You'll get over that feeling really fast when you're cutting grass & hit a hidden bee's nest. It's nice to be inside the cab & not get stung!
Do you regret getting a cab?
- Thread starter Boondox
- Start date
- Views: 7743
You'll get over that feeling really fast when you're cutting grass & hit a hidden bee's nest. It's nice to be inside the cab & not get stung!
DelSc
Silver Member
Im in New Hampshire and switched from open station to cabbed primarily to get out of the cold during snow blowing. Put me in the group that wished they had just bought the cab in the first place. It is hard for me to overstate how much more enjoyable chores are in the cold/hot/wet/bugs of New England when there is protection. I dont have a sense of being disconnected except when the wind shifts while Im snow blowing and it melts on the glass instead of on my face and clothes.
Since you are asking for downsides to a cab, I can think of a few. One is the cost. It is several thousand more to get a cabbed B3030 vs open one. To me those are dollars well spent (I have a B3030 with cab), but others will see it differently.
Another is that a cab raises the center of gravity of the tractor. I have a hilly property and am careful how I operate the tractor so I dont find it to be a problem, however the effect is real. I got rear wheel spacers so I could use chains and not have it interfere with the backhoe subframe, but they improve stability as well.
Another is that a tractor with a foldable ROPS can get into a standard 7 ft garage door easily, where a cabbed b3030 is just slightly taller than that. Some guys have removed trim from their garage doors to accommodate the height.
The only other one I see is that it is harder to thread a cabbed tractor through dense wooded sections of the property because I dont like branches whacking against the glass and mirrors. In an open cab you can just duck and not worry as much. I have always kept trees trimmed in areas I mow to avoid hitting the ROPS, and its no different for me with the cab, but chores like skidding logs in unmaintained areas of the property are a different story.
Since you are asking for downsides to a cab, I can think of a few. One is the cost. It is several thousand more to get a cabbed B3030 vs open one. To me those are dollars well spent (I have a B3030 with cab), but others will see it differently.
Another is that a cab raises the center of gravity of the tractor. I have a hilly property and am careful how I operate the tractor so I dont find it to be a problem, however the effect is real. I got rear wheel spacers so I could use chains and not have it interfere with the backhoe subframe, but they improve stability as well.
Another is that a tractor with a foldable ROPS can get into a standard 7 ft garage door easily, where a cabbed b3030 is just slightly taller than that. Some guys have removed trim from their garage doors to accommodate the height.
The only other one I see is that it is harder to thread a cabbed tractor through dense wooded sections of the property because I dont like branches whacking against the glass and mirrors. In an open cab you can just duck and not worry as much. I have always kept trees trimmed in areas I mow to avoid hitting the ROPS, and its no different for me with the cab, but chores like skidding logs in unmaintained areas of the property are a different story.
OP
Boondox
Elite Member
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 3,871
- Location
- Craftsbury Common, Vermont
- Tractor
- Deere 4044R cab, Kubota KX-121-3S
Thanks for the sound feedback, guys. I'd forgotten that I tend to disturb ground bees at least once a year! Those suckers are nasty!
Scott, your weather is a lot like mine, as is your property. My 150 acres has about half an acre flat, and that's where the farmhouse sits. The last time we harvested timber I wisely left plenty of trees within winch reach of solid logging roads so I didn't have to struggle gathering firewood.
My R4s will be at the wide setting, but no spacers as that would take away the ability to muck the sheepshed in the hands free style I am eagerly anticipating. No backhoe, as I have a mini-ex. The cab height is about two inches less than my garage opening, but I never shut that door anyway so might just remove it and the trim as suggested. I have a low breezeway that precluded cabs on the Grande L tractors I've owned, but the B3030HSDC will fit with five inches to spare.
Thanks again.
Pete
Scott, your weather is a lot like mine, as is your property. My 150 acres has about half an acre flat, and that's where the farmhouse sits. The last time we harvested timber I wisely left plenty of trees within winch reach of solid logging roads so I didn't have to struggle gathering firewood.
My R4s will be at the wide setting, but no spacers as that would take away the ability to muck the sheepshed in the hands free style I am eagerly anticipating. No backhoe, as I have a mini-ex. The cab height is about two inches less than my garage opening, but I never shut that door anyway so might just remove it and the trim as suggested. I have a low breezeway that precluded cabs on the Grande L tractors I've owned, but the B3030HSDC will fit with five inches to spare.
Thanks again.
Pete
crazyal
Super Member
My Case backhoe has a cab and it's the main reason why I'm not going with one on my 4240. My plans incluse draggin logs out of the woods and a cab would just hinder getting into the tight spots too much. Secondly (and this is what I learned with the BH) is that I'm always getting in and out and having to open the door to do so is a pain. Yes that may sound silly but I would give up the heat and AC 90% of the time to be able to quickly jump down look at what I'm doing from a different angle then get back in. I often leave the door open but find it always closes just before I go to get out.
I also don't like having windows. It's just not as clear as the unobstructed view. That being said it's real nice to have a dry place and I think the extra weather is real hard on the display but then again that cab could be the difference between inside garage storage or being stuck outside.
I also don't like having windows. It's just not as clear as the unobstructed view. That being said it's real nice to have a dry place and I think the extra weather is real hard on the display but then again that cab could be the difference between inside garage storage or being stuck outside.
Oleozz
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2006
- Messages
- 1,656
- Location
- Pa.
- Tractor
- International 1066 with Year Round Cab, Kioti DK 45S with Cab, 451 Loader
Age was a factor in my last tractor having a cab. When I was younger I liked being out in the elements, now I'm more for the creature comforts. My ole IH has a YearARound cab, no AC and it's like sitting in a tin can, extremely loud. The other tractor has ac, heat, music, and is quiet, tractors have come a long way.
Doug_D
Member
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2008
- Messages
- 47
- Tractor
- Kubota M7040
link to a great discussion regarding a Cab vs Open station...
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/162807-been-year-cab-not-sure.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/162807-been-year-cab-not-sure.html
buckeyefarmer
Epic Contributor
you all chip in and buy me a cab tractor, then I'll let you know. 
TripleR
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 18,084
- Location
- Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota M8540HDC, L5740HSTC, BX2200, BX2660, John Deere 425&1025R, Case, Massey Ferguson, Ford
I spent yesterday bush hogging and will do the same tomorrow and for the rest of the week. When finished, I come in the house catch up on the news, eat, watch a little TV and relax. With an open station, I use to have to strip my clothes off in the garage, immediately check for ticks, hit the shower and spend hours sneezing with burning eyes and a headache.
Nope can't say I miss my open station tractor so much; actually still have it, just don't use it much.
Nope can't say I miss my open station tractor so much; actually still have it, just don't use it much.
forester2
Gold Member
I'm just dittoing whats already been said by other happy cab owners. My wife let me get our B3030HSDC 4 years ago and I love it. No snow in the face in winter, allergies under control in the summer. Was concerned on hills too, until I loaded the tires and now it doesn't feel top heavy at all. If I was in the woods all the time,I would not have a cab; fortunate to have another tractor for that. The real plus to the B3030 is that we now have a tractor my wife feels comfortable driving.
I think I would seriously regret it at least a permanent cab. I have thought about fabric cabs just for winter and still managed to talk myself out of it.
I can always change sunglasses if they freeze over but dealing with plastic windows all around you iced over. I dont know but to me it seems like a cab is better for an hourly job where you have to pay someone to tractor for you or you are the one getting paid. Of course I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy an all weather cab with music just cant see myself ever really needing one is all. jmho
Steve
I can always change sunglasses if they freeze over but dealing with plastic windows all around you iced over. I dont know but to me it seems like a cab is better for an hourly job where you have to pay someone to tractor for you or you are the one getting paid. Of course I am not saying I wouldn't enjoy an all weather cab with music just cant see myself ever really needing one is all. jmho
Steve