Cab pros and cons

[MChalkley]

Andy - I thought about it when the idea of having a cab on my EF-5 first presented itself - thought about it a lot, in fact - but I don't think the extra 400 pounds makes too much difference in a total of 10,000. In fact, I can easily get more than that in liquid ballast, if I need to.

But, I had forgotten to mention it as a con in my post, and I'm glad you didn't. As you say, it could be very significant on a smaller, lighter compact. Excellent safety point.

 

[radman]

I wonder if a cab is overall safer in a rollover than a ROPS? Body parts (arms and legs) are probably more likely to be injured with a ROPS than cab. Also, how many people always wear a set belt while operating their tractor? No seat belt with a rollover and ROPS is asking for serious trouble. No seat belt and rollover with cab - trouble but probably less.

 

[MChalkley]

radman - That's a good question - I've wondered the same thing. Some of the points you mentioned would seem to make a cab safer. On the other hand, I don't particularly like the idea of glass flying around. One of the biggest, though, is the one you mentioned: it would keep all your parts inside the structure, at least initially.

Another factor, but not really related to your question, is that cabs are often FOPS (Falling Object Protection System) as well as ROPS, which is a big plus in my book.

 

[Gatorboy]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

Mark,

I believe your post (which I am replying to) was the 100,000th one!

 

[Gatorboy]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

Yes Mark, I was correct. This was verified by Muhammad!

 

[MChalkley]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

Yep, gatorboy, you were absolutely correct. It didn't occur to me to check that way. Of course, it was past my bedtime...

 

[glennmac]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

I like the feeling of being outside. In the heat. And in the snow. It feels natural, and part of the good earth. To me, a cab is an artificial environment, intolerably reminiscent of my intolerable office jobs, that filters out the sights, sounds, smells and windfeels of Mother Nature. Maybe I'd feel differently if I had to make my living on a tractor or if I lived in a more extreme climate zone.

 

[MChalkley]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

glennmac - I used to agree with you, until I had the opportunity to plow snow and do other stuff in the cold and rain, with just a long-sleeve shirt on. Then, I was mighty glad to have it.

By the time July gets here, I might be agreeing with you again... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[hwp]

As Andy noted, the issues can be quite different between the big boys and the pretenders. From the attached you can see that I have a cab on my Kubota F2400. It is only on for the winter. Once the snow stops, the cab comes off and I go with natural air conditioning. For snowblowing, the cab keeps the snow out of my face and the heat in the cab. When I am snowblowing, I am on relatively level ground and rollover is not a concern. However in the summer when I am mowing grass, I get onto some fairly steep sidehills, including ditches, and the weight of the cab would make the machine top heavy. But overall, I wouldn't be without a cab again.

 

[Hillbilly]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

I bet your car is a convertible. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[hayden]

Re: MChalkley 100,000th POST (I think)

In my dream, I just open the cab windows on those fine days.

If you've ever run a snow blower on a windy day, you'll want a cab too, regardless of how much you like to commune with nature (which I do).

 

[mrob2012003]

cab vs no cab..I have owned both. Depending on how you are working is the main concern. If its year around on the tractor-cab is the way to go. Heat and a/c protection from the elements. I bail hay and I would rather sweat inside of a cab with no air than have to breathe in all the dust and dirt. Granted the only problem is you have to keep those filters and screens clean if you want the a/c to work properly. If money is an issue than you may have to go with no cab. Cab tractors are more expensive but look at the comforts. A bit more money vs discomfort all day long. I think I would just spend the money.

 

[LBrown59]

cab vs no cab..I have owned both. Depending on how you are working is the main concern. If its year around on the tractor-cab is the way to go. Heat and a/c protection from the elements. I bail hay and I would rather sweat inside of a cab with no air than have to breathe in all the dust and dirt. Granted the only problem is you have to keep those filters and screens clean if you want the a/c to work properly. If money is an issue than you may have to go with no cab. Cab tractors are more expensive but look at the comforts. A bit more money vs discomfort all day long. I think I would just spend the money.

Con of cabs.
3 of them are expensive for my 3 BXs.
Sure would like to find a buy 1 get 2 free deal.

 

[IslandTractor]

Another 7 year old thread dredged up, probably accidentally.

 

[Conservation]

What about soft side cabs? Use in winter and remove in summer? I have been thinking about one for next winter.

 

[rtdiggr]

Given the fact the thread has been resurrected here is my input.

My neighbour had an 5 year old Kubota that he traded in for a new Kubota with a cab. He then learned his back hoe would not fit. So he sold the backhoe.

Shane

 

[Ductape]

Cab pros and cons:


Cab: Pro


No cab: Con

 

[wolc123]

In my opinion, cabs are seldom justified on tractors under 50 hp for these reasons: 1)High cost, 2)Loss of overhead clearance 3)AC consumption of hp that is in short supply 4)Raise center of gravity, 5)Expensive to maintain. A canopy however, is a good option on these tractors, and I have been nearly as comfortable in a small tractor with a good canopy than I have been in a big tractor with an AC cab while operating under the hot sun. If you are really bothered bugs or allergies, or choose to use a snowblower, then I understand why you would like a cab. Luckily, I dont suffer from any of these aliments so an open station small tractor suits me fine.

 

[LBrown59]

Cab pros and cons:





No cab: Con

Like sweltering hot
freezing cold
soaking wet.

 

[lawn_king]

Having owned & operated both for decades, i will take the cab model every time. In a perfect world, owning both would be awesome! A factory cab model & an open station model with folding rops for those tight areas.