Cab or No Cab

[montelatici]

I never thought about an air conditioned and heated cab before, but in looking at some larger tractor options I have been considering one at the expense of a backhoe (which is a more expensive option than a cab in most cases). I have a small backhoe already on the BX and it is capable enough for the backhoe work I normally have to do.

Also, and I don't know if this is reasonable, but a fairly experienced fellow I know suggested that the backhoe has plenty of power but the tractor is too light to exploit its power, i.e. the BH can pull/lift the back of the BX limiting its use in heavy jobs. I have noticed this when pulling out stumps. He suggested that the BX BH performance can be improved by using a large tractor's FEL to stabalize the BX by dropping the large tractor's FEL on to the BX's FEL making the BX with stabilizers down relatively immovable. His point being, why don't I buy the 50+ HP tractor with only the FEL (w/o BH) and buy a cab instead and rely on the BX BH for the few times the BH is needed. Sounds outrageous, but could he have a point. On the other hand, would all the BH power bend the BX?

Mowing my fields with a real big rotary mower in air-conditioned cab seems appealing to me.

Any comments.

 

[TripleR]

I have a cabbed tractor and on a big tractor I wouldn't be without it. I pull a Woods 10 foot rotary cutter in the summer and the AC and filtered air make the day much more enjoyable and I don't wind up sneezing all night.

We are rebuilding our old backhoe and rent one on the occasions we really need one.

 

[dave1949]

Is your backhoe subframe mounted or 3pth? Some have had trouble with high stress on 3pth backhoes.

Don't know about pinning the little tractor bucket with the big tractor bucket. Sounds like you may risk some damage if you get it really torqued and something goes whang!

If you get on top of what you are pulling on with your BH bucket, you will be prying against the ground, you might see your rear tires flex a bit, but the ground won't give
Dave.

 

[oldnslo]

Depends on what you going to do with the tractor. Farmed for years and owned both with cab and without cab.

Cab is nice in the winter blowing snow or doing spring and fall field work when it is cold out.

During the summer I hated the cab even with AC. The AC typically forced me to drop a gear using a 85 HP tractor. The compressor pulls that much power. Was told at one time around 6 - 8 HP.

Cab windows are pain to keep clean when doing field work also. Make night vision more difficult.

Around trees Cab windows are expensive.

I would advise an extended test drive under your normal operating conditions and them decide.

 

[First one]

I didn't plan on buying a cab tractor, but got a good deal on it . I use mine mostly mowing blueberrys and my field, and moving snow around. Didn't really think about having the cab and how it limits you to how close you can mow to the wood line until I had bought it. (first tractor) or how getting into the woods to get my fire wood, would mean cutting roads out to twitch from,or cutting low limbs.But The cab is nice ,warm in the winter ,quite while mowing( besides the radio) nice to be able to work in any weather, even at night. I guess It's all what your going to do with it.
Even though I still sometimes think I should have bought a open station tractor ,I'm glad I got the cab . I know as I get older I'll appreciate the comfort more. Good luck!!

 

[montelatici]

Well, I have two other open tractors as well and the BH is frame mounted on the BX24.

So, the idea of clamping down on the FEL of the frame mounted BH on the BX24 doesn't sound crazy?

On the other hand, I get the point of getting the cab hung up on limbs etc. Could be costly if one is not careful.

 

[E/S]

I went through a similar situation, a year ago I decided to go with a cab and have not regretted it ( so far ). It is great to plow snow, do fuels reduction and grade roads in comfort.
I guess I am getting to old to enjoy being exposed to the elements all day ( or night ) any more.

E/S

 

[jenkinsph]

I have cabs on both of my newer machines and have a canopy on my older 820. In the spring and early summer I really enjoy the canopy tractor but when in inclement weather the cabs are tough to beat.

As far as damaging the cabs or breaking the glass just consider that driving your open station through the trees is going to be expensive too at some point. Especially if a branch pins your neck against the top of the seat back. Long term it is better to clear a path for the tractor unemcumbered and when needed get off the tractor and walk through the trees.

 

[EastTexFrank]

If you want my 2 cents, here it is ... get the cab.

I spent over 20 years running open tractors and during the Texas summer I just got tired of sweating, being covered in dust and chaff, picking bugs out of my teeth and getting sunburned to ****. Not only is that a/c a lifesaver during the summer, the heater isn't all that bad during the winter either.

I work a lot around trees and you do have to be careful. I've broken the hazard flasher lights a couple of times but thankfully no glass. I spend more time backing up to mow under trees now but when your sitting in an a/c cab a few minutes more here or there doesn't matter.

It's just so nice to be able to go out and mow all day and not have to strip at the back door before the wife will let you back into the house.

One thing I will say is to get washer/wipers on both the front and back windows. You'll thank me.

 

[mjncad]

You'll be enjoying the comforts of a cab every time you use your rig; but will only enjoy the backhoe on the occasions you need it.

I wish I had a cab for all the above mentioned reasons.