Adding Cab and Air to Smaller Tractors

[tb8100]

Hey all,

Looking into adding cab and A/C/Heat to sub-40hp tractors. There are plenty of factory cab models under 40hp, but few have air. The Mahindra, LS, and Kubota do, but Kioti, Branson, and TYM don't. If Mahindra and the others can do it, and if you can get A/C on a Polaris Ranger or RTV, it can be done on a tractor. Anyone ever taken on this challenge?

Thanks in advance!

Tim

 

[john_bud]

Sounds like a challenge, be sure to take pictures of the progress.

 

[WilliamBos]

Hey all, Looking into adding cab and A/C/Heat to sub-40hp tractors. There are plenty of factory cab models under 40hp, but few have air. The Mahindra, LS, and Kubota do, but Kioti, Branson, and TYM don't. If Mahindra and the others can do it, and if you can get A/C on a Polaris Ranger or RTV, it can be done on a tractor. Anyone ever taken on this challenge? Thanks in advance! Tim

Who builds a factory cab without air? What model? That would be like sitting in a greenhouse!! Post pics as you go, if you need pics of a factory sir set up, let me know. I have a pic of ours with the roof too open if you want it.

 

[Dr Dave]

Ckeck out auto a/c kits and parts at Aftermarket Cruise Control, Auto Air Conditioning kits , you can peice together a kit using an under dash unit.

under dash evaporator unit 5.5in. X16in. X12in. 195.00

condensor 14in. X20in. 160.00

compressor 2 grove, v belt 225.00

drier 30.00

Add hoses and fittings, you would need to build a bracket for the compressor. And mount the dash unit on the ceiling of your cab. They do have other size condensors, measure you radiator core for size.

Dave

 

[jkornbread]

Anyone actually tried this yet? I actually joined this site with this exact question.........

 

[Gary Fowler]

Not to seem a spoil sport, but I am of the opinion that you will have as much in this cab as you would with a factory cab if you count your labor for any value at all. There is just no way that you can build one as nice as the factory cabs and it might be near impossible to put a generic compressor on your tractor without chopping up the hood enclosure, not to mention routing the Freon lines to and from the evaporator coil, putting in an insulated sound barrier in the ceiling is also going to be difficult.

I think that if you want a cab, trade in your current tractor on one with a Cab with HVAC, radio, windshield wipers front and rear and rearview mirrors inside and outside. Building a cab is not something I would want to do and getting it insulated for sound attenuation wont be easy either. Glass for the cab will be another problem and if trying to use plexiglass, it is going to scratch up really easy and you cant use windshield wipers on it either. Factory cabs have the 4 point FOPS built in to protect the operator which requires some engineering skill to accomplish.
This is not something that an average homeowner could do. Sure you could build a framework, put in some doors and maybe even find some factory safety glass to build your frame around. A few folks here on TBN have made some semi-workable cabs for snow protection, but I don't think any of them have tried to cobble on a HVAC unit to their tractor.

Also it is not practical moneywise to install any of the aftermarket cabs as they end up costing double what you pay additional to have a factory cab on your tractor. Mine was about $4500 extra in 2010 and they may be a bit higher now, but the last time I priced the add on cabs, it was over $10K in parts alone to outfit it as my factory cab, not including installation cost.

 

[nybirdman]

Not to seem a spoil sport, but I am of the opinion that you will have as much in this cab as you would with a factory cab if you count your labor for any value at all. There is just no way that you can build one as nice as the factory cabs and it might be near impossible to put a generic compressor on your tractor without chopping up the hood enclosure, not to mention routing the Freon lines to and from the evaporator coil, putting in an insulated sound barrier in the ceiling is also going to be difficult.

I think that if you want a cab, trade in your current tractor on one with a Cab with HVAC, radio, windshield wipers front and rear and rearview mirrors inside and outside. Building a cab is not something I would want to do and getting it insulated for sound attenuation wont be easy either. Glass for the cab will be another problem and if trying to use plexiglass, it is going to scratch up really easy and you cant use windshield wipers on it either. Factory cabs have the 4 point FOPS built in to protect the operator which requires some engineering skill to accomplish.
This is not something that an average homeowner could do. Sure you could build a framework, put in some doors and maybe even find some factory safety glass to build your frame around. A few folks here on TBN have made some semi-workable cabs for snow protection, but I don't think any of them have tried to cobble on a HVAC unit to their tractor.

Also it is not practical moneywise to install any of the aftermarket cabs as they end up costing double what you pay additional to have a factory cab on your tractor. Mine was about $4500 extra in 2010 and they may be a bit higher now, but the last time I priced the add on cabs, it was over $10K in parts alone to outfit it as my factory cab, not including installation cost.

Exactly!No way you can duplicate a factory cab.Just trade tractors and save a lot of headaches.

 

[bumperm]

Exactly!No way you can duplicate a factory cab.Just trade tractors and save a lot of headaches.

Absolutely! I have a B3350 with cab, and a BX24 without. The under hood of the B3350 is absolutely packed with tubing and stuff seemingly filling all nooks and crannies - - you have to go between a couple hoses just to get to the oil filler! Had the roof off to install cameras and lights, that too is an engineering semi-marvel, with the AC unit pancaked out flat, save for the squirrel cage blower and there's a "love bump" to accommodate that in the headliner. Installing all that aftermarket, unless a kit was specifically made to do it, would be unimaginable. Time to trade up :c)

bumper

 

[CCWKen]

Nonsense. If you are so inclined, have the tools and knowledge there's nothing that can't be done in a home shop. I can certainly make one cheaper than I can buy one. But... I build cars for living. Then again; if you have trouble changing the fluids and filters, better have someone else do it. :2cents:

 

[nybirdman]

My son went thru this at work........they fitted a Curtis Cab($5,000+) to a small JD,no air,so its hot in the summer and drafty in the winter,very noisy.Now this is a top of line after-market cab,no way any home built cab is going to match a factory cab.IMHO