was bad enough but the heat and humidity takes away your energy after a few hours, which can also make operating a tractor dangerous. So I traded in my open cab for a bigger and more powerful cab and never looked back. Cab is the way to go but you also need to make sure you know what HP you might need. I started with a 35hp but soon realized I needed at least a 50hp.

GTV6 · May 17, 2021

Neighbor across the street bought cab because of his allergic asthma and loves it for that.

WilliamBos · May 17, 2021

Go Cab - love our 1635 Cab.

marhar · May 17, 2021

It depends: If you are going to be plowing fields and scaping snow you should have an enclosed cab. If you are buying a sub compact to use around the farm, pulling trees and clearing land an enclosure may get in the way of your work.

ManUpNawth · May 17, 2021

Number15 said:
I am very close to buying my first tractor. One of the last decisions I need to make is if I should get the cab version or not. I currently live in FL and the endless summer is brutal and the AC seems inviting. Problem is I am moving to middle TN and not sure if the cab is needed as much there. I know it gets colder and I know there are seasons and it is something I have not experienced in 30 years.

I am a little worried about the cab height and how it might limit the places the tractor can go. I also know most of the time will be spent with the rotary cutter in the open areas. I don't think I will be crashing through the woods with the tractor but I don't want to limit to much where I can go. I guess I am in kinda a chicken / egg situation. I need a tractor but I am not sure exactly what I will be doing yet except mowing the open spaces. I would love to hear opinions.

Everybody's level of comfort will vary, and you'll no doubt get all sorts of opinions about a cab or not. SO here's one more. I grew up around and on tractors. No ROPS. No cabs. Sometimes not much of a real "seat". It's what we did. And we acclimated. And we complained. Bugs. Hay dust. Burning sun. Stifling humidity. But we were farmers. So there.

And then came cabs. With heat for the winter. And air conditioning for the summer. Sure it's another level of complexity on the tractor - more wiring, more hoses, more valves, more pumps - but IMHO it's worthwhile. I'd rather be in a cab than slathering tons of DEET on during black-fly season or in the heart of mosquito season. I'd rather be in a cab than dealing with the seeds and dust during mowing and haying times. I'd rather be in a cab that's got some (doesn't take much) cooling and de-humidifying than having to bake and swelter in the summer heat. I'd rather be in a cab than having that snow blowing back in my face and melting in my lap as I clear the winter white, and I can mid-storm clear with a cab instead of having to wait until all 3 feet have fallen.

My vote goes to getting a cab.
My NEXT tractor will have one, that's for sure.

Good luck!!