Cab or no cab?

[chim]

Cab. Year round comfort. A/C in the Summer to deal with bugs, dust and heat. Staying warm and dry in the Winter is a biggie.

 

[Jframe]

For me the most useful tractor tool is my backhoe, and I have the impression that if you buy a given model of tractor the backhoe will almost invariably be smaller if you have a cab. But now I am plowing my driveway with a Bobcat skidsteer I just bought that has a cab and therefore has heat and a windshield wiper, and the 90 minutes it takes to plow would be a lot less enjoyable without a cab and heat. That said, the skidsteer sure is cramped. There isn't even a place to put a thermos or a coffee cup. I think I have worked out how to put in a rifle rack that will take an M1 carbine (I am old school) but there sure isn't much room. Some two years ago I was looking at the largest Yanmar, and it had a cab and a backhoe; it would I think even had room for my wife's little (30 pounds) dog. Work distracted me and the tractor was gone by the time I could get back to it, but I think on the whole it would have been the right solution for me.

 

[kf4uda]

No question for me, my next tractor will have a cab. I really regret not getting a cab on my 75hp NH.

 

[hosspuller]

A cab is great for field work. I don't have very much field work as I use it as chores. Meaning I have to get on & off multiple times for the task. The door as there's only one would be a pain and a time waster. So I have two open station machines.

 

[JohnDeereJoey]

No question that the cab tractor makes using the snowblower WAY more comfortable than the open station tractor. LOVE the new tractor with cab!

 

[deserteagle71]

The correct answer is, of course, one of each!

Two days ago I had to spend 5 hours picking up rocks out of a firebreak I maintain around my place. So that meant getting on the tractor, moving it forward 50 feet, getting off to pick up rocks, and then do it all again...about 200 times. Even though it was cold out there, I used my old open-station John Deere because I would have hated to open and close the cab doors on the Kubota each time. But most of the time, when I'm doing something that allows me to sit in the seat for extended periods, the cab is wonderful. I just smile when I see the bugs beating themselves against the glass in summer - and the snowflakes hitting the glass in winter - while I sit in comfort inside.

 

[JethroB]

Keep in mind that an open station may not go under a 7 foot door with the the ROPS up. And taking the ROPS down every time will get old quick. You will likely find their is not much height difference between a cab and ROPS on a given model.

 

[MechE1]

Cab. I added an 8ft door at the back of the garage, which is now a drive thru garage. Understandably not possible for all. Love the cab. Some pros/cons. Pros: heat/AC, no bugs, noise reduction, out of elements like rain/snow/sun, lockable, out of dust. Cons: Cost, height, opening door all the time, no ROPS storage options, hearing of things around you is muted. In MI, I wouldn't even question it. I've snow blown with both. Open station is not fun in the wind with a face full of snow.

 

[EddieWalker]

For those with cabs, is there a way to operate your tractor with the door open or removed?

 

[Steppenwolfe]

As is usual around here, I am the odd man out. I just bought a new MX5400 open station. My other two tractors, and mini ex are open station. My job requires me to be inside much of the time, and there is no way I want that on my tractors. Now mind you, these are my toys; every minute I spend on them is fun as well as productive. Being on the southern slopes of the Blue Ridge mountains we have fairly mild winters, a long spring and fall, and a not so bad summer. I don't farm so it's not like I have that as a job. I also went for the gear drive, shuttle shift; I hate HST... but, then again, that's just me.