Cab Owners - Defrost?

[PLanger]

Looking to buy a new tractor in the 50-60hp range with cab to replace my NH TC40D which has been a perfect tractor always - love it. The problem is the winters are long here and I have a driveway of about 1/3 mile + a building site to keep clear - the open platform isn't getting warmer as the years pass by. I use a 3 pt 7' blower + FEL in the winter for the most part. If snow is really heavy and wet (doesn't blow), I will put a back blade on and run. My question is if any of you move a lot of snow with a cabbed tractor and do you have good luck keeping your glass clear? I am assuming that a front and back wiper would be mandatory. What model tractors/cabs do you have? Any issues when the wind is blowing and the snow is flying out the snow blower (probably worst case situtation)? I usually look like a snowman right about then, sometimes having to stop and let the flying snow clear, but can keep moving after that. Not always a lot of fun. BTW, I am open to most brands of tractors - most seem pretty darn good now. Quieter comfort is sounding more appealing.

 

[George2615]

I have a smaller tractor, 36HP LS XR3037HC. Bought it a little over 2 1/2 years ago and it the first cabbed tractor I've owned. The cab is way warmer and better sealed than older cabbed tractors I've used in the past. I plow with mine, no snowblower. I built a QA power angle plow out of an old truck plow for mine. Cab has heat and A/C and the heat is great. I have wipers F&R and hardly use them. In the past 2 winters I've used it the heater does a great job of keeping the windows clean and fog free. Another great feature of having a cab is you don't have to wear heavy bulky clothes or gloves except when you get back out. LS as well as most brands have tractors in the HP range you are looking for.

 

[RjCorazza]

I also have been out in the elements for enough years, and moved up to a cab this spring. I spec'd front and rear wipers and a rear defroster. Most of the YouTube videos I have seen with cabbed snowblowers the glass is just wet and the operator is wearing light clothing. I suspect the heater keeps the glass clear of ice and snow for the most part. We'll see this winter. I will add that with my added front and rear lights (220w total) the defroster pushes the charging system over its ability. I should have ordered the higher capacity alternator (from 60a to 90a in my case).
I also had to add hydraulic chute control to my manual blower.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I have a 2006 cabbed Kioti DK45. I bought it cabbed in part because I knew snow moving would be a major use. It has both front and rear wipers and, once the engine is warmed up, the defroster does a pretty good job of keeping the windows clear of frost and fog. I have a hydraulic chute rotator on my 6' blower, which helps me aim the snow stream where I want it to go (and keep it from obcuring my vision when the wind howls!). It would have been nice to also have hydraulic adjustment of the deflector at the top of the chute, but I only have one set of remotes.

 

[PILOON]

My tractor has my home made cab on it.
I heated the interior using a small Carter heater (plumbed from the engine cooling circuit) which raises the cab temp to a comfort level, however the windows did fog up mainly due to condensation on cold glass.
My solution was to direct air by using 12 volt computer 'muffin fans'* onto the affected areas.
The moving air really does a remarkable job of keeping the glass clear.

*small, compact and efficient and affordable

 

[PLanger]

Thanks for your responses guys. Looks like I should watch out for the opportunity to spec a rear defroster and high output alternator. I have added LED work lights to my current tractor that do not draw very much power, but more power availability is always better. I also run hydraulic twist and tip on my chute which helps a ton for dealing with different wind conditions and snow placement, but I inevitably end up covered with snow if there is wind because of the swirling along the twists and turns of the driveway. Has anyone a nomination for the most comfortable and quietest cab with best features? Some of that is highly subjective I am sure.............

 

[cruz54982]

I have a tym T503 with the loader mounted blower and all electric over hyd controls and just love it . 2 years of use and wish I had gone that route years ago . todays small tractors are all well built and will do a fine job in any brand it just depends on your likes and dislikes and of course dealer ! dealer ! dealer ! enjoy the change !

 

[George2615]

Its been over 2 years since I bought my LS and I compared a lot of tractors then. At the time, LS had the best price and the most standard features.

I have not kept up with other brands and features but here's some LS models that fit your requirements. The radio and rear wiper are options on some and standard on others. LS Tractor USA Check their site. LS does come with a lot of standard features that other brands charge extra for. And no I don't work for LS, I just like mine.

XR4150C or HC - 50HP, 70A, nice cab layout, heat & A/C, dual rear remotes, choice of tires

XR4155C or HC - 55HP, 70A, same features

XU6158C - 58HP, 70A alt, same features

XU5055C - 55HP, 55A alt, same features

XU5065CPS - 65HP, 55A, same features

XU6168C or CPS - 68HP, 70A, same features

 

[Kubota 2350]

My JD keeps the windows clear in the winter, and also the cab is nice and warm.

Kubota has some nice cabbed tractors, but I don't know how well their heaters work.

 

[crreed67]

I've got a Massey Ferguson 1635. Only 36 HP but has a cab. Awesome in the winter. Rarely need the wipers and never have frost or ice on glass. Really gets warm enough that I have to open a small rear/side window. Like the other good people here with cabs will tell you, once you have one you're not sure why you waited so long to get a tractor with a cab.

 

[TripleR]

We have one in my L5740HSTC but not in the M8540HDC, defroster is nice but not essential down here.

 

[jajiu]

I have a Kubota L3560 HSTC and the heat will drive you out of the cab. There is a rear window defroster, wipers front and rear, and adjustable vents all around the inside of the cab you can adjust to blow on you, the windows, or where ever you want. The A.C. works great in the summer, and NO BUGS! I have had several Kubota open station tractors and hated the winters. Now, I have a plow and grader blade and chains for the tires and nothing stops it.

 

[pizzaguy]

I have a Kubota 3240 and it produces enough heat to drive you out of the cab. I do not have rear window defrost and my solution was to mount a small truck/bus fan pointed at the rear window I can turn on when needed. Works great!

 

[MinnesotaEric]

Even with vents blowing on the windows, my NX6010 cab fogs up as it doesn't have defrosters. The Kubota L6060 can get factory defrosters.

At some point I think I'll install aftermarket defrosters on my NX6010.

 

[Greenland South]

I have a TC45DA. I'm in northern Canada and have never had an issue with frost on the windows, even at -40c. I'm typically in the tractor doing snow removal with a only a pair of sweats and a t shirt.

 

[Fallon]

I have a Kubota L3560 HSTC and the heat will drive you out of the cab. There is a rear window defroster, wipers front and rear, and adjustable vents all around the inside of the cab you can adjust to blow on you, the windows, or where ever you want. The A.C. works great in the summer, and NO BUGS! I have had several Kubota open station tractors and hated the winters. Now, I have a plow and grader blade and chains for the tires and nothing stops it.

Did you have the defrost option from day 1? I'll be upgrading from my open station L3200 to something cabbed (likely a L4060) & was wondering if the optional defroster & required alternator upgrade would be worth it. It's like $300-400 for the alternator & the same for the defroster itself. Seems a bit excessive & hard to justify.

Trying to keep costs down when specing the machine out & end up adding whatever I actually end up needing later. figuring a rear windshield wiper would be easy enough to install after the fact. You end up with a leftover alternator at the minimum if you upgrade later.

 

[PLanger]

Even with vents blowing on the windows, my NX6010 cab fogs up as it doesn't have defrosters. The Kubota L6060 can get factory defrosters.

At some point I think I'll install aftermarket defrosters on my NX6010.

Which manufacturers offer factory defrosters?

 

[joblow]

I own seven tractors used only for snow removal.
Five of them are JD3720 my drivers are always working in t-shirt and very comfortable listening to music while working.
sometimes Wind will blow snow back in the Windows but it melts instantly whit all that warmth ..
Some guys will like better to work at night whith all lights off, when the Wind blows you have a better view.

 

[jk96]

Planger I have a case DX45. Basically same tractor as yours in red with an extra 5hp. I've had mine since 2008 and use it for snow removal on mile long drive and some storage units we own. There are multiple upper vents that can be angled in any direction. I think 6 total. I've never had an issue with keeping the glass clear or staying warm.

 

[KenB2920]

Had L3540

First noticed the heat is amazing which was initially unexpected. T shirt is acceptable but typically wore or at least brought a sweatshirt in the coldest Of weather. What I noticed is with to much heat, I would swear causing the inside of the glass to swear and if cold enough outside, freeze.

When using a rear blade and enough speed, snow "dust" can be kicked up and cause the rear window to build up with snow so a wiper works well here.

Also, opening a side vent brings moisture in and again can cause the windows to freeze ....

I discovered turning the air on but on warm if needed helps this.

Now have a L5240 that has a rear defroster as well. Works fantastic ! What I would like is the corner glass defroster a and if I find them I'll eventually buy them. Work it to me but oval so like buttons and gadgets ... But also functional.