BX25 Cab

[GetALoadOfThat]

So with 400 hrs and several winters on my BX25 I figure it's time to do a DIY cab. I've been on here for some time reading and looking at what others have done and while I do like to work with metal I don't currently have a welder so decided to follow another member (RAECOREP and his $300 Cab) and do a wood build. I'm only one Saturday into the project yet but though I'd post some pics and let you see the progress along the way. I have several ideas in my head so hopefully they make it to the bench and on the cab. I have to say that already this is turning out to be an interesting project and I'm sure it's gonna pass the $300 mark, how far might just depend on my ideas. I'm hoping to keep this cab on all year long so I'm building it with the backhoe in mind. Thoughts and ideas welcome as I venture down this road! The pics of the plow (5' ATV) are from a parallel project to in some ways duplicate the BXpanded plow at a fraction of the cost. I live in Canada so shipping kills us, we have to do things ourselves!

 

[mjcountrybumpkin]

Kreg jig?

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Kreg Jig, every good project deserves one new good tool!!

 

[RAECOREP]

So with 400 hrs and several winters on my BX25 I figure it's time to do a DIY cab. I've been on here for some time reading and looking at what others have done and while I do like to work with metal I don't currently have a welder so decided to follow another member (RAECOREP and his $300 Cab) and do a wood build. I'm only one Saturday into the project yet but though I'd post some pics and let you see the progress along the way. I have several ideas in my head so hopefully they make it to the bench and on the cab. I have to say that already this is turning out to be an interesting project and I'm sure it's gonna pass the $300 mark, how far might just depend on my ideas. I'm hoping to keep this cab on all year long so I'm building it with the backhoe in mind. Thoughts and ideas welcome as I venture down this road! The pics of the plow (5' ATV) are from a parallel project to in some ways duplicate the BXpanded plow at a fraction of the cost. I live in Canada so shipping kills us, we have to do things ourselves!


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For a minute there, I thought that was pictures of my cab project. Looks great!

 

[kevin37b]

Curious , what is Kreg jig ?

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Kreg Jig is a tool used to make pocket hole's for joining wood ends together. Here are a few pics from this weekends progress. Have a few more pieces to fit, paint and then some glass. Had to order hinges online as I wanted lift off hinges and couldn't find them at any of my local small/big box stores. Hopefully they show up this week. Once I get the frames for front and rear windows complete I'll take them to my glass place to be fitted. In case anyone is wondering, every joint is glued with PL Premium construction adhesive and then screwed, I hope that does the trick. Stay tuned and thanks for the comments.

 

[J F]

Curious , what is Kreg jig ?

Kreg K4MS Jig Master System - Amazon.com

GREAT tool, I've used it 100's/1000's of times in my carpentry work.

Neat cab project. :thumbsup:

 

[wawajake]

Very nice looking ..............just a headsup, I used wood (hardwood and mahogany) also for my diy cab, but you should be prepared that cab might flex . You may want to try it firmly mounted to your tractor and drive thru some holes and swales or ditch type situations that get different weights on different sides of tractor........BEFORE you put glass in it. I put plexiglass surface mounted on the wood (using screen clips) and at times they still pop loose.............see pics of mine in my Feb post

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Thanks for the notes folks. I did take the cab out to do some snow clearing a few times before these pictures and while there was some creaking from the wood I think that's normal until I get it mounted really well with the weight of the glass. I'll be looking to get glass installed this week and maybe even a heater before the snow is all gone, ;o). I did two coats of Dupli-Color Bed Armor Truck Bed Liner from Crappy Tire ($40/qrt), that took 3 quarts. It seemed to cover well so I don't think I'll need to do a third coat, I'm still considering some kind of clear coat to add a little shine, thoughts?. The roof is a 4x4 sheet of 3/8 ply, I also picked up a few bits to do some electrical hook ups but haven't got to that just yet. I'm using a 2000lb winch to lift the cab, I think the weight is about 150lbs at this stage. Enjoy.

 

[Zick]

Looking good!

:thumbsup:

 

[tractorgp]

Thanks for the notes folks. I did take the cab out to do some snow clearing a few times before these pictures and while there was some creaking from the wood I think that's normal until I get it mounted really well with the weight of the glass. I'll be looking to get glass installed this week and maybe even a heater before the snow is all gone, ;o). I did two coats of Dupli-Color Bed Armor Truck Bed Liner from Crappy Tire ($40/qrt), that took 3 quarts. It seemed to cover well so I don't think I'll need to do a third coat, I'm still considering some kind of clear coat to add a little shine, thoughts?. The roof is a 4x4 sheet of 3/8 ply, I also picked up a few bits to do some electrical hook ups but haven't got to that just yet. I'm using a 2000lb winch to lift the cab, I think the weight is about 150lbs at this stage. Enjoy.


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Good work would like to take a look after you finish.

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Well she's complete, well phase one anyway. I still have a few small things to do but for the most part it's done. Today I did some paint touch ups a little electrical and installed the heater so I'm looking forward to giving it a try, not sure if we will get any more snow or not. I'll have to plug a few holes in the floor and under the seat to keep the draft out but I figure a few pool noodles and maybe landscape fabric could do the trick there. The windows are safety glass rather than Plexi or Lexan and I used lift off hinges so everything could be removed in summer. I put a little video on You Tube as well in case you want a different look, however I used my phone so I'm not sure how the quality will be. Anyway folks, it was a great little project, I'm looking forward to using it more and I thank you all for your comments. If there is something you like say so, if there is something you don't like please let me know how you think I can change it.

BX25 DIY Tractor CAB - YouTube

 

[J F]

Very cool, nice job. :thumbsup: It will be interesting to see how she holds up.

 

[bigjlittlet]

how did you fasten your cab to the tractor

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Right now just by gravity. I did make an allowance in the front to use the existing bolts by your feet but it sat so well that I didn't see the need. I do still plan to attach to the ROPS for added stability, just haven't done it yet.

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

Hey gang. Here's a few videos of the new cab, one is a walk around and the other is the cab in action. I'm sure there will be a few mods over the summer. Stay tuned!

BX25 DIY Tractor CAB - YouTube

Snowclearing 2014 - YouTube

 

[GolfAddict]

Don't you wish clearing snow really went that quick? :laughing:

 

[GetALoadOfThat]

I certainly use to wish snow clearing went that quick. With my setup now (blower, plow and cab) I enjoy it so much I don't want winter to end. We've had a few days with small amounts of snow overnight and I get up early just to push it around before the sun has a chance to melt it, LOL. Meanwhile what you don't see on the security cam video is the second half of my driveway, there's another 100 feet in the back and if you look at the time stamps I've been completing the whole thing in less than 15 minutes, about the same time it takes my neighbors to get all dressed up, dig out their walk behind blowers get them gassed and warmed up. Thanks for the comments.