Do you like having a canopy or FOPS? Any regrets?

[SmallChange]

I'm thinking of getting one. Main goal is staying dry while moving snow around during the storm. But I also have a very bad neck and want multiple mirrors, and I imagine a FOPS would give a nice variety of good mounting points.

There is a FOPS available from my tractor maker (NH) that is supposedly designed for this tractor. I don't think they offer a canopy as a different item. A FOPS ought to be more rigid and make a better mounting area for mirrors, I would expect. I saw a pretty similar NH tractor with the FOPS on it and it looked nice and solid and large, lotta workspace under it.

Some people say they make the engine noise louder. Any thoughts on that?

Obviously when mounting the tractor, the operator would have to duck under it somewhat.

Any other issues to take into account while deciding?

Thanks!!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Full cab with heat and A/C, all the way. As soon as you said "staying dry while moving snow during a storm..." That's the way to go.

You're welcome.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I built a full roll cage with limb risers that connect at the front grill guard. No regrets, gotten used to it, not knocked my head on it in years. Nice having a roof over my head.

 

[4570Man]

My backhoe has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

 

[chim]

When I finally had enough of the wet and cold I built a cab with a heater. Just how warm and dry can a canopy keep you?

 

[SmallChange]

My bathroom has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

OK, I'm working on picturing this, but I think I'm gonna need some hints or something....

 

[4570Man]

OK, I'm working on picturing this, but I think I'm gonna need some hints or something....

Meant to say backhoe. Was in a hurry and hit send before I proof read.

 

[MossRoad]

My backhoe has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

Hey, spellcheck works great! It's the auto text that makes me laugh!!! :laughing:

I think you meant backhoe? Or you have the coolest man-cave in town! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I have a steel canopy on my ROPs. I really like it. But if you think it's gonna keep snow off of you in winter, well, just your head and maybe your shoulders and chest, but my experience has been wet legs. The snow comes in as you drive and lands on you legs. Same amount as if you had no canopy. Same thing with rain. It's great for sun protection, and keeps branches from falling on my head in the woods. It came standard on my machine. And it's tough. I can and have stood on it many times.

 

[4570Man]

I have a steel canopy on my ROPs. I really like it. But if you think it's gonna keep snow off of you in winter, well, just your head and maybe your shoulders and chest, but my experience has been wet legs. The snow comes in as you drive and lands on you legs. Same amount as if you had no canopy. Same thing with rain. It's great for sun protection, and keeps branches from falling on my head in the woods. It came standard on my machine. And it's tough. I can and have stood on it many times.

I’ve got a diamond plate aluminum sunshade on my mower. It’s excellent for pushing limbs out of the way and for sun protection. It helps quite a bit in the rain but my legs still get wet. As for snow I’ve never tested that but any canopy would obviously be useless maybe even a step backwards for cold. I’d want at least a soft cab. It wouldn’t be hard to add a heater either.