Anybody thoughts/ideas on feasibility of sound dampening aftermarket cab.

super55 · Jul 30, 2020

Tinhack said:
If the panels are steel and the windows glass, you might have a chance. Otherwise, save your money and buy ear muffs. You can lower some Db's by insulating the inside of the top and making sure the exhaust pipe isn't facing the ground. (Up or forward is best.) The sample of a Curtis cab on a 4400 I saw ( https://www.machinefinder.com/images/machines/33/2081833/3073645_huge.jpg ) might keep you dry but that's about it. No chance of silence in that thing.

Mine is similar but has steel doors and all glass panels. Fit and finish isn't great but its not terrible but I think a good chunk of the noise is due to the cab mounting points on the driveline housing. I'm not really looking for miracles on sound dampening but I a similar year/model that is open cab and it is significantly quieter when in the seat.

JohnnyMX · Jul 30, 2020

Reminds me of my days of car audio and trying to get out any noise or rattle. Plenty of "dynamat"-like options out there that will adhere to metal. In a tractor you may need a foil backed deadener and a rubber pad on top. The good news is that in a tractor no one seems to mind a few extra pounds. We also used to use spray-insulation to fill any voids, but the stuff expands so you can't get too crazy.

Industrial Toys · Jul 30, 2020

Trouble is, sound deadening material isn't easily cleaned. There are times when a take a pressure washer into the cab of my wheel loader.

I put a fansy BOSE stereo that I bought at a thrift store for five or ten bucks into my Loader. Really, a TOTAL waste of time. I wear work tunes hearing proetection anyway. It's not terribly loud, but hydro whine is annoying to listen to.

CoyPatton · Jul 30, 2020

If you have lots of exposed hard surfaces, you may want to consider a sound absorbing material either in place of or in addition to sound isolating material. One of the best recognized sound absorbing materials are the ceiling tiles you see. The old 12”x12” ones glued and stapled to the ceiling and the drop ceiling panels.
While these drop ceiling panels also provide some sound isolating/proofing properties they also absorb sounds to greatly reduce the continued bouncing of noise in an enclosed environment. The drop ceiling panels can be purchased in many sizes and can be cut to fit unusual dimensions or oddball shapes. With a good construction adhesion you should be able to glue them to steel panels. They should be available at most home improvement big box stores and lumber yards

Industrial Toys · Jul 30, 2020

Everyone wants as much GLASS area in a cab. That doesn't bode well for soundproofing. I guess, curved glass nets different results, that only the engineeres that design modern cabs could probably tell you about.

Hey, maybe DRAPES on your windows, closed when you aren't looking out that particular window.

BukitCase · Jul 30, 2020

"curved glass nets different results"

Sure does, ever look at a parabolic microphone? Unless you had a cab with CONVEX walls (when looking at it from OUTSIDE) the curved glass would just AMPLIFY the noise similar to MUFFS, only at lower frequencies.

My old 580B has a ROPS, but not enclosed; at higher rpm's, the roof panel tends to resonate - MUFFS actually AMPLIFY that a LOT, but ear plugs diminish it a lot - adding muffs over the plugs actually WORSENS the noise, almost back to before using plugs.

Try just changing the operating rpm, you will affect the loudness of the cab - might get better, might get worse, but it WILL CHANGE... Steve

PILOON · Jul 30, 2020

You need to analyze what frequency sound you want to deaden.
Dense foam + lead is great for higher pitches.
Old shag carpeting will be very effective for lots of ranges.
Large flat metal will simply echo everything and simple strips of roofing membrane remedy that.

I played with sound around aircraft and practiced on my Cessna.
I had it to the point that I could hear the valves clacking and we could converse without shouting.
I practiced what I preached on my tractor as well and enjoy stereo at low volume.

Industrial Toys · Jul 30, 2020

I will go to my grave in love with carpet! In fact, line my casket with the stuff!

super55 · Jul 31, 2020

Great input. Not so sure about going with shag carpet on the walls and curtains for windows. While Im sure it would dampen the sound I don't want my the inside of the of the cab too look like a love shack. LOL Think I will probably buy some lower grade material that is mentioned earlier easy to clean and give a shot without a lot of $$ invested. Worst case is it should at least help provide a little more insulation for the cab in the winter months.

CoyPatton · Jul 31, 2020

super55 said:
Great input. Not so sure about going with shag carpet on the walls and curtains for windows. While Im sure it would dampen the sound I don't want my the inside of the of the cab too look like a love shack. LOL Think I will probably buy some lower grade material that is mentioned earlier easy to clean and give a shot without a lot of $$ invested. Worst case is it should at least help provide a little more insulation for the cab in the winter months.

Understandable! Shag carpet is great for absorbing sound because of all the long soft strands of yard.
But does give that 70’s feel/vibe