Curtis cab

[wh22366]

I picked up a Curtis cab (right) that supposedly came from a MF1440 (might have been an earlier 1200 series) and am planning to modify it to fit my MF1540. It has a curved glass windshield, steel top, wiper, heater, soft doors, plastic rear window and is designed to sit in front of the ROPS. Anybody out there go this route?

The cab mounts to the floorboards and to the base of the ROPS mount. The 1540 platform and cowl is slightly wider but I plan to widen the bottom of the frame and make a new cab cowl panel. I might have to lose the small lower windows in the present panel. Will also have to reshape the cab frame where it follows the fender line so that the gaskets seal right.

I wrote Curtis to see if they had experimented with converting this cab to the present MF offering. They wrote back to tell me that the cab wouldn't fit so I guess the answer is no.

Why didn't I buy a cabbed version up front? Preferred to have the turbo over the A/C compressor. Besides, what would we do without projects?!

 

[McDenny's]

I have a MF1445. I looked at cabs last winter. If I could find a used one like you, I would buy one. I use my truck to plow my driveway, but I do have a front mount snowblower and a cab would come in handy. The only issue I could see if I bought a cab and I kept my loader on, I would have to change my loader mounted controls and use the fender mount instead. Let me know how you make out with your mods, and post some pics.

 

[wh22366]

My plan is to keep the loader on and use the bucket or a plow on the quick attach. Past winter storms have been relatively easy with just 175' of gravel driveway using a walk-behind blower or a garden tractor and blower. Problem is I'm building an equipment barn out back that will double the distance and cleanup, making the use of the small rigs hard work.

I'm terrible about documenting projects, but I will post pictures. I will say that the fender-mounted joy stick is almost too handy - I keep trying to shift it! I had my old Ford too long! Thanks.

 

[McDenny's]

Hey wh22366,
I have just the solution for you, check out the pics. Its for sale too


Admit it, it would look nice on your tractor.


Dennis

 

[wh22366]

I've been tempted to look for a MF front blower, but I still remember the time another guy and I hung one on a 1440. The conversion from loader to blower wasn't quick. What's your experience?

Wayne

 

[McDenny's]

My blower is made by Erskine. My driveway is gravel and about 1000' long, I use my truck to plow. I have installed the blower several times with no problems. I roll my loader off and drive up to the blower and hook it up. Sometimes is takes a little to line it up, but I have had no major issues. I have moved it around without taking the loader off, I just raise it up over the blower. I have had a few people look at it, but it still sits here. I may use it if we even get a good ole' New England winter.

 

[wh22366]

I wouldn't mind owning your Erskine cheap (better than the NPE offer for sure), but I suspect you want to recoup a healthy piece of your purchase price. We really haven't had the big storms for the last several years, and I've been able to handle the blowable snow easily with my other hardware. I'd just like to have the tractor plow option for the wet, slushy stuff.

 

[McDenny's]

I have had a few people look at it. To be honest, I don't know what its worth. I usually plow with my truck. I have had my truck for 11 years now. The engine, trans, front and rear are good, but the body it getting pretty rough. I have looked at "used" trucks, but I can justify paying that much for a truck. I have thought about finding / buying a cab for my tractor and putting a plow on that and use that instead. I am not sure of my next move. I am going to get through the winter with my truck and go from there I guess. If we finally get a "New England" winter, then I can try out the blower. I just hate using a blower on a gravel driveway.

 

[wh22366]

I took a hard look this weekend at the work it would take to modify the cab to fit my rig and decided I have enough projects for the near future. My cab is a Curtis PN #7468901 and (according to Curtis and Steve at NPE) is made to fit the MF1433V & std, 1440V & std. Don't know how close the dimensions of your 1445 are to those models, but I'll sell the cab for $1500. I'm going another way for my cab needs. I'll deliver for gas money.

Wayne

 

[McDenny's]

Hi Wayne,
I may be interested in the cab. I will pm you for details.


Dennis

 

[McDenny's]

Hey all that may be reading. I have talked to Wayne and told him when I talked to Steve from NPE that the cab will not fit my tractor, it WILL NOT fit the 1445 or 1455. It will fit the 1440 and smaller series. I guess there is something about the 1445 and 1455 series that are different. After talking to Wayne I remembered seeing that cab at NPE and checking it out, of course it was a hot summer day and a cab was the last thing on my mind. So if any of you reading this need a cab for your tractor, shoot Wayne a email to see if it will fit.

Thanks,
Dennis

 

[scott_vt]

Hey all that may be reading. I have talked to Wayne and told him when I talked to Steve from NPE that the cab will not fit my tractor, it WILL NOT fit the 1445 or 1455. It will fit the 1440 and smaller series. I guess there is something about the 1445 and 1455 series that are different. After talking to Wayne I remembered seeing that cab at NPE and checking it out, of course it was a hot summer day and a cab was the last thing on my mind. So if any of you reading this need a cab for your tractor, shoot Wayne a email to see if it will fit.

Thanks,
Dennis

Mornin Dennis,
After reading through this thread, I have to agree with your idea of trying to find a cab for your MF 1445 ! It sounds like your plow truck is runnin on borrowed time, at least the body is ! And you have the perfect blower and tractor combo, on top of that your going to be hard pressed to find someone to pay you what that blower is really worth ! Good luck in your search !

 

[McDenny's]

Hey Scotty,
Yea, it is running on "borrowed" time. My wife used it Saturday to go and pick up some more bricks for me and that night she told me she came out of the store down the street and the "brake" light was on in the dash and the pedal went to the floor. Blew a brake line, the thing about it is that I just replaced them not even 4 years ago. The truck sits and that is the worst things for a vehicle. I thought about looking for a "newer" truck, but it wouldn't makes allot of sense to have a truck sitting in the driveway and make payments on it. I actually would like to find a plow for my tractor. My driveway is gravel and plowing it would be easier. I will keep my eye out, you never know what you may come across.




Dennis

 

[JerryG]

Wayne,
To bad you are so far away from Arkansas.

 

[wh22366]

JerryG - Yeah, it is a bit of a hike to AR. There are a bunch of 1433's and 1440's around NH as two dealers have been spreading them around since their introduction, so I expect someone will develop an interest as winter sets in.

I've ordered a Curtis made to fit my machine and we'll see how the assembly comes boxed/palleted. If the packaging is decent, I'm thinking I might knock the other cab down, box it and ship it to a buyer. Just didn't want the hassle initially with the chores I have outstanding. Let me get the new one first and see how it goes.

Wayne

 

[McDenny's]

Hey Wayne,
Just to let you know if you need a hand shipping your cab, let me know. The shop where I work sends stuff out on a regular basis and I can probably get a good rate on shipping.


Dennis

 

[wh22366]

Thanks Dennis, I may take you up on that.

Just found out from the good folks at Northwood Power that Curtis needs a minimum order of 12 cabs in order to gear up and produce 1540 cabs. Steve at NPE has been doing his best to drum up support with other dealers and other contacts to make the number. Only time will tell if he can raise enough interest. Meanwhile I'll hang on to the one I have (if I don't sell it for the advertised price) and modify it if I have to.

 

[wh22366]

Good news. Steve at NPE called to let me know that (due to demand) Curtis is gearing up to make cabs for the 1533/1540 and will be producing them in December for sale through MF dealers. I'm happy I waited and didn't begin the process of modifying the 1440 cab I have.

Although I'd still like to sell the 1440 cab outright, I would entertain a trade for a GB72 Woods Box blade. I have several other 3 pt Woods products and want to stay with them.

 

[Pwdrhnd]

do you still have the cab for sale, if so I'm interested I have a 2005 1433 that would fit. please call me at (208)724-7767

thanks

 

[odiez]

Try responding to this craigslist ad. I'm guessing it's the same cab.

Tractor cab