DIY cab build on Kubota L4850DT

[Bentru]

Glass (I can see clearly now)
Before I got the cab painted I made glass templates. The local glass shop told me to use cardboard and to make the templates to the size of the openings. They down-sized the appropriate amount to accommodate the locking weatherstrip. While the glass shop was cutting the glass, I installed the cab. I debated installing the glass before I installed the cab, but the additional glass weight (150+ lbs) and the risk of breakage helped me decide otherwise. The glass was by far the largest cost item in the entire project. The 1/4" laminated glass was $15 a sq. ft. Weatherstrip was about $2 a foot.

Installing the glass was a challenge. Getting the weatherstrip to engage is easier if you use some WD-40. I also got a trim panel removal tool kit from Menards. It has 4 little plastic pry bars of various sizes that worked well. It was worth the $5.

 

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Door latch
I initially installed a screen door latch. It broke. I installed a heavier one. It broke too. I then got a truck tool box compartment latch from realworktrucks.com which I have not been able to break yet! I welded the striker plate in place. striker plate: IH-EB-5619A, latch: IH-ALH55ZNLH, handle: IH-PL378CHR, $32 for all

 

[Bentru]

Door window seals and plugging up the holes.
The angle iron flanges worked well for fastening foam weatherstrip or clamp on weatherstrip. I used various kinds in various places.
Since it started out life as an open station, there were lots places for air to get in below the cab. Under the seat was basically open, so I borrowed an idea from Life on Highway 9
I found a 溺ulty Home Smooth Rubber Utility Mat 4 x 6樗 at Menards for about $40. It is 3/16 thick and seemed like about the right stiffness. This starts at the back window and goes to the floor as one piece.

There was plenty left over to make floor mats to cover the perforated floorboards.

I used some similar mat around the loader control.

 

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Heater
With the cab enclosed, the next step was heat!
I found a heater on Amazon: Maradyne H-803012 for about $180. The 5 cylinder Kubota has a water pump bypass hose that is shaped like a hairpin. I removed the hose and used heater hose to run to the heater and back. I mounted the heater to the ROPS with a little clamp-like bracket I made. The heater comes with a 3 speed fan switch. More on wiring later.

 

[Bansil]

nice job

 

[Bentru]

Headliner
The ceiling of the cab is covered with 1.5 inch tractor cab foam that has perforated vinyl on one side. I got mine from www.tractorinteriors.com . It comes in a 54 inch wide roll and costs about $18 a linear foot. I glued it in place with 3M Super 77 spray adhesive. This glue works well, but you need to follow the directions perfectly. The headliner provides some insulation. I was worried about condensation on the ceiling if I didn't insulate.

Wipers
I found wipers at TMC International Industries, Inc. that I liked. They are direct drive and have an adjustable sweep angle. They were easy to install and not too bad to adjust. I would have liked a more standard wiper blade, but these work well. TMC-0091101-16 Kit for $85 each. I put a wiper on the front and the rear. The wipers did not come with a switch so I got them from Speedway motors PN 91064056 for $13 each.


Lights
I do like LEDS! I put 2 on the front with a switch and 2 on the rear with a switch. They make the original lights in the front of the tractor look like candles! They were about $25 each and at only 27 watts each, the 4 take about what the 2 original headlights did. Switches are generic toggle switches.


Electrical
I didn't want switches all over the place, and the dash didn't have enough room for much, so I made a switch box.
I found a 6x6x4 screw cover pull box from Menards for about $15.
Inside this, I mounted a universal fuse holder from Napa. This gives me lots of room for expansion.
I ran a fat wire from the battery with an inline fuse. This is in addition to each item being fused.
The cover of the box makes a nice little dash board. I have front and rear lights, front and rear wipers and heater fan controls. Future plans call for some interior lights and maybe a fan for the windows.


Mirrors
I had seen several people on the web put golf cart mirrors on their tractor, and since I already had a golf cart roof, I figured why not? Back to Amazon for some Fat Cat Golf mirrors FCG-1008SM $17 for the pair.
I had a GM van rear mirror from a previous project, so that went up inside.

 

[Bentru]

Finishing touches, noise, cost
I decided a cup holder was needed.


Much has been discussed about noise levels in both OEM and DIY cabs. Despite the insulation on the ceiling, matting on the floor and weatherstrip around the doors and windows, my cab is loud. I have a decibel app on my phone, so I checked it out. With the tractor at 1500 RPM, I checked the sound level right outside the windshield and then near my head when I am in the seat. 89 decibels in both places. I bought a new pair of muffs with 31 NRR and use a pair of disposable plugs as well. Using both is overkill, but I want to keep my hearing.

I kept very careful track of my expenses for this project. I have just under $2500 in it. About half of the total was the glass and weatherstrip.
I didn't keep track of my labor. I enjoyed the work, and no one was going to pay me for it, so why keep track? I started in early November and it was usable my mid-February. 150 hours is my best guess.

 

[KubotainNH]

Looks great, cool project.

 

[Dropsix]

Very, very cool. Great work!