I do not have your tractor model but I did install a Curtis Cab on my
BX24 which looks to be not too dissimilar in size. The design of the parts in the photos you provided is consistent with what was used in my cab. Overall, I was very impressed with the construction, quality, and engineering of the cab. As you noted, it is pricey but I came to the same conclusion as you that the alternatives were possibly not worth the money. Here are some of my thoughts since you asked.
* I have the hard side model. This absolutely requires the use of hearing protection when sitting in the cab. The soft side model may not be as resonant.
* Because of the installation of the
BX24 backhoe, the cab came with a soft rear panel that can be unsnapped and rolled up. If you are going to install this panel, do it before it gets cold. I did mine at the start of winter ( I live in SE Minnesota) and I had to place the tractor outside with the sun beating on the rear panel along with a 110V heater inside the cab in order to get the rear panel pliable enough to snap on.
* I too harbored thoughts of lifting the cab off for use during the summer months. I quickly abandoned this idea after completing the install. There are too many connections and interlocking parts to make it worth my time. Instead, I just remove the doors for the summer ( they just lift off two hinge pins) and use the rest of the cab as a canopy.
* I did not encounter any point in the install where the parts did not fit correctly or holes did not align. This was a very pleasant surprise as I expected I would have to shim parts or ream holes like is so often the case with other large assemblies.
* Although the instructions say to use two people I was able to complete the install by myself. More difficult? Yes, but possible.
* The Curtis accessories are overpriced. You can make/buy equivalents cheaper.
* I do not have the heater option. I find that the coat I wear to get to the shed to get the tractor is sufficiently warm in the cab once the wind and blowing snow have been eliminated. I have the front mount blower on my unit.
* I used the bracket intended for mounting the heater to mount a toolbox instead.
* If you have a front mount snow blower you will need either the electric or hydraulic options for rotating the chute. There was not a hole through which to pass the manual chute rotation rod.
* The package the cab comes in is about 1 foot thick, 6 feet wide and about 6.5 feet tall. If you are hauling this yourself you will want good straps to tie it down and take the corners slowly.
* The poly material used to wrap the parts in the package makes a great cover for tender plants and herbs on those late spring and early fall frost nights.
* The hardest part of the install was the windshield wiper. Trying to align the splines of the drive motor with the wiper while holding the wiper spring open was a challenge. Resist the urge to beat on it.
I hope this helps.
