Gathering Materials for a Homemade Snow Cab for my John Deere X300

o2batsea · Sep 7, 2017

stugpanzer said:
I worked on the plywood top today (pics to follow in a day or so). I used my router to round the top edges and a palm sander to just smooth it out a bit. I plan on using Fiberglass Resin without the actual glass to paint onto the wood and especially the edges to seal the wood then I will paint it.

I recommend epoxy resin. Gives far better results on bare wood. Your first few coats thin with 50% xylene. That will soak deep into the wood. Allow a full day between coats. After you get a couple coats then hit it with 60 paper. Next put a single layer of cloth. Lay it on dry. Push all the wrinkles out and leave it draped over the edge. Pour straight epoxy resin on and use a plastic scraper (like for bondo) to push it down into the cloth evenly. After a while trim the draped excess when the resin is leather hard and not tacky. Next day after it is fully hard, hit it with 120 paper. With a roller, add another couple coats to completely fill the cloth and bring up the surface. Final sand and paint with 2part epoxy primer followed by your topcoat.

You can also make a lighter weight top by bending up a perimeter frame and a couple arced ribs. The ends of your perimeter should be the same arc as the ribs. Use the textured 1/8 thick fiberglass panel from lowes or Home Depot as your cover (the cheesy stuff they line bathrooms with). Pop rivet the stuff every 4 or so inches to your frame. Trim with shears so you leave an inch or so drip edge. Light, strong and cheeeeeeep.

stugpanzer · Sep 7, 2017

Egon said:
Go with a heated snowmobile suit and full helmet, heated boots & gloves. Toasty warm. Add a good light on the helmet and where ever you look will be lit up.

Now this is funny! I have many reasons for wanting to tackle this project an dno real good reasons for 'needing' it!

stugpanzer · Sep 7, 2017

chim said:
Here's a source for fairly inexpensive steel fittings. They have them for 3/4" EMT to 1-7/8" OD pipe. The eye bolts don't appeal to me but they could be replaced with HHMS:

Canopy Fittings and Portable Shelter Connectors

I have seen these types of connectors. I could make some as well with 1" conduit but then what would I use my 3d printer for? LOL

stugpanzer · Sep 7, 2017

o2batsea said:
I recommend epoxy resin. Gives far better results on bare wood. Your first few coats thin with 50% xylene. That will soak deep into the wood. Allow a full day between coats. After you get a couple coats then hit it with 60 paper. Next put a single layer of cloth. Lay it on dry. Push all the wrinkles out and leave it draped over the edge. Pour straight epoxy resin on and use a plastic scraper (like for bondo) to push it down into the cloth evenly. After a while trim the draped excess when the resin is leather hard and not tacky. Next day after it is fully hard, hit it with 120 paper. With a roller, add another couple coats to completely fill the cloth and bring up the surface. Final sand and paint with 2part epoxy primer followed by your topcoat.

You can also make a lighter weight top by bending up a perimeter frame and a couple arced ribs. The ends of your perimeter should be the same arc as the ribs. Use the textured 1/8 thick fiberglass panel from lowes or Home Depot as your cover (the cheesy stuff they line bathrooms with). Pop rivet the stuff every 4 or so inches to your frame. Trim with shears so you leave an inch or so drip edge. Light, strong and cheeeeeeep.

I opted for the Fiberglass Resin. i don't intend on making this perfect...just water proof or at least water resistant. I will be painting the top as well.

stugpanzer · Sep 7, 2017

So I measured and cut a 3/4 piece of plywood to the desired size for my snow cab roof.

I used my router to round one edge which will be the top:

I put some wax paper down onto the work surface under the plywood:

I applied the resin on the plywood top and sides:

Next steps will be to do the underside and then I want to really get the edges with one more coat. Once I am done with the resin I will paint it probably with Rustolemm Enamel paint.

I am also scoping out the frame of the tractor to determine what/where my attach points will be for the cab.

More to come.....

fatjay · Sep 8, 2017

If you're going to make the roof wood, you're going to be top heavy, no matter how well you secure it.

Here's my plywood cab, around 6:05 I do a walk-around off it: IMG 16 - YouTube

It's top heavy. It sways. This is why I made my new cab out of sheet aluminum. Not to expensive, very light, and very sturdy.

stugpanzer · Sep 8, 2017

fatjay said:
If you're going to make the roof wood, you're going to be top heavy, no matter how well you secure it.

Here's my plywood cab, around 6:05 I do a walk-around off it: IMG 16 - YouTube

It's top heavy. It sways. This is why I made my new cab out of sheet aluminum. Not to expensive, very light, and very sturdy.

Hmmmm, I will have to consider this. Thank you!

fatjay · Sep 8, 2017

When ever I run over a lump of snow or curb when in that tractor, the whole thing sways. It's secure, but still, it definitely moves.

Almost forgot, if you go to remove it, it's going to be VERY HEAVY!