Canopy Canopy fiberglass or metal?

[tradosaurus]

Going to buy a canopy for my MX5400 to shield me from falling branches while in the woods.

I found fiberglass and metal.

Anyone have material or brand recommendations?

 

[EddieWalker]

I have one metal canopy on a tractor, and a plastic one on another tractor. I also have the same plastic one on my zero turn. Both work fine. The plastic ones cover more area, and I think that makes a difference. The metal one has a few dents on the front edge from branches, but nothing significant. I could probably bend them out if I wanted to.

The metal is freakishly heavy. I removed it once when hauling it 60 miles, and I had to let it drop to get it off. Then I could barely get it into the bed of my truck. Putting it back on, I had to use the forks on my loader to get it into position. The plastic ones come off super easy, and putting it back on isn't too bad either.

I've never hauled with a canopy on a tractor. I think that the wind from going that fast will tear it off. I don't know if that's true or not, I just don't want to risk it.

 

[JWR]

I ordered my canopy 10 years ago from CoverMyTractor.com It is fiberglass. I have been 100% happy with it and I use it exactly as you describe -- shielding me from overhanging branches, falling branches etc. I have developed a habit of checking to see that an overhanging branch will scoot over top of the canopy while bending or might it catch underneath. If underneath, I have to back off and do something else of course. In the usual 3 or 4 hours of bush hogging and clipping pastures I'd say that "sliding over the top" of the canopy happens at least a dozen or more times. The heavy fiberglass is stronger than people might think. Thick, sturdy. Mine was ordered as a 3 section model that you mate up during installation. Back in 2014 when I bought it that was necessary in order to get easy UPS or Fedex delivery for the size of the package. Probably you would have better options nowadays. At the time I thought 3 sections would be less reliable and more likely to give problems but that has never happened. I've been through a lot of pretty heavy conflict between that canopy and limbs with no issues -- worst was one time I had to fit the rubber edge protector trim back on but that was trivial.

Commenting on Eddie Walker's note above, I have hauled my MF2660 at interstate highway speeds and never had any flapping or bending or problems with it. It depends a lot on the strength of the steel under structure and I could probably put my 200 lbs on the CoverMyTractor model, not that I could get up there...

Yeah, it is a little heavy but I was able to put it on alone back when I was 72.

 

[scootr]

I would go metal. Aluminum specifically. I used a sheet of 6060 aluminum 49x60 inches on my MX5200. I think a metal roof would be best in an environment where something could fall on it.
We added a little support to the ROPS and put a couple of bends in the aluminum sheet

 

[JWR]

It does make a difference if you wanted to fabricate one yourself. I can see Scootr's aluminum a good solution if making one myself but if buying I'd still go with Fiberglas.

 

[CAPT Seabee]

I remember seeing a Redneck cover which repurposed a fiberglass pickup bed cover. I'd go lightweight. My Kubota cab roof is their polymer which works fine. However, if you're into ham radio and want metal for ground plane and mag mount, that would be an option too.

 

[garry1p]

I can't believe the punishment the fiberglass canopy can take.
I got tired of being slapped in the face with branches and added the limb deflectors
Limbs slid up to the hook and slide on out with out hitting me or jaming in the canopy.

 

[tradosaurus]

I can't believe the punishment the fiberglass canopy can take.View attachment 2133238
I got tired of being slapped in the face with branches and added the limb deflectors
Limbs slid up to the hook and slide on out with out hitting me or jaming in the canopy.

Where did you buy your canopy?

 

[garry1p]

Bought it when I bought the LS tractor. I don't remember the cost I had a homemade one on my old tractor and
wanted one. Would have had a cab with all the comforts but knew I would be damaged making trails in the woods.

 

[docone]

If your into fabricating a mount, the plastic lid from an old dumpster works perfectly. Cheap too!