AirOpsMgr
Silver Member
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2023
- Messages
- 123
- Location
- Pike Co. Georgia
- Tractor
- Kioti DK5310SE, Scag Cheetah II 72"
I went through this a year ago as I moved back out to the country to 20 acres, about 6 of it heavily wooded and needed a new tractor. I grew up on OS tractors and a cab every once in a while working the family farm. I now live in middle GA and mowing 14 acres of grass in the summer swayed my decision to cab.Anyway, how many of you on here have gone through a simliar situation/buying experience at this stage of life? Did you choose a Cab or did you stay open-station? This is going to be a big purchase and I dont want to do it again. I know I could get a canopy but that will just keep some rain off of me.
I have mostly pines that are around 20 feet tall now. Currently 4 acres open and 12 wooded but I am still clearing with the excavator and burning lots of brush piles. Will probably end up with 8 open and 8 wooded. I guess the biggest concern I have and hear from folks is hitting tree limbs and such while in the Cab. I feel like I am pretty observant and careful with operating but mistakes happen.
Any opinions/experience/similiar situations welcome.
Thanks
Over the past year, I've been cutting trails through the woods & cutting back brush on the tree lines with the tractor, woods are 2/3rds pine and the other 1/3rd hardwoods; I've yet to sustain any damage to the cab with regular woods-work. Worst I've done is had branches push a side-view mirror in towards the cab a few times, no damage.
If you're paying attention, I don't see an issue ... would be no different if I was on an OS and got smacked in the face with a branch if not paying attention.
Sure, I've had lots of branches brush the cab, but they don't just jump out at you and smash the glass or the roof and wreck the cab.
It's all about your application and equally, your care / skill as an operator to not put yourself or your equipment in harms way.
Perhaps I'm just lucky, or maybe my conditions are just right for my application ... either way, I see many more benefits of a Cab than an OS & wouldn't change a thing.
Lastly, I sweat in the shower, so mowing with my ZRT (with a canopy and fan) when it's 95° with 100% humidity leaves me wearing layers of sweat & dust / clippings, with the cabbed tractor pulling an 84" mower, I'm MUCH more comfortable and don't require a change of clothes after the 1st hour, lol