Cab or Not?

[Oldoak]

I always say "to each, their own". Every individual has their own personal needs and wants based on different circumstances.

Myself, just last week I placed and order for a new Kubota L5060 GST, (OPEN STATION) tractor. It wasn't a matter of finances, but a matter of personal preferences. Non Hydro, non cabbed, my choice.

 

[GregE]

I've had my cabbed tractor now for almost a year and a half. Previously I had an open station Ford 1630. (Now I have the JD 3033R). I went with the cab as during the summer the majority of my work is mowing about six acres. With the open station I would be blowing dark snot out for two days after. During the winter, my fingers would freeze, no matter how thick of gloves or mittens I had. I love the cab. The AC works great, and the heat is well received. Sure, the glass gets dusty in the summer, but a quick spray and wipe down fixes that. I'd hate to have to go back to the open station.

 

[rScotty]

Some folks say they cant afford the cost of a cab, well I say, some things should not be bought just for the sake of keeping up with the Joneses, but when it comes to your comfort when outside, go for a cab. You wouldn't sacrifice your comfort when it comes to seating in your home by sitting in a hard solid wood chair rather than a comfortable recliner, so why do it with your tractor.

Maybe we're getting to one answer anyway. Perhaps for some folks to cab or not is simply the trade off between comfort and convenience. Just speaking for myself, I don't pay a whole lot of attention to comfort. I don't think I'm weird or unusual, and I do avoid discomfort when I can - but tend to sort of ignore it if I can't.
What I mean is that "Comfort" is OK, but it just isn't as high on my "want it" scale as things like curiosity, or being in open air, or enjoying working up a sweat.
rScotty.
BTW, I figure you were spoofing about the chair. Solid wooden chairs have a lot going for them over recliners.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a canopy, just because it came on the tractor. It will be nice to keep the sun off this summer, although it does seem to amplify sounds such as the tranny whine. It also will come off.
I can't imagine going into the woods with a cab; I would need to have the glass company on speed dial. Just my preference. When the day comes that I want heat while moving snow, I'll probably put a plow on my pickup. Just my :twocents:

 

[wolc123]

Cabs make sense for folks who make their living outside on a tractor, but for weekend/evening users like myself I am not so sure. Being in one would be like being stuck back in the office. I do appreciate the big canopy on my tractor while out in the open fields in the summer however. With that, and a little ground speed to provide air movement, it is always very comfortable on the operator platform even on the hottest, windless days. I also like that I can take that canopy off quickly with one hand when I need to use the tractor in the woods. Other than about an hour of my labor, my canopy was free. I made it 14 years ago with a wood frame and an old canvas boat cover. After 10 years, I replaced the canvas (had a few small rips) with some other free stuff that I salvaged from my sisters old tent camper.

This is an easy one me: Expensive Cab : NO Free Canopy: YES

 

[grsthegreat]

I have a canopy, just because it came on the tractor. It will be nice to keep the sun off this summer, although it does seem to amplify sounds such as the tranny whine. It also will come off.
I can't imagine going into the woods with a cab; I would need to have the glass company on speed dial. Just my preference. When the day comes that I want heat while moving snow, I'll probably put a plow on my pickup. Just my :twocents:

i use mine on my 20 treed acres. also, if you look at professional logger operations....there all cabbed units.

 

[Jstpssng]

i use mine on my 20 treed acres. also, if you look at professional logger operations....there all cabbed units.

There's quite a difference in protection though; among other things forestry equipment is designed to go in the woods. Everyone has their preference.
Mine is to not cut a path wide enough so that I could run a cabbed machine with ease; I see enough of that when I'm on the job.

 

[Oldoak]

i use mine on my 20 treed acres. also, if you look at professional logger operations....there all cabbed units.

More like extreme heavy duty reinforced wire cages for the operators protection, not glass enclosures.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I went with cab on my last one, probably will never go open again. Cab not a problem in mature woods.

 

[Oldoak]

I went with cab on my last one, probably will never go open again. Cab not a problem in mature woods.

:thumbsup:

That's why manufactures offer both cabbed or open style ROPs for those who want cabs and those of us who don't. A tractor model to please everyone.