Canopy Canopy opinions wanted please.

[gmikem206]

I am just wondering, for a canopy that does not have the "easy off" brackets, will a canopy stand up to winter snow? (Rhino or Westendorf?) Here in the NE/Mid-Atlantic we had a lot of snow the last couple of years. Does the canopy have to be taken off in the winter? Is it helpful in the winter? thanks. Mike

 

[boggen]

---ROPS = (roll over protection system)
---FOPS = (fall object protection system)
---canopy = to keep ya shaded
---cab = cab no brainer there.
---roll over cage think ROPS, but 2 extra support bars, just infront of the dash. (think cab but without the windows)
---diy winter cab, some with hard plastic windows to actual glass windows, while others simply use plastic sheets for windows.
---have seen folks use one of the bigger table umbrellas on a tractor. other words some of the pinic tables have a center hole were you can stick in an umbrella.
---fold out awnings, you might see on a camper or motor home, have seen them use on tractors before.
---hard shell and soft shell cabs


at times, i like to actually stand up on the tractor, to simply streach out the muscles, to trying to get a better view point on something. i am like 5'11"" or near that. and the poor head has gotten beaten to death from nailing the roof.

for me, it is shade from the sun.
in winter is simply having some see through plastic, as windows and using them as wind blockers. no real need for heater, it simply keeping the bloody wind off me.

 

[TexasBoy]

TexasBoy do you think you could let it fold down and get it pushed back up?. You maybe could on that Kubota, but my Kioti hinges down at the fender level, and the ROPS itself is a chunk to throw back up, I am not sure I could swing the whole thing back up or let it down safely. Fortunately I don't have to, it fits thru the barn door with inches to spare.

You know, I probably could but it would be a chore I think. I didnt help mount it as you did, but did take notice of how heavy it was when I put that bolt with jam nut at the hinge point. (dont know if your tractor has it, but there is a threaded hole where you can put a bolt at the hinge point to make the upper portion of the ROPS stable and no lash) Like you, I keep the tractor in a place with enough head clearance to drive in.

 

[rbargeron]

Prior to getting a cab I used Tel-Trax fiberglass canopies - well made, reasonably priced, large size works well for sun and rain.

 

[johnrex62]

I have the standard "Kubota" fiberglass/plastic/high dollar canopy on by B7610. Actually am totally happy with it for ONE big reason. It is repairable. Here in the woods of N.W. Georgia there is a lot of different types of trees and low hanging branches that are hard to ignore. Sure as the devil, I forget that the thing is on as I am preoccupied with whatever bucket work or blade I am trying to use to get a job done...........

I have a similar issue with the woods on my property that I cut trails through with my L3700. I have a steel canopy that has saved my head more times than I can count as I back into the scrub brush and around limbs that are hanging low with summer foliage. The front edge is lasagane wavy, but the limbs just slide up and over as I drive under.

 

[rbargeron]

I am just wondering, for a canopy that does not have the "easy off" brackets, will a canopy stand up to winter snow? (Rhino or Westendorf?) Here in the NE/Mid-Atlantic we had a lot of snow the last couple of years. Does the canopy have to be taken off in the winter? Is it helpful in the winter? thanks. Mike

Here are two pics of the Tel-Traxfiberglass canopy in winter use - it has a steel frame so snow load is not a problem. As to whether a canopy is useful in winter, only when it rains. Blowing snow still finds you. I later added a golf cart tent.

 

[oldpilgrim]

I am just wondering, for a canopy that does not have the "easy off" brackets, will a canopy stand up to winter snow? (Rhino or Westendorf?) Here in the NE/Mid-Atlantic we had a lot of snow the last couple of years. Does the canopy have to be taken off in the winter? Is it helpful in the winter? thanks. Mike

One of the main reasons to have a canopy is to protect me from the snow/freezing rain.

here's a pic from the Rhino page:

 

[newbury]

James,

I like your steel canopy, too. What would you estimate it's thickness at, 1/8" (I'm not good with the "guages" of steel, as they translate into inches).

How heavy is it? And if you do not know, the reason I ask is, I've heard the Kubota, 'glass canopies are so heavy, that one (average) man won't be able to stand them back up, if they've folded them down, which I will have to do, to get into three of my four garage/barn doors.

And while I can see another poster's point about repairability of a 'glass canopy, steel is pretty forgiving, too, once presented with a BFH, and/or welder, etc...., so I feel that repairability might not be the deciding factor, for me.

Can anyone comment on what would happen when it's time to drop the canopy, to get into my garage, and I've got the backhoe mounted (backhoe will clear the ceilings--canopy will not).

Thanks James, and the assembled.

My Hoe

I've got a Kubota steel canopy that WAS on my M4700. first pic

Prior to transport to Fulton, Mississippi from Alexandria, Va I removed it with the help of my son. second pic

It would have been POSSIBLE by myself without help, but barely. If and when I go to put it back on I will definitely use a hoist. Don't plan on dropping it like you lower a folding ROPS unless you modify it.

I'm glad I took it off though, because I have one workshop, the one on the far left, with standard garage doors. Without the canopy I've about 1" of clearance.

 

[Xfaxman]

Working with the tractor in the sun gets a little old. Love the seat, but man, it gets hot!
I started looking at the various canopies offered and I'm really liking the RinoHide/Sungard,LLC model.
Any thoughts or experience with this canopy.
Thanks, Woodskiff

RinoHide is a Site supporting advertiser and I have seen good reviews on the canopy :thumbsup:

 

[PhilVA]

I later added a golf cart tent.

Interested in how you added the golf cart enclosure. Did you get a specific one and then modify it to fit the tractor? Any tips/tricks to going this route?

Thanks.