Buying Advice Cab or No Cab?

acme97 · May 6, 2011

What is the opinion on the value of getting either a DK45SE HST or DK50SE HST with the Cab? I think from the one dealer I can get to talk to me, it's about a $5K addition.

I will be using the tractor in the low country of South Carolina. Hot summers, mild winters. Right now it will be used to clean up about 14 acres that was clear cut 8-10 years ago. Lots of stumps, second growth 3-4 inches, briars, logs etc. I also have a Kubota L35 with a 4 in 1 bucket. I plan on putting either a 4 n 1 or grapple on the new tractor. After getting the place cleaned up, it will be used to maintain pastures, around barn, move round bales etc.

TractorTidy · May 6, 2011

Kioti has a beautiful cab. Roomy, easy to see out of, A/C and heat. Well worth the money.

grsthegreat · May 6, 2011

i LOVE my DK45SE HST WITH cab........id never buy another tractor without a cab. For all you get, its a cheap add on.

I now can listen to a nice radio/ipod while working in a controlled environment. Its quieter to operate. I have great lighting with the included exterior lights. The wipers make working in rain/snow a breeze.

It is probably less stable on hillside work, but i have mostly flat property so it doesn't matter to me.

The cab adds some ballast for easier loader operation. I also have filled rear tires. I have so far lifted close to 2000 pounds with my loader with the rear tires staying firmly on the ground. My loader mounted snowblower weighs 900#, and i hardly notice when its lifted :laughing:.

The cab filters outside air, so i don't get all dusty when driving in dirty environment. The wife said to say...it has 3 cup holders hehe

The only downside that i have found....no refrigerator/microwave or TV.:laughing:

charleyfarmall · May 6, 2011

Ever hear anyone say they wished they'd bought their tractor without the cab???

EastTexFrank · May 7, 2011

charleyfarmall said:
Ever hear anyone say they wished they'd bought their tractor without the cab???

Nope.

When I was younger and was immortal and invincible, I thought cabs were for wusses. Now that I'm older and smarter I would never own another large field tractor without a cab. The a/c during the summer is a Godsend and even with mild winters you still get those chilly days when the heater makes it really nice to be out and about. Add to that dust free mowing and not picking bugs out of your teeth or being chasing by a swarm of angry bees. No, give me a cab every time.

The only danger is low limbs and that expensive glass but you also have the L35. I get as close to the trees as I comfortably can and tidy up with the smaller, open tractor.

blueriver · May 7, 2011

I have 2 cab tractors and would not have it any other way. Comfort is the main deal ... also they help with air quality for allergies. Also its a better world when your spraying.

Just got to avoid the trees ...

acme97 · May 7, 2011

Thanks for all the feedback. I do like the cab and can see that it would make staying on the machine a lot more easier. The wife says - it would be nice to have when we're 80! We're heading out this morning to look at them again. I wish I could get a dealer to contact me that was closer to my property in SC, but being in DC, I'm heading to Maryland. May just have to trailer it myself.

Kyle241 · May 7, 2011

Depending on what you are doing, a cab is a great option. Based on the description of your tasks, the only thing to be careful of is in the woods a window can easily get broken (I am assuming you will use the tractor to clear the trees on your property?). I do a lot in our woods and that is why I am not considering a cab because I know I will break something! I would love one for clearing the driveway, cutting fields, tillage work but not for making trails and hauling firewood out. So if you're going to clear your acreage and most of the time you will be driving in a clear area, go for a cab.

bironacad · May 7, 2011

Started raining yesterday while I was filling some holes from stumps I removed, liked that I was inside, lol. OK we also are at the start of Black Flys here so closing the door has its rewards, lol. Now when I was doing the brush I was in and out of the cab a lot and wondered about the door opening and closing.........no still like the cab, lol, and then there is snow blowing...:thumbsup:

TripleR · May 7, 2011

I used cab and open station for many years and when it came time to buy an additional tractor, my wife "talked me into" going with a cab, as usual she was right. We still have some open station tractors, but that is what sons are for.

I am not 80, only 64, but it sure lets me spend more tie on the tractor and out of the house. A tractor is usually a long term investment and buying what you need now and twenty years from now always saves you money.

acme97 · May 7, 2011

That is a concern, breaking the windows. Most of the property has been clear cut so the trees are mostly under 4 inches. I plan on getting rid of most of that and planting xmas trees or fruit trees. About 9 acres will be pasture, so I'm hoping if I remain careful I'll not break any glass.

Made a big mistake (not) took the wife and she loved it. Bought the DK50SE HST with Cab, duel remotes on rear, FEL, Grapple, and 6ft Heavy Duty Rotary Cutter. But she was good with it! Say's I owe her an Iphone.

Now just have to figure how to get it to the property in SC!

Know anyone with a 10K trailer near DC that wants to get rid of it?

grsthegreat · May 7, 2011

acme97 said:
That is a concern, breaking the windows. Most of the property has been clear cut so the trees are mostly under 4 inches. I plan on getting rid of most of that and planting xmas trees or fruit trees. About 9 acres will be pasture, so I'm hoping if I remain careful I'll not break any glass.

Made a big mistake (not) took the wife and she loved it. Bought the DK50SE HST with Cab, duel remotes on rear, FEL, Grapple, and 6ft Heavy Duty Rotary Cutter. But she was good with it! Say's I owe her an Iphone.

Now just have to figure how to get it to the property in SC!

Know anyone with a 10K trailer near DC that wants to get rid of it?

congrats on the tractor...talk the dealer on free delivery....he owes ya.

I had my wife along when looking at tractors a few months back. it was at her urging that i got the cab.....im happy with the decision too. Of course now she got herself a new gooseneck horse trailer... oh well

blueriver · May 7, 2011

Good decision ... you will be happy. Congradulations.

grsthegreat · May 7, 2011

i have 20 acres of trees myself.....but ive trimmed them up so they dont hit the cab. i have 1.5 miles of groomed trails thru woods. the tractor wont leave the trails. Dont want to break that window.

also, if you get a rear mount snowblower...dont get the one with the manual chute rotator handle...there designed to destroy the rear window hehe.

my dealer was ordering a new window for someone that was too cheep to add hydraulic rotator.

oh ya, he was also ordering a new door for someone that tried to move the tractor out of his shop with the door open......bad decision

Kyle241 · May 7, 2011

Congrats on the new tractor. I am sure you will love it.

TripleR · May 7, 2011

Congratulations on the new tractor; good times to come.:thumbsup:

bironacad · May 8, 2011

Good stuff, what just and I phone? :thumbsup:

charleyfarmall · May 8, 2011

I actually have cab and non cab tractors and use them for different things. For short small jobs with lots of on and off, I like the open station tractor. Those are low hp jobs and the 30hp tractor is open. Mowing, baling, discing, planting are all done with a cab and I wouldn't have it any other way. If I had only one tractor ( assuming the acreage justified the size) I would have a cab over an open station tractor.

Dr_Zinj · May 25, 2011

I don't remember if Kioti has an option to put a sunshade (roof) attached to the ROPS (probably do). That would give you a moderate amount of sun and precipitation protection without the fear of smashed windows.