cab build

Drtumolo · Nov 14, 2015

I am fairly new to the site and just picked up a 2007 John Deere 2305 loader. I am about to start the project of building a cab and was looking for any tips. I read many post here about building one but most of the post are a few years old. Any advice would be great.

chim · Nov 14, 2015

Welcome to the club. I wanted a cab for the first Kubota but never got up the nerve. After 10 years it was replaced with the current tractor and heading into the first winter with it (2012/2013) decided to go ahead and order some steel. It's coming up on 3 years since I finished my build and the cab still serves me well. It was chilly and windy here this morning at 09:00 when I started the last mowing of 2015, so I put the doors on it.

Roygage has an excellent write-up on his build and it was one of the most helpful for me. My advice would be to spend lots of time Googling any combo of the words build-cab-homemade-DIY-tractor-etc. You get the idea. There's value in reading about pitfalls to avoid, good sources for parts and much more.

Here's a link to Roy's info:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...t-tractor-cab-kubota.html?highlight=build+cab

Here's a link to my build:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...lly-decided-time.html?highlight=diy+cab+l3200

A couple of photos and a link to a real short video of the door latch:

http://vid1295.photobucket.com/albums/b628/jim_miller7/IMG_0812_zpshgtsabqx.mp4

Humblebub · Nov 15, 2015

I too considered building a cab but my fab skills are very limited. I found a small welding shop in Northern New Brunswick who makes custom cabs. His prices start at $2,750 CAD. I quickly decided that (for me) that was a far better approach. I have not regretted the decision. Last time I spoke with him he had 19 lined up on his build list. Just spent the morning swapping mower for blower as we get ready for the long dark period here in Eastern Canada.

Drtumolo · Nov 15, 2015

Chim, thanks for the reply. I had already read your build post. You did an awesome job with your build. I hope mine comes out even close to as nice. I see you live in Lancaster PA. I live about an 1.5hrs north of you.

chim · Nov 15, 2015

Howdy Drtumolo, are you from near Frackville?

We have a Montana at work that I ordered steel tube for not long after doing my cab. The weld shop has a lull right now and there's a guy we hired within the last year who is in the process of building a cab. It looks like he's going to do a terrific job. He's a real craftsman and I expect this build will make mine look more like it was done by the amateur I am. I'll get some pics.

Drtumolo · Nov 15, 2015

Chim, I am from Sunbury PA. Yours looks far from amature. Please post pics of the build going on in your shop. I would be interested in seeing it.

chim · Nov 15, 2015

Wifey and I were through your area a couple weeks ago. Made a Sunday trip to see leaves and hit a pizza place we like in Jersey Shore. I'll get some pics of the build going on.

Drtumolo · Nov 17, 2015

Chim, could you email me some pics of how you handled the foot area on your cab?

Drtumolo · Nov 17, 2015

Humblebub, that is a great looking cab that you had built. Unfortunatly no one I contacted local to me was willing to takle the project for a reasonable fee. Plus so far this has been a pretty enjoyable build.

Humblebub · Nov 17, 2015

Thanks. I love it and have not had a moment of buyers remorse. The guy that builds them loves his work and is proud of the outcome. A rare combo. He is not making a lot of money on each build but as he puts it, "I am happy and have no stress". If he was a little closer to me I would have him doing other stuff for me. It is a half day drive from my home.