Home built cab enclosure for Kubota L2600DT

mhinch · Feb 11, 2014

Well, here goes. After researching and studying various designs here and elsewhere I decided to get started on my cab.

I want it to incorporate a canopy as I don't have one now
The ROPS will not be removed
I have to design in a way to operate the backhoe if need be
Doors must be hinged at the front and detachable

Materials;
3/4" x 16 ga square tubing
16 ga hot rolled sheet
1 1/2" x 1/8" flat bar

Day 1 (3 hours)
Built the rear window frame incorporating the removable center section for backhoe operation. This frame is 43" wide x 32" high with a 21" center opening.
Then made the 2 side windows 18" wide x 32" tall.
Lastly, made the firewall 24" high then imparted angles to bring the cowl forward to cover the top of the dash. As you'll see a reinforcing spar was added, this will not only add strength but allow a high location for the top hinge.

Day 2 (3 hours)
Tied the right and left cowl together and built the front windshield frame at 28" tall x 43" wide and set it at a 70* angle similar to a Jeep! It then comes up vertical for 3" or so. I then set the top horizontal distance at 37" front to back. I then tied the side windows to the front windshield at 90* to the rear door pillar. This also took a whole bunch of funky geometry out of the door as did the spar on the front. I ordered a pair of slam latches off of ebay for $16 total. I'll have to drill,tap and add an inside handle to allow me to work the latch from the inside. I still have a few welds to complete and finish grinding them flush for finishing.

I'm planning on tinted safety glass installed with butyl tape for the windows. With the doors and center rear window removable and the canopy integrated mine will be a bolt on, semi permanent installation. I'll definitely be coming to you all for glass install advice in the near future. I'm still a little lost on weatherstrip, what to use, where to get, etc. Surplus Center is going to get hit for a wiper motor tonight as well as log splitter cylinder and valve, but that's for another build. For color, I'm going to go with, you guessed it, Kubota orange and a lite grey on the inside. I kind of like the spatter paint Chim used on his project but he noted it was not waterproof.
I'll update as I go and hope work will keep moving right along. Paint codes are appreciated!

super55 · Feb 12, 2014

nice fabricating. Keep the pics coming. I might end up using this thread as visual aide to build a cab for my Kubota.

mhinch · Feb 12, 2014

Super55,
Your 2500 is very similar in size to mine. Might just have to sell you one

!

super55 · Feb 12, 2014

mhinch said:
Super55,
Your 2500 is very similar in size to mine. Might just have to sell you one!

You never know. Might have you come up and build it on site. Wait that would only give me a 4 month window. From what I gather from the news if white stuff is falling from the sky the south shuts down.

chim · Feb 13, 2014

Coming along nicely. Brings back memories of last year struggling to complete mine for the snow (that didn't arrive till this year).

I still haven't done anything with the spatter paint and it's holding up OK. Of course I haven't hosed the inside of the cab. My concern was that condensation would make it run but the heater rids the cab of fog in a very short time.

I'm not sure how I could have done anything with the door gaskets without adding a strip of sheet metal to make a flange to put the gasket on. Here's a pic with the flange. At the time it was taken, the flange was on the door frame only. The same flange was run around all the glassed openings to bed the glass. The seals I used around the doors are like the #2 or #3 from McMaster:

McMaster-Carr

roygage · Feb 13, 2014

mhinch said:
Well, here goes. After researching and studying various designs here and elsewhere I decided to get started on my cab.

I'm planning on tinted safety glass installed with butyl tape for the windows. With the doors and center rear window removable and the canopy integrated mine will be a bolt on, semi permanent installation. I'll definitely be coming to you all for glass install advice in the near future. I'm still a little lost on weatherstrip, what to use, where to get, etc. Surplus Center is going to get hit for a wiper motor tonight as well as log splitter cylinder and valve, but that's for another build. For color, I'm going to go with, you guessed it, Kubota orange and a lite grey on the inside. I kind of like the spatter paint Chim used on his project but he noted it was not waterproof.
I'll update as I go and hope work will keep moving right along. Paint codes are appreciated!

Hey good friend, stop right now and click on my link for the low down on using junkyard weatherstripping, Also for the low down on installing Dakota wiper motor. I have been there down that. The best weatherstripping you can get is for free under the hoods and trunks of old cars. Life on Highway 9: Building a tractor cab.

mhinch · Feb 17, 2014

Well, I'm back. Been out the last 5 days keeping up with the kids since they've been out of school due to the weather.
Chim - thanks for the info. Your cab is very well designed and built. Thanks for the detailed posts in the past.
Roy - thanks for the highway 9 link. You also did an excellent job! I'll look at local yards for weatherstrip but will use the $25 surpluscenter 2 speed motor.

Today (4 hours)
Went over all welds and touched up, finished what needed done to them.
I then laid the cab on each side and traced the door opening onto the floor with a sharpie. I allowed 3/8" relief between the frame and the door. This made it super easy and relatively fast to frame out the perimeter of each door. I then added horizontal spars to accommodate the slam latches I received Saturday. Here's what that looked like

Just in case you all ever wondered what a welding elf looks like, here you go......

On to the tin work. I allowed an extra 1/2" overhang that I plan to add bead molding to just to finish it a little more. I drill many 3/16" holes to allow for plug welding.

Going to try and get windows cut out and sides and back skinned as soon as I can. Figured you guys might want an update and I'm gonna rest tonight. I've been thinking I might get some single stage paint mixed up in 'bota orange and try to spray this pig myself. ****, it's got to look better than using a short nap roller:laughing:

mhinch · Feb 24, 2014

Time to get this updated. Been working off and on for the last week but more off than getting anything done. I'd estimate I've got another 10 hours in it. I've skinned out the area above the doors, the back removable panel, shot some etching primer on it, applied body seam sealer to the inside. I've got to skin out the front windshield and above it and attach all of my mounting brackets to the frame. Have got to fair out the whole thing too.........If anyone needs details don't be scared to ask.

mhinch · Mar 14, 2014

Been making a little progress lately but the weather and school closings have slowed things down. Work's fixin to get in the way too. No worries, can't have one without the other!
I've skinned out the front and made some hinges to replace the hoopie looking cheap door hinges I had on there. They are simple rods that fit into steel tubing. They work pretty slick and make door removal a snap. Got all the seams sealed and filled plug welds with filler and rounded edges. Also located and fastened mounts with final fitting/squaring. I've gotta get this thing in primer and put the 'bota orange on it and install the glass