Custom Tractor Canopy

[ChuluTrac]

I built this ROPS canopy using 1" aluminum tubing I had lying around, angle clamps, some metal plates with bolts to attach it and a pool float to keep the tarp from rubbing on the bolts. I ordered a custom made waterproof canvas tarp from coversandall.com, a set of golf cart mirrors from Amazon and added some 12V light strips to the front with double sided waterproof tape and wired them to the rear light. It works great and shades both the front and backhoe.

Total cost was $50.00 - not including the aluminum which I had already.

 

[SaintPe]

Haha! It's been fiberglassed and I need to do another coat before I Bondo it and paint.

Work has been non stop, spilling over to the weekends.

(Out of the dining room!)

 

[Shredcini]

Can't wait to see the finishing touches on the canopy. I also used a golf cart top for my canopy. Now you have me thinking that I need to add a radio and speakers like yours!

Fortunately, I was able to get some of the mounting legs from the golf cart, they ended up being the perfect angle to mount the canopy. I used some 2" square tube that is bolted to the ROPS, then the canopy mounts fit into them, secured with a couple of pins. These pics are the first mounting using just the u-bolts....

Nice brackets!

 

[SaintPe]

Alright alright alllllright...

It's fiberglassed and now to sand it and sand it and sand it then Bondo and more sanding then bedliner spraying it. Depending on cost, I may have it line-x to add extra strength

 

[BackRoad]

Impressive.

Weight...?

Roof, Bondo, fiberglass, fans, switches...

My guess...90#...

???

 

[5030]

I sure like my 'Tuff Top. it's light but sturdy and I can adjust the tilt or remove it alone Plus it folds down if I wanted to trailer the unit, which I don't and it was inexpensive, like under 200 bucks delivered. I'm all bout home brew but when a commercially available item is economical and requires minimal assembly and labor on my part, no reason to home brew it.

 

[Shredcini]

Here is a top I made for my JD790, took a beating from tree branches.

 

[sixdogs]

I have done a few homemade canopy tops over the years and here's a couple tips I learned that might be helpful. First, the easiest tops I made for the simple act of blocking the sun and with no regard to high style were made out of scrap pieces of metal barn siding.It was easy to cut to size, usually free and damage easily repaired by a new piece of steel.

Second, all canopies vibrate through the tractor and the sound can be really annoying. For insulators, I had the best luck with cutting piece out of the sidewall of an old rubber floor mat. I used a 1 1/4" (approx) hole saw for a clean and easy cut and a Harbor Freight hole saw punch to make the center hole for the mounting bolt. It worked great because I could stack a few if needed.

For the bigger spaces or heavier steel, rear shock absorber bushings from an older car or truck with leaf springs worked great. They were much thicker so fit into places where that was needed. Just an FYI here.

 

[SaintPe]

Impressive.

Weight...?

Roof, Bondo, fiberglass, fans, switches...

My guess...90#...

???

I'm thinking closer to 60lbs

I'll see if I have a scale anywhere

 

[SaintPe]

I sure like my 'Tuff Top. it's light but sturdy and I can adjust the tilt or remove it alone Plus it folds down if I wanted to trailer the unit, which I don't and it was inexpensive, like under 200 bucks delivered. I'm all bout home brew but when a commercially available item is economical and requires minimal assembly and labor on my part, no reason to home brew it.

Yeah I couldn't find a top that wasn't new and $500+ and shipping costs, so I figured this would be a fun project.

The lights and radio will be nice to have as well, so not too crazy with the customization