Cab or Open air??

[Citydude]

My decision was an easy one. I just couldn't justify a cab when comparing pros and cons. In the end, the cab didn't produce more work out of the machine for me because I can always add clothes when cold and take some off when it's hot. Plus, I paid for the attachments I needed for the cost of a cab. Im pretty much of a Scrooge when it comes to money.....

 

[Looking4new]

I opted for the $8,000.oo cab on mine after putting up with no cab on the Farmall C for ten years. I blow snow in the winter time in shirt sleeves. Love the heat! If I had to do it all over again I would go for a bigger tractor with cab and A/C + heat.

 

[comancheflight]

You can go out and buy a Chevy Spark or you can buy a Cadillac. Both will get you from point A to B. One you don't mind taking down gravel pot hole roads with branched beating the sides. The other not so much. It's all about what your willing to spend vs comfort level. I have a cab and love it. Even have sound system with hands free blue tooth so I can answer and talk on the phone.
I have had both and can honestly say I love both. I love the comfort of the cab but the absolute main thing is they both get you from point A to B.

 

[Troysie]

Merry Christmas Folks
I purchased my first Cab Tractor in 2010, worked with open station for 25 years before that, still have an open station I rarely use, I would never consider going back to just an open station, I use my tractor for mowing, plowing snow and working in the woods.
I could not imagine being without my cab on those hot summer days mowing with the A/C on, then plowing snow at -15 C at night in the winter with a heated cab really makes one feel blessed.
My preference will always be a Cab.

Troy

 

[nybirdman]

I vote for the cab myself;we do have an open station for the woods.

 

[JerryK]

I'd love to have a cab in the winter when I'm blowing snow, and throw in a front snowblower. But, I live on heavy wooded acreage... and can't afford to have a cab tractor just for the cleared areas. Granted, I could do a lot of limb clearing/etc... but I know too many folks around here that have the corners of their cabs duck taped together to cover the smashed fiberglass... and broken windows/bent doors. I have enough things to worry about already horsing a big tractor in the trees. I also actually like being outside, that's why I bought this property. So, maybe someday...maybe... but donations are accepted if you feel like it...

 

[CCWKen]

I can't afford a new tractor unless I hit the lottery but I'm not so proud that I can't drive a used tractor. The 4 1/2 I have now are all used and perform separate functions. Still, I probably have less tied up in tractors than most have invested in implements. The Ford gets the most work so it's the one I plan to cab & AC. And I'm doing the build myself. I'm an antique auto restorer and custom car builder so the cab build won't be a problem. Finding the time is the problem.

I might even add heat but that's not a priority. As I often say; "Down here, when you want more heat, you open a door".

 

[Bigfoot62]

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


Thanks everyone, I live in the middle of Indiana. I love the open air in the spring/fall weather, but the summer humidity can be rough.

I don't think anyone has asked this question yet, but why not keep the open station tractor that you already have and just buy the new one with a cab? Then, you have the best of both worlds.
I have two open station tractors, and one with a cab. Looking to get an additional cab tractor soon. I put about 250-300 hours per year on all three tractors combined.

 

[Farmer495]

Really only two big reasons to buy open station:

1) Cost

2) Have to clear low doorways / buildings etc

and a third that can be really annoying with cab:

3) Frequent on and off

The other "cab" problems are not outweighed by heat & A/C and staying dry.


Have all open station here, mainly for $$$$ reasons.

 

[4570Man]

I don't think anyone has asked this question yet, but why not keep the open station tractor that you already have and just buy the new one with a cab? Then, you have the best of both worlds. I have two open station tractors, and one with a cab. Looking to get an additional cab tractor soon. I put about 250-300 hours per year on all three tractors combined.

Probably because he is not rich.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't have a cab on any of my tractors, but I want one really bad!!! I have a canopy of all of them and that helps, but I know that I could be even more productive if I could be out there during the heat of the day instead of making up excuses to wait for it to cool off. Then there are the bugs.

What I don't understand is the excuse given for not having a cab because they person driving the tractor isn't capable of not running into trees and branches. I've never hit a branch or tree that wasn't intentional. If I do not want to hit something, it's pretty simple to just steer around it. I hit them because I'm trying to get as close as possible and I'm too lazy to trim every branch that grows in my way of mowing. I trim some of them, and I will trim more of them, but it's not like I don't know they are there.

With a 75 to 85 hp tractor, I would have a batwing for sure, which should remove a lot of the temptation to drive into them with the tractor.

 

[sacarmic]

Everyone thanks a lot for your feedback very helpful. For those f you with cabs, do you think it makes the tractor much more top-heavy when working on hills?

 

[TripleR]

No doubt there has to be some effect, but after operating a total of four different ones in our hills over the years, we've never had any issues, we just set our wheels wide and put fluid in our tires.

 

[Buppies]

Do not notice a lot of difference in stability but comfort especially on those cold snowy days is money well spent

 

[SARG]

Don't have a cab on my machines ........... but there's a guy I see after every snowfall cruising around his long driveway inside his "globe" with shirtsleeves on that really makes me jealous.

 

[Sprinklerman]

My best friend bought a new mustang skid steer 20 years ago . The cab enclosure was an additional $ 1500 . He didnt want to spend the money . His new machine came in . The day before he was going to pick it up they were forecasting a MAJOR snow storm , I told him to get off the money , with a cab and heater you can stay on that machine for hours . He wised up real quick , had them install the cab . That machine worked 24 hours a day for 2 weeks . More than paid for the expense .

Do I want a cab for my tractor ? YES But when it snows I am driving the truck with a plow heat and stereo . the tractor goes out afterwards for clean up . So its open machine for me .

 

[SARG]

Yup .... One of the blessings associated with being retired is that you can wait out any storm and go clean it all up on a "nice" day.

 

[Fire Quacker]

I've got an open cab with glide shift; IMO, it's only flaws are not being hydrostat with cab and air. :dollarsign: :dollarsign:

 

[Threepoint]

Sacarmic, I'm sure the cab raises the center of mass a bit, but it's also adding considerably more weight overall, which I'd think would add to stability. I don't work sideways on steep hills, period.

One factor that hasn't been mentioned yet is age of the operator. I was quite happy plowing snow for 20 years with an open-station. Any more, I appreciate my creature comforts too much to flirt with frost-bite. Or heat stroke! I'd think central Indiana is perfectly capable of producing both!

 

[Rustyiron]

They sure do "stick it in ya" when it comes to the price they want for the cabs.