Cab or Open air??

[jenkinsph]

Looking at a new 5075e or 5085e to replace a 5303. Kicking around getting a cab this time. Never owned one before and would like to get some options on owning a tractor with a cab. The three things I am concerned about are:

1. having to constantly clean the cab from dust or dirt to see good.

2. having to getting in and out a lot when adjust 3pt high to connect equipment. (I don't use iMatch)

3, breaking or scratching from limbs it when bush hogging.

Thoughts or am I overthinking it?

Thanks,
Scott

Just my observations having cab tractors.

1. When the dust is bad you will need to clear the glass of dust more often. The upside is you will stay clean including your lungs. I use a leaf blower to clean off the dust for the entire tractor, very quick.

2. I don't see the doors as an obstacle but I do use iMatch, I can raise the implement and easily reach the levers through the rear windows. I also use topntilt hitch makes everything easier imo.

3. I trim the limbs below 8' on my properties but for some of my customers places using a non rops mower saves a lot of grief. I don't drive through heavy branches with tractors anymore, I did when I was a kid, tractors cost too much to tear them up. Can be dangerous for the operator too. Glass is difficult to scratch but can be broken, while tempered glass is tough judgment is required.

I have had both open station and cab tractor and prefer cabs.

 

[jenkinsph]

Larry,
Nice job on the limb risers.

 

[square1]

For now I'll stay open for therapeutic reasons, If I ever disturb a nest of ground wasps I'll probably change my mind!

 

[TripleR]

Larry,
Nice job on the limb risers.

Thanks, they sure help, we got the idea from another member. My brother put in a lot of work getting it all right; had to take them off a couple of times to move attachment points and use rubber spacers to eliminate resonance, but very well worth the effort.

 

[fishheadbob]

I do fine with an open station. About 10 or 20 hours plowing snow anywhere above zero degrees , some time in the woods, and some open field time. A cab would be bad in my woods. I've been whipped in the face with saplings a few times and survived.
I brush hogged some yellow jackets 35 years ago and survived. I dress warm for snow plowing, not a problem.
It doesn't hit 100 degrees here so air isn't necessary, maybe I wore shorts and t shirt on very warm days.
Downside is that after a lot of years in the sun I see the dermatologist every 2 years or so to get the pre-cancerous guys frozen off for a $40 co-pay. And my hearing has tanked, a problem with a lot of old guys, but definitely helped along by some extra loud equipment over the years.
Make the choice that works best for you.

 

[RoyJackson]

I traded an open station Deere 4400 for a cabbed 4520 after two winters in Vermont. It was snow blowing that pushed me into looking for a cab. That, and getting older (I turn 66 in a week and I can't hack the cold like I used to).
It's a Curtis cab with heat, but no AC. The doors and front/rear windows can be removed, so it's the best of both worlds.I like the heat, but don't miss AC.

As others wrote...really depends on your circumstances.

 

[labhaven]

If it was in the budget, I'd go for a cab tractor in a heartbeat.

 

[KubotaToy]

If you are like most people I know, once you own a cab'ed piece of equipment, you wonder why you would ever own something without a cab. That being said, cost, potential breakage are concerns, but I have yet to break anything that would have not caused a lot of pain to me if I did not have a cab. I love AC and heat, period. I just sold my open cab loader and bought a closed cab version, so much nicer not eating dirt and listening to a music while moving dirt.

If Kubota ever makes a cab version of the L45 or L59, I will sell my L45 and get one asap.

 

[check]

The biggest problem with the cab in my view, is the huge cost.

For example, a Kubota B2650 costs a whopping $10,000 more with the cab than without the cab. Wouldn't you rather spend that $10,000 getting a bigger tractor?

 

[k0ua]

I don't have a cab, but there have been times I sure wished I did. Those times so far have been on very cold days pushing snow. When it gets really hot with high humidity, I just park the tractor and go inside. I do have a canopy, and that helps a lot with preventing the sun from beating down on you. It makes a huge difference. But it does not help a bit in the cold, and maybe even hurts some from not allowing the sun to shine on your body. Another reason to consider a cab are stinging insects. They can kill you. Of course with a cab you can laugh at them on the outside of the windows.