Are tractors with cabs becoming the norm?

dave1949 · Oct 30, 2014

I enjoy hearing what others think about cab or no cab. Someday I'll either replace my tractor or add one. To get a cab or not is really something I am not sure about. It helps to hear the opinions of others.

DK35vince · Oct 30, 2014

I have an open station and would love to have a cab.
If I am ever able to get a new machine it will be a cab model.

dieselcrawler · Oct 30, 2014

I grew up on a MF 135... no cab. We have both an open station L2850 and cabbed L4310 at work. Being larger and hydrostat, the L4310 gets a lot of use, loader work is much nicer with the hst. Plowing the snow off the parking lots is downright fun... but anything I do at home, and a lot of stuff at work too, the on/off, in/out process with the cab gets old. I can't see the loader/forks as well. I too enjoy the open air aspect most of the time on my own mechine, but do find that a canopy satisfies my desire to keep my head covered but still be open.

dave1949 · Oct 30, 2014

Covermytractor.com has some nice looking soft cabs that are reasonably priced, especially if your tractor has a canopy already. Someone here, I can't remember who, has one of their cabs and likes it.

I've often thought that would be a good compromise if it could be removed for summer and put back on easily for winter.

5030 · Oct 30, 2014

Depends on the use. I have cab tractors, both with climate contro, air ride seats and good stereo's....for field work. For around the yard/farm use, most times an open station would be better. With a cab tractor, especially big one's you have to watch your clearances all the time.

Texasmark · Oct 31, 2014

oldpilgrim said:
I think it's, "I resemble that remark. nyuk, nyuk, nyuk"

Not mine. inserts a P in front of the usual word.

nybirdman · Oct 31, 2014

I can't believe there is a 10 HP loss with the air on;may-be 2 or 3.I don't even notice with my L4240 HSTC.I do know that I have to run the air at 65 degrees because it gets too warm without it.

JerryK · Oct 31, 2014

I'd love to have a cab'd tractor for winter snow blowing. Maybe someday I could afford to buy one for just winter work. But the rest of the year.. I am out in the woods, and probably most of the time I am on and off the tractor so much that I'd wear out the doors... Plus, the reason I bought my property was to be outside enjoying life [ working on projects with my tractor is enjoyable time ].... and I am not much of an A/C type person, so I would probably have to take the doors off anywhilst.... before a tree or branch did it for me....

bigbull338 · Oct 31, 2014

theres really only 1 main reason to get a cab.thats if your working around alot of ground bees wasps and hornets as alot of people are allergic to being stung.

TSO · Oct 31, 2014

bigbull338 said:
theres really only 1 main reason to get a cab.thats if your working around alot of ground bees wasps and hornets as alot of people are allergic to being stung.

Uh....No.

As already mentioned...

Insects
Heat
Cold
Dust
Rain
Wind
Noise
Snow
Operator protection
UV protection

Before I had a cab, I was worried about all the frequent on-and-off I do on my tractor, and I thought a cab would get in the way. I have found that I was wrong, and the extra second I lose is well worth it.

Before I had a cab I was worried that I wouldn't be able to get anywhere near my woods. I have found that the cab construction (at least on my Massey) is very durable, and has withstood a barrage of items that would have caused injury to me on an open station tractor.

Before I had a cab I didn't think I'd really use the a.c. all that much ... boy was I wrong, I love having a.c.!

Honestly, besides the money, the only two factors that would keep me out of a cab in the future would be height limitations on my buildings, and if the tractor was PRIMARILY used for driving thru tree branches haphazardly.