Cab or no cab?

[arcadelt]

Cab tractor. Got my first tractor when I was middle aged and comfortable financially, so it was a no brainer. Glad I did.

Question: why does your dog have on three collars?

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[wolc123]

Somewhere in-between works best for me. Much of my tractor usage involves open field mowing in the summer time. Doing that on an open-station tractor is almost unbearable. My first tractor was a 1951 Ford 8n (which I still have), and I remember some pain and sunburns from the days I used that for that task. My second tractor was a 1982 Ford 2000 that came with a big fiberglass ROPS canopy. That canopy completely took care of the sunburn issue, and it was always comfortable sitting in the shade under that canopy, and light breeze from the tractor's motion, no matter how hot that old summer sun got. The only trouble was when I used that tractor in the woods, I had to be careful with overhead clearance, and it would not fit in a standard 7 ft garage door.

My current tractor (John Deere 4120) came with a fold-down ROPS. I made a large, light-weight canopy that attaches to that, using a wood frame and canvas cover. I can lift it with one hand, and put it on or off in less than 5 minutes. It actually shades better than the old Ford factory canopy did, and I can easily remove it when I want to use the tractor in the woods. I also take it off for the winter (I use the tractor and loader and rear blade for snow removal then). With the ROPS folded down, it easily fits in a standard garage door, so I can clear the entries for our road vehicles).

If I made my living with my tractor, I would opt for a cab. I make mine mostly in an air-conditioned office however, so you could not pay me to get a cab on my tractor. I relish my time away from work outdoors (so long as I am not getting sunburned). I also love the open-station tractor in the winter time for clearing snow. Unlimited visibility, and not needing to keep windows scraped and clear is great. I am always plenty warm in my insulated coveralls, heavy mittens, face mask and wool hat. A snow blower probably wouldn't be so great, but a rear blade and front loader combo works good for clearing heavy or light snow.

 

[metalbender]

If you look at guys workiing the woods seriously, they have cab tractors with additional protection for them and the cab. Clearing snow off a half mile drive with an open station at -20 with a stiff breeze makes you realize there's not enough Eddie Bauer to be comfortable. That episode was with a bucket and rear blade, no blower. Add some windblown snow to the mix and it becomes apparent real quick that a cab is in order. In the summer I'll gladly watch the bugs and dust from the climate controlled cab.

 

[grsthegreat]

My kioti has 2 doors and a rear opening window and two side opening windows. to remove the doors would take alot of time. plus there very heavy and if you break one be ready to spend a grand or more.

but why in the world would i ever want to remove one. i have had my cab tractor for 9 years. i have 20 acres of trees. i had to spend some time limbing up the trails to allow for my tractor to pass thru, but i can groom my trails during the winter with no issues. i will never go back to an open station. theres just comfort in knowing i can move snow in tshirt and bunny slippers. and i love the ac in summer when working.

whats not to love. i have a lean to on my shop and the tractor fits just fine.

 

[chim]

We all have our own situations and preferences. Yesterday I was out on the old Ford 1210 using the RFM for some "sweeping" of finer debris left when the creek overflowed a couple weeks ago. Then I went to the other side and did the leaves that blew in from oaks on the other side of the road. It was nice enough weather that I enjoyed being on the open station.

I spent some very miserable time on the same tractor and its B7500 replacement in the Winter. It's a tossup which was worse - the extreme cold and blowing snow or the cold drizzle while plowing at the end of a storm.

When we first built here about 30 years ago I was thrilled to have something bigger than the 38" riding mower from the old house. At 41 years young back then, the weather didn't seem to be that much of an issue. I hadn't even considered that a homeowner might have a cabbed tractor. Having spent all our cash to build the house, (and with 3 boys to raise) there wasn't excess money anyway. Things change over time.

 

[danniell]

Especially if you are driving fields and you don't want to get burned in the sun, you should choose cab tractors. It is not necessary for a small garden or a few acres of land.

 

[oosik]

I've been out here for 39+ years - two tractors - both open station. Our summers are really nice - never too hot. Our winters don't get that much snow and are seldom below zero. I don't do anything with the tractor that would raise great clouds of dust or ash - using a rear cutter. I enjoy being out in the fresh air and if weather conditions are too extreme - I'll just stay inside. I have 80 acres.

I'm retired - there's always tomorrow.

 

[goeduck]

Our summers are not hot enough and our winters are not cold enough for me to justify a cabbed tractor (marine climate). But what I do like is a 4 post ROP and a lid for tree branches falling and to keep the rain off.

 

[buck12]

Our summers are not hot enough and our winters are not cold enough for me to justify a cabbed tractor (marine climate). But what I do like is a 4 post ROP and a lid for tree branches falling and to keep the rain off.

A good lid does help. I had a fiberglass canopy on my last tractor which helped with rain and sun. That canopy was tough. I beat the heck out it with tree limbs. It would flex but never broke. With all that said, I sure like my cab now.

 

[4570Man]

I don’t like working through the glass. A canopy makes summer pretty tolerable. If I was doing much work in the winter I’d definitely have a cab but with no snow to remove and nothing but mud my equipment doesn’t work much in the winter. I did just buy a cab excavator. It’s nice sometimes but I usually work with the all the glass open. Now canopy vs no canopy a canopy makes your day WAY better. Keeping the sun off is nice but keeping falling trees off is even better.