Building a cab

[TonkaToy]

OK, maybe smart, maybe foolish, next summer I want to take a shot at building a cab for my BX25. Between some ingenuity and flying by the seat of my pants, I try building/constructing just about anything, with decent results to throw it on the junk heap results. Always eager to try and because Kubota does not make a cab for the BX, and for the price the AM guys want, versus what you get, I would like to give it a shot.

I don稚 have time to do this going into this winter, so between now and next summer, looking at different plans, ideas, and what the best materials would be. For the framing, what is looking to be a good choice is either 1 or 2 inch aluminum or PVC fence posts that are sold at the big box hardware stores. They are relatively strong, already painted (black is what I am looking for), but at the same time would not add too much weight that steel tubing would. Also, the steel would have more rust problems down the road, while these PVC or alum posts usually have anywhere from 10 to 25 year warranties for rust (for their intended purpose of fence posts).

For the "glass" not sure yet. Plexiglas is readily available and workable, could be wrong but I think that plexi scratches quite easy. Not sure what the MFR use on their cabs, Plexiglas, polycarbonate, or other material? Will probably use stainless steel bolts throughout with nylon threaded lock nuts to avoid loosening over time.

I need to find a good hinge system for the hard doors, I would like to avoid soft vinyl doors. Need to find an easy obtainable and workable material that would make for the roof. Also need to devise something for BH operation, be it the back window completely lifting out or a hinged flip type window.

This would be the main part of the cab, assuming this goes fairly well, then adapting a wiper system (maybe a scrap yard salvage I can adapt) for the front window, and also a heater system will need to be thought out, among other things...but this would be something to tackle later assuming the main cab structure comes out OK.

I plan to take my time, not a rush job, in building this and believe this should easily come in below $2000, hopefully less than $1200, which an AM with hard doors, wiper and heater and all would be in the $4000 to $5000. I haven't used one of these AM cabs but I have seen many negative or not too happy comments on the AM cabs.

Anyone have any ideas for materials? Mainly concerning the frame, glass enclosure and rooftop. I am hoping to find stuff that is easy to find, not special order stuff that might take months receive or be very expensive. Also materials that I can work, not materials that need highly specialized equipment or training. I do and try a lot of things and am equiped with a variety of woodworking, welding, and other tools, lots of ambition (skill?...depends on the project and who you ask), but I don't build commercial jets.

So you think I am nuts?

 

[minnebota]

You're not nuts, just frugal and creative.

Other than the increase in noise I have been delighted with the hard side Curtis Cab I put on my BX24. It is the same as the cab for the BX25. However, at a price of about $3800 US including shipping and tax it is not cheap. I did not put the heater option on mine and although I live in Minnesota I have seen no real need for it.

As far as your future project a few thoughts come to mind. A trip to the auto junk yard may yield some useful parts. A car hood might be found of a suitable size to serve as your roof. One with a Porsche emblem will make your tractor go faster. An SUV or hatchback rear window (with wiper) might be found that could serve as your windshield.

On the Curtis Cab the door hinges are simply barrels that slip over a pin. Any hinge system with a removable pin would allow you to take the doors off for the summer. Take a look at the hinges on the doors in your home. Your door latching hardware could be as simple as the hardware used on screen doors.

For other sheet flat surfaces (e.g. door panels) don't overlook the option of using laminated structures. A door panel of 1/4 inch furniture grade plywood (higher ply count) skins over a foam filled lattice could provide a nice rigid structure.

Just a few random, spurious thoughts to get you started. Please post pictures as you go along.

Good luck.

 

[mcd176]

Tonkatoy,

I built a cab for my L4200 in 2007 it was a fun project, i planned alot and it all went pretty smooth, click the link at the bottom of this post.

I used 1 1/2 tube for the frame, made the top from 1x6 and plywood then covered it with fiberglass mat and resin and had the tempered glass custom cut and tinted and attached it with window urethane.

if you have any other questions contact me im happy to help.

Mike

 

[TonkaToy]

minnebota, my family and friends might disagree with you, many have given me that "you are crazy" look over the years when they hear of what my "next" project is in that point in time.

What to use can be an endless list, finding what is easy to come by, doesn't cost a fortune, and a good fit, is where I need to give a lot of thought. Paying a visit to the scrap yard is definitely in the plans, a hood could actually be a decent choice I had not thought of. Some kind of lift of hinge system is also a must for the convenience of as you mentioned, removing the doors in the summer. I live in Montreal, Canada, and our winters are similar, maybe ours are a bit colder and longer. Plus the fact I don't tolerate cold the way I used to when younger, I definitely want to do some kind of heater.

mcd176, WOW, that is one impressive homemade cab. I can only hope my end product would look like that. Your second thread with the construction details, haven't had a chance to look at beyond the first page, but what was the deciding factor in going with the tempered glass over the lexan? Do you know what Kubota and the other MFR's use for their cabs, is it tempered glass? It just may be the way to go, but my original thought was that tempered glass might add a lot of weight, and that for the overall situations a tractor works in, could be a bit fragile; this is just my initial opinion, but what is your experience on this?

Thanks everyone for the feedback, any and all suggestions are appreciated.

 

[corey9212]

I was browsing the net trying to find ways to seal the holes in my floor to completely seal my cab and came across this link that is filled with great ideas. This guy built his own cab from scratch and it looks professional, he describes parts and materials and step by step instructions. It's really cool
http://lifeonhighway9.blogspot.com/2011/03/building-tractor-cab.html

 

[mcd176]

mcd176, WOW, that is one impressive homemade cab. I can only hope my end product would look like that. Your second thread with the construction details, haven't had a chance to look at beyond the first page, but what was the deciding factor in going with the tempered glass over the lexan? Do you know what Kubota and the other MFR's use for their cabs, is it tempered glass? It just may be the way to go, but my original thought was that tempered glass might add a lot of weight, and that for the overall situations a tractor works in, could be a bit fragile; this is just my initial opinion, but what is your experience on this?

THANK YOU Tonkatoy!

just be patient and yours will turn out nice as well, I went with tempered auto glass for a few reasons, if it breaks it breaks into tiny pieces, tempered glass is what is in automobiles except for the windshields and that is layered glass, glass is basically scratch resistant and I paid less for custom cut glass than lexan would have been. It is heavier but yes OEM cabs have tempered glass in them, My tractor lives in the woods as much as in the open fields and ive hit a few branches and had rock hit and so far no breakage.

Mike

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Hi there,
So I'm thinking about doing the same thing in the spring/summer. Have you made any definite decisions based on your research? How will you account for the BH? And the noise, will this be an issue, I think for me I'll want to account for it somehow.

Thanks,

OK, maybe smart, maybe foolish, next summer I want to take a shot at building a cab for my BX25. Between some ingenuity and flying by the seat of my pants, I try building/constructing just about anything, with decent results to throw it on the junk heap results. Always eager to try and because Kubota does not make a cab for the BX, and for the price the AM guys want, versus what you get, I would like to give it a shot.

I don稚 have time to do this going into this winter, so between now and next summer, looking at different plans, ideas, and what the best materials would be. For the framing, what is looking to be a good choice is either 1 or 2 inch aluminum or PVC fence posts that are sold at the big box hardware stores. They are relatively strong, already painted (black is what I am looking for), but at the same time would not add too much weight that steel tubing would. Also, the steel would have more rust problems down the road, while these PVC or alum posts usually have anywhere from 10 to 25 year warranties for rust (for their intended purpose of fence posts).

For the "glass" not sure yet. Plexiglas is readily available and workable, could be wrong but I think that plexi scratches quite easy. Not sure what the MFR use on their cabs, Plexiglas, polycarbonate, or other material? Will probably use stainless steel bolts throughout with nylon threaded lock nuts to avoid loosening over time.

I need to find a good hinge system for the hard doors, I would like to avoid soft vinyl doors. Need to find an easy obtainable and workable material that would make for the roof. Also need to devise something for BH operation, be it the back window completely lifting out or a hinged flip type window.

This would be the main part of the cab, assuming this goes fairly well, then adapting a wiper system (maybe a scrap yard salvage I can adapt) for the front window, and also a heater system will need to be thought out, among other things...but this would be something to tackle later assuming the main cab structure comes out OK.

I plan to take my time, not a rush job, in building this and believe this should easily come in below $2000, hopefully less than $1200, which an AM with hard doors, wiper and heater and all would be in the $4000 to $5000. I haven't used one of these AM cabs but I have seen many negative or not too happy comments on the AM cabs.

Anyone have any ideas for materials? Mainly concerning the frame, glass enclosure and rooftop. I am hoping to find stuff that is easy to find, not special order stuff that might take months receive or be very expensive. Also materials that I can work, not materials that need highly specialized equipment or training. I do and try a lot of things and am equiped with a variety of woodworking, welding, and other tools, lots of ambition (skill?...depends on the project and who you ask), but I don't build commercial jets.

So you think I am nuts?