Another sunshade/limb deflector

[hans2]

This is a compilation of ideas I have gathered from TBN.

I was originally going to bunjee on a tarp when I wanted shade but there are just too many low branches around. Second, I found the branches really thunk you in the head harder with that brace right in front of the driver. They pop right down into the cage and get you. Not what I was expecting.

The roof was added instead of the tarp to prevent this. I don't really want to weld on a steel roof because most of the year I enjoy the sun and sky when I am out.

I shimmed the loader valve by about a 1/4" so the loader can be taken off with out removing the cage. The cage can be removed by two guys in about 2 minutes. (6 bolts hold it on) I drilled the receiver mounts for 4 bolts on each side but that turned out to be a overkill.

I used a compound angle so the risers follow both the rake of the tractor's nose as well as matching the width and angle of the ROPS. (My father in law made his cage square and it is functional but...) This should also make it easy to add expanded metal to the sides in the future.

As some have mentioned the roof makes it louder to operate. Has anyone tried foam or dynamat yet? I noticed the canopy on a L39 has some sort of rubber mat on the top but I don't know if it is there for noise.

 

[hans2]

Another view

 

[hans2]

Using the hitch receivers so the cage is removable is an idea I got from this board.

 

[hans2]

Finally, I used the 2 ROPS bolt holes to attach the angle iron on the back.

 

[Larstan]

Nice looking shade Hans, /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I really like the idea of the removeable wooden roof insert. One thing I never liked about canopies is that when doing FEL work, sometimes when the loader is elevated, you cannot see the bucket without leaning down and forward because the canopy blocks the view. I saw one member, can't remember who, that inserted a clear plexiglas panel at the front of his canopy so he could see when doing loader work, your removable wooden panel allows you to accomplish the same thing.

I also like how you made the system removable by using the reciever hitches and existing ROPS bolts.

Nice project.

 

[Parttimer]

Hans, I know this is an old post, but this is my favorite canapy project so far. I will be attempting my own version of your design this summer. This is a great design, and especially the hitch reciever for removability. I thank you for your ingenuity getting me started. I am so excited to get started building things for my new tractor tc-30 with fel and 758 Backhoe. Thanks again for the idea. hope to see more from you.

Dave