BX 2200 Canopy

rlk · Mar 22, 2003

Since getting a BX 2200 a couple years ago, I have wanted a canopy. I have looked at a bunch that others have purchased and made. Visited many web sites looking for affordable canopies, including Steve Carver's site. Saw Steve's message about the canopies getting scratched in shipment. Could not decide which one to purchase.

Then on 2/12/2003 Danny Williams posted a picture of a canopy he put on his BX 2200 in the Buying/Pricing Forum (see attachment). I recognized the top Danny used - it is off of an EZ Go Workhorse. I really liked the looks of Danny's canopy, so sent a message asking if he would consider making a set of supports for me. Since Danny does not have a Kubota FEL (he built his own), there was a question as to whether his metal supports would work in my BX. He shipped a set to me to try. They fit perfectly. The only problem was you would have to take the right front support off each time you removed or installed the FEL.

I took a few measurements and pictures and sent them to Danny. After he thought about it for a while, he and I decided on a different design. Danny fabricated the new supports and sent them to me. While they were in transit, I purchased an EZ Go top.

My EZ Go dealer sells new tops for $250 or used ones for $100. Since I plan to paint mine Kubota Orange, I decided to go with a used, white top.

Danny's reworked supports arrived this week, along with the hardware: two U bolts to attach the back bracket to the ROP; and bolts for attaching the top to the supports, and for attaching the front supports to the floor of the BX. Took about an hour to install the brackets and top. It was a perfect fit. See the next post for a picture.

rlk · Mar 22, 2003

This is my BX 2200 with the new canopy.

The brackets and top are very sturdy and allow the FEL to be removed/installed without the front supports getting in the way. The front supports also provide a good hand hold when getting on and off the tractor.

rlk · Mar 22, 2003

I installed a mirror on the right side, and will probably add a tilt meter to the left side.

Many thanks to Danny Williams for putting up with me and fabricating a set of supports for my BX 2200. These pictures, plus the ones he posted of his bumper; canopy; and FEL show his work is very high quality.

For the final test, took the wife out to see it, and she said it was "neat". Danny, looks like your work passed the ultimate test.

Thanks again for all your work on this.

OkieG · Mar 23, 2003

Bob,
Very nice. Looks like Danny was the right guy to go to for help! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

OkieG

Junkman · Sep 9, 2003

I am new to posting on the site and after seeing your picture, I am impressed as to your ingenuity of design. My question is, Who is Danny? I like the design so much that I would like to contact him and inquire about his making brackets for my new tractor to add the same type of roof. Thanks..... Paul

rlk · Sep 10, 2003

Junkman, Danny Williams used to post to TBN quite a bit, but lately he has been working on some other projects, i.e., restoring cars. Just talked to him through e-mail, and he is still providing brackets for BX 2200 Canopies. Danny's e-mail is: dannywilliams_52@hotmail.com

Good luck with your canopy, and be sure to post a picture when it is all done.

Bob

Slamfire · Sep 10, 2003

It is neat, kind gives your tractor the golf cart style. Maybe you can get a contract from the local greenskeeper. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

OkeeDon · Sep 11, 2003

I'm glad someone revived this thread - I joined in April, just after you posted it, and hadn't seen it before. I've been thinking I'd like front supports for a canopy rather than having it cantilevered. But, I wondered what it would look like - and now I've seen them, I like them.

There are lots of good reason to do it that way. I want to mount mirrors, and it seems like they'd have more support that way. I've built more than a couple of road racing cars, and I like the idea of a full cage, so I'll make my supports the same way. I plan to use 1.5", .095 DOM round tubing, and make a halo that will weld to the rear ROPS, and use the same tubing welded to the halo in the front to support it. It's also useful to keep stray branches from springing in from the front, and I could possibly rig side curtains to snap on if I'm caught in the rain.

If I fabricate this, I'm not worried about welding to the ROPS -- my resulting structure will be 10 times stronger than the existing design, and I'd rather be unhurt if the tractor rolls than to have a legal basis for my wife to sue them if the ROPS failed. In fact, we weld tabs and supports to the race car cages all the time - we just don't ever drill holes in them. I'd really rather not have the folding ROPS, and I'd rather have round tubing that square. Hmm - maybe I'll take their's off and just build my own cage.

Unfortunately, it will have to wait until my barn is built and I have a place to set up my tubing bender.

Junkman · Sep 23, 2003

A friend of mine used a car mirror and glued the windshield mounting bracket to the underside of the golf car roof.... he used a mirror from a compact car and I suggested that he find one of the very wide ones that were used in the big old Cadillacs of the 70's...