Cabs for BX23?

Electron8 · Mar 10, 2005

Are there any choices for a hard cab for a BX23, other than the Laurin Eclipse? The Eclips looks great, albeit a little large, but I'm told it's also 5000 dollars! Does a Curtis cab work with the backhoe function? Or has anyone taken a Sims or Curtis and made it work?
Thanks...Dave

Junkman · Mar 10, 2005

I have a BX22 and have been researching this question for almost a year now. I have seen the Curtis soft side cab on a few BX22 tractors and the hard side on one BX2230. It isn't possible to use the hard side on the BX22/23 because the rear section is fixed in place. The only way that it could be done is to completely unbolt the rear for summer time use and bolt it back in for winter use. A lot of work when the soft side can have the rear off in about 10 minutes. I do like the hard side doors with sliding windows better than the soft side doors with plastic windows. The BX soft side is about $2000 and the hard side is about $3000. A heater is a must so I have been told by people that have them.

bird1968 · Mar 10, 2005

Here is a pic with a Curtis soft cab with some minor modifications. Work for me in the summer & these cold winter (get the heater!) you love it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

NY_Yankees_Fan · Mar 10, 2005

OK so who is this guy with the ???? on his face. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

bird1968 · Mar 10, 2005

OK, u can see me here working on my big block...& the tractor is helping out. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Electron8 · Mar 10, 2005

Yeah Junkman - It would be cool if Curtis would do a hybrid - make it like a hardside cab with the rear portion like a softside - it really doesn't seem like it would be all that tough for them to design BX23 functionality into existing pieces - even do a factory mod like Bird did with the pop-top - cool idea. Seems enough BX23's sold to make it worth someone's while. Laurian makes a nice unit but very very pricey at $5k.

Junkman · Mar 11, 2005

I have been in contact with Curtis and sent them the picture of the modification to the roof. The reply was that they were going to look into creating a "modification" kit for the BX22/23. I tried to get them to sell me a soft sided cab with upgraded hard side doors, but they claim that the cabs are built and packed and to do so would be too disruptive to the packing department. They are not that large of a company, but they act as if they were General Motors when it comes to special requests. I guess that the old days of going out of the way a little to satisfy a customers needs are gone. Fifteen years ago, if the customer asked, they would paint polka dots on them to make the sale.

Dan43 · Mar 11, 2005

Laurin has changed its cab policy, they now have an entry level cab with less accesories. I believe it is around $3500.

You can contact them through their website and ask for the EL model.

Junkman · Mar 11, 2005

Laurin hasn't changed the cab for the BX series since introduction. The price last year before the steel price increase and the value of the US dollar declining was $3500 US. It is a nice cab and offers ROPS protection for the occupant. This is the only cab that is specifically built for the BX22/23 series tractors. One of the down sides of this cab is that if you ever break one of the glass panels, it is going to cost a fortune to replace it. The door glass is one piece from top to bottom. Lifting the rear glass window out to use the backhoe must be difficult to do also.