Clear Plastic Bubble For Mini Cab

[npalen]

With winter coming on and snow in this week's forecast I begin to think about an enclosure on my Kubota. A thought popped into my head of a hinged clear plastic "bubble" roughly 3 feet square and a couple feet "deep". It would be hinged and supported on the backside of the ROPS to be flipped up when mounting and dismounting the tractor. The idea here is to protect only the upper body parts and keep the cold wind, rain and snow off. A contoured and reinforced vacuum formed bubble with appropriate edge protection and a handle or two would be nice. How about smoked color for that cool look?
It seems relatively easy to dress appropriately to keep the torso, legs and feet warm but the problem comes in when trying to keep the upper body areas dry and warm while retaining VISIBILITY. Would like to hear some feedback on this half baked idea.

 

[wploetz]

Snowmobile helmet with bubble smoke faceshield

 

[Travelover]

When I was doing a project recently, I found a nearby plastics supply house that sold 1/8" Lexan for $75 for a 4x8 foot sheet. That would be a good start.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have seen the old "cab" shelters that had canvas that wrapped around the engine compartment and directed the hot air back to the driver area. It was open topped but had clear vinyl all the way around the driver platform. Had to be better than open station and gave some warmth to the driver and wind and blowing snow protection also. I seem to recall that they were in the $300-400 range and were sold by TSC.

 

[xtn]

Might not be too hard if you start with a canopy. Then just hang lexan sheets down from the sides of it; cut bottoms to fit shape of tractor where it falls, and attach in a few points with small standoffs.

Or this: Kubota Farm Tractor Enclosure - Farm Tractors by USA Tractor Cabs

Or probably more expensive: Kubota Compact Tractor - B Series

xtn

 

[wploetz]

Here are some lower cost simple cabs

Kubota Farm Tractor Enclosure - Farm Tractors by USA Tractor Cabs

compact-utility-tractor-cab

 

[wawajake]

Wooden frame using ROPS and uprights inserted in FEL frame structure, simple sheet metal roof , plexi glass windows frames in wood hinged from top that can be removed in spring easily by removing hinge pins. The black skirting is heavy black felt cloth from fabric store sold by the yard, held in place on wooden frames with woodscrews and washers 6 inch apart. Drivers side door has shorter skirt so that swinging it up is not pain in butt. It all keeps the wind out very well. Just don't haul it on trailer without taking the windows out , I found out the hard way that screen window clips don't hold plex glass at 50 mph.

 

[npalen]

Wooden frame using ROPS and uprights inserted in FEL frame structure, simple sheet metal roof , plexi glass windows frames in wood hinged from top that can be removed in spring easily by removing hinge pins. The black skirting is heavy black felt cloth from fabric store sold by the yard, held in place on wooden frames with woodscrews and washers 6 inch apart. Drivers side door has shorter skirt so that swinging it up is not pain in butt. It all keeps the wind out very well. Just don't haul it on trailer without taking the windows out , I found out the hard way that screen window clips don't hold plex glass at 50 mph.

Do you have any issues with the plexi fogging?

 

[npalen]

MacCourt 19 in. x 44 in. Plastic Window Well Cover-W4419 at The Home Depot

I was thinking of something about the size of two window well covers joined together to form front and rear halves and then attached to the rops with a hinge for flip-up.

 

[npalen]

Or maybe a couple of these babies joined together?

 

[wawajake]

No fogging because temperature difference in minimal , your just out of the wind

 

[aczlan]

Here are some lower cost simple cabs
Kubota Farm Tractor Enclosure - Farm Tractors by USA Tractor Cabs
compact-utility-tractor-cab

Try Original Tractor Cab it has actual swinging doors which are much easier to get in and out of.

Aaron Z

 

[Travelover]

Then there is the old standby the golf cart cab. EZGO Club Car Yamaha Deluxe 4 Sided Golf Cart Full Cab Enclosure Sand | eBay

 

[Travelover]

View attachment 346631
Or maybe a couple of these babies joined together?

End up with this.......

 

[npalen]

I'm thinking that a bubble like this might work in conjunction with a clear acrylic panel mounted to the ROPS to enclose the open rear end. The bubble would have a metal frame around it with hinges to mount to the ROPS. A latch or detent would be needed to hold the bubble in place for windy conditions and trailering. One concern I have is optical clarity of the bubble which is vacuum formed of 3/16" acrylic. Mounting and dismounting the tractor would require lifting the bubble at least partially. My goal here is keep the biting wing, rain and snow off the upper body.
What do you guys and gals think? Worth a try?

 

[JerryK]

Good snowmobile suit and a helmet with a full bubble shield would do the same. And all you would have to keep clean is the face area... You could mount little battery powered wiper on it... Please take pictures and post them so we can check out your ' new look ' ... [ ]

 

[GPintheMitten]

I don't think it would be the way to go but don't let that stop you. My opinion would be to go with s more conventional cube shape for ease of construction. Good luck and let us know what you do.

View attachment 350348

I'm thinking that a bubble like this might work in conjunction with a clear acrylic panel mounted to the ROPS to enclose the open rear end. The bubble would have a metal frame around it with hinges to mount to the ROPS. A latch or detent would be needed to hold the bubble in place for windy conditions and trailering. One concern I have is optical clarity of the bubble which is vacuum formed of 3/16" acrylic. Mounting and dismounting the tractor would require lifting the bubble at least partially. My goal here is keep the biting wing, rain and snow off the upper body.
What do you guys and gals think? Worth a try?

 

[npalen]

Could be wrong but I'm thinking that a helmet and bubble would be a bit cumbersome with rear attachments. Would really like some feedback on the "botabubble".