Cabs are for wimps

[Builder]

I wouldn't buy anything bigger than 35HP without a cab. It's not about being a wimp, it's about being SMART. Say goodbye to skin cancer, West Nile virus, lyme disease, lung ailments, cold in winter, extreme heat in summer, having to quit because of rain and feeling like you're dead at the end of the day.

Yep, it's worth every penny to have a cab for this WIMP. You increase production, increase resale value and preserve your health over the life of the tractor.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I wouldn't buy anything bigger than 35HP without a cab. It's not about being a wimp, it's about being SMART. Say goodbye to skin cancer, West Nile virus, lyme disease, lung ailments, cold in winter, extreme heat in summer, having to quit because of rain and feeling like you're dead at the end of the day.
.

yep
that's what I've learned.
so has the wife though, so we might have to get another tractor with a cab so I get one.

 

[lawn_king]

I love my kubota factory cab. I wouldnt buy a tractor without a cab. I ran open station machines for 2 decades, purchased a curtis cab in 2002, then jumped up to the factory cab in 2005. I boom sprayed 110 acres of national cemetery with another kubota last week. Two 12 hour days (seat time), the AC & stereo made it enjoyable work!

 

[wolc123]

Those of you who want a cab maybe should try a canopy first, especially on a CUT where hp and the ability to run an effective AC is limited. A little shade goes a long way towards making work more pleasant on a tractor under the hot sun. A canopy does not obstruct your vision and allows unobstructed air flow so you get full advantage of the cool breeze. My previous brush hog tractor had one while the new one did not and after a few times cutting under the hot sun there was no doubt I needed a top. I made one in about an hour with a wooden frame, metal supports and a canvas cover, total cost about $10. I sized it just right for my tractor and can remove it or put it back on with four bolts in under five minutes to enable folding down the roll bar (One of my barns has low doors that I must enter on occasion). Many of the factory and aftermarket canopies I have seen are too small and poorly fitted to provide adequate shade. Mine is approximately 5.5 ft wide, 8 ft long, and 20 in deep and it does a heck of a job at blocking the sun even when at a low angle. Certainly there is a a place for a cab, and in my opinion that would be on tractors over 60 hp that are operated long hours. Of course the canopy does not help with bugs, cold or music, but to me that stuff is nothing compared to that hot sun.

 

[JoeinTX]

Spent much time on both and I'm a wimp too. For me, smaller tractors (anything under 60hp or so) are preferred without a cab due to close work around trees and other structures where visibility and easier on/off is needed. Tractors these size are generally utility in nature rather than for extended periods of field time. For truly long field stints bigger tractors are in order and they need a cab.

Here, a simple canopy top is preferrable to a non A/C cab on a tractor.......the amount of heat and lack of airflow in a metal and glass box without any air is worse than the dust and bugs and so on.

 

[mjncad]

Call me a proud wimp; but I want a cab! If Deere offered a cab in the States back in 2001 when I bought my 4200, I would have ordered one no questions asked. Deere did offer a cab for the 4200 in Europe.

I bought a Curtis Cab for my Deere; but it arrived damaged as Curtis doesn't package things well, so it went back to Massachusetts. When I found the Femco canopy I have now, the design was such that I said I can build a cab for it if I get better at metal working and buy more tools... . The FEMCO canopy makes a big difference in keeping the hot sun off of me and it is a good investment.

Adding heat to a CUT equipped with a cab is doable; but the cooling part is a bigger problem due to limited HP and under hood space.

I've looked at Deere's new cab tractors and I want one, though financially it's not doable at the moment.

I do know I am tired of eating dust and dirt and having the wind blow in my face. Freezing my butt off this past winter just reinforces my desire to be a wimp in a cab. Heck, I don't drive my car and truck with the windows down as that is what A/C is for.

 

[Turbys_1700]

Those of you who want a cab maybe should try a canopy first, especially on a CUT where hp and the ability to run an effective AC is limited. A little shade goes a long way towards making work more pleasant on a tractor under the hot sun. A canopy does not obstruct your vision and allows unobstructed air flow so you get full advantage of the cool breeze. My previous brush hog tractor had one while the new one did not and after a few times cutting under the hot sun there was no doubt I needed a top. I made one in about an hour with a wooden frame, metal supports and a canvas cover, total cost about $10. I sized it just right for my tractor and can remove it or put it back on with four bolts in under five minutes to enable folding down the roll bar (One of my barns has low doors that I must enter on occasion). Many of the factory and aftermarket canopies I have seen are too small and poorly fitted to provide adequate shade. Mine is approximately 5.5 ft wide, 8 ft long, and 20 in deep and it does a heck of a job at blocking the sun even when at a low angle. Certainly there is a a place for a cab, and in my opinion that would be on tractors over 60 hp that are operated long hours. Of course the canopy does not help with bugs, cold or music, but to me that stuff is nothing compared to that hot sun.

That's exactly what I did, except I blew the budget and purchased a real nice Firebird fiberglass canopy colored in white. Tremendous difference in temps here in hot NC in the summer. With my Tilley hat and little breeze 90 degree days are now bearable.

 

[Offy]

Hot rods, Harleys and "roadster" tractors are some of the better things that life has to offer, but I don't ride 'em for a livin' or in real cold weather either. If you ride a tractor for 50+ a week to put groceries on the table then a cab may be in order. I only ride when I want to and a cab wouldn't work for me.

 

[TrippleT]

I posted this picture once before. But, with the heat and humidity here, if I ever bought another tractor I would want a cab. I built the canopy, put a rear view mirror, and a fan on the canopy I think the next thing is going to be a radio. It does make a huge difference especially at my age.
The canopy top was made from a flexible plastic that I bought at Larry Shaw race car factory. And even if it gets bent you can pretty much straighten it out with your hands. It isn't as rough as this picture seems to depict because the color doesn't show on the top from the angle I took the picture from. The second picture shows it better.
When I built the canopy I built a light frame of channel then put two pieces of insulation inside the frame. It is a life saver for me.
I guess at this stage you can call me a wimp because I would love to have a cab and air. However, I figure this is my last tractor, so will have to make do with what I have.

 

[riptides]

TrippleT That's a great idea.

semi-wimpy

-Mike Z.