Gluing Tractor Cab Glass

[ray66v]

I too plan on using the urethane glass adhesive used on tractors/heavy equipment, I do not understand why most are against using this method, If your cab is built solid like a factory unit what is the reason for the concern? If the boys at the factories use it on compact tractors I think it would be fine, I have replaced glass in heavy equipment with it and it is VERY strong stuff, Again I see it on compact tractor cabs on todays models.
Just my .02 cents!

All auto glass has been done with urethane for about 20 years now. And as posted, it is to add strength to the body of the vehicle. Yes, they are built so flimsy now, the glass has to stiffen them up.

On a tractor cab, your going to build yourself, you have the option of either the urethane or using a rubber gasket.

If your design isn't flimsy, I would use the rubber gasket. I have used both, and I like this better. The gasket will give you a nice finished look, inside and out.

 

[mcd176]

Ok, Here are a few things I have found out and am planning:

1. My cab will be built with 1 1/2" tube 1/8 thickness, it will mount to the mounts where my operators platform mounts, On my Kubota the entire operators platform is mounted in rubber to reduce vibration, therefore I am ahead of the game already.

2. I do not want to have to "skin" the cab with sheet metal except in a few places, therefore my glass will have mount directly to the tube that makes up the structure of the cab just like all of the current factory cabs do.

3. I spoke to a local glass man today regarding the urathane, As someone else stated he said that the glass will actually make the cab stronger because the glass used is very strong, and that it will work for my application just as it does on heavy equipment, I also discovered that the glass wont be near as expensive as I was originally thinking.

4. One thing that I thought of today as I was measuring a new L5740's factory cab is this: The door is entirely made of glass no framework, what does that tell us about the strenght

I will keep you all posted as i progress.

-Mike

 

[mcd176]

Today I visited my local NAPA Auto Parts Store, they sell a High Viscosity Fast Cure Urathane Adhesive, Their part # is: 4180, This is the same adhesive that My buddy used when we replaced the glass in a CASE Excavator.

 

[E_Sanborn]

urethane works great for that application, but a couple of notes: (1) surfaces to be bonded should be cleaned with an appropriate solvent - but not mineral spirits. Should be a wetted area, if that means anything to you. (2) Properly bonded, it with be a *itch to take off. (3) If the structure is not sufficently ridgid, the glass will be a load bearing member - that could be bad if it's not saftey or tempered glass.