Homemade Canopy

[nh1520]

The "flat" top measures approx 36 1/2" (outside width of the ROPS) x 48" long. Perfect length @ 48" since I was tired of cutting the plate after cutting off the two "wings" and then again to the finished width. The "wings" are 2 1/2" wide and the angle is maybe 5° at the most. I wanted to make sure that the outside width was well inside the tire width for obvious reasons. The width was trimmed tight to the frame and then the wings added so it would help me "guide" the heavy top as it is slid forward. Once you get it started on the frame you don't have to worry about it sliding off to the side.

My loving wife - who was observing the work - casually mentioned that if I was careful with the angle of the wings I wouldn't make them lower than the angle iron height and therefore lessen the chance of someone hitting their head when jumping up in. Of course I had never thought of that good idea tidbit - so being the typical man, I lowered my welding helmet and went back to work blowing her off, I then waited for her to go inside and then adjusted the angle like she said. Later on I broke down and told her how much I appreciated her comments - laughing all the time. She was tickled that she came in handy.

Bird - I'll let you know how hot it gets under there and for adding insulation board. I thought if I needed to I could easily cut a piece for inside the angle frame and use pre-drilled steel strip pieces to make a clean look. Thank you for your advice. We just started wearing short pants this summer in PA (smile) so I'm not sure I'll need anything right away - but its a good idea.

I'll post a distance view so you guys can see what it looks like from a distance. Thanks again!

 

[Bird]

We spent most of a summer in northern PA a few years ago; not nearly as hot as it is here. Five days in a row of 100+ and high humidity last week. I spent last Saturday tearing down and disposing of an old 6' x 10' metal storage building with a rotten wood floor, and then hauled 500# of sand to level the spot it had been in. Almost more than an old man could do in that heat. Then sure enough, the weatherman that night said it was the hottest day we'd had in two years. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I spent last Saturday tearing down and disposing of an old 6' x 10' metal storage building with a rotten wood floor, and then hauled 500# of sand to level the spot it had been in. )</font>

/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Wait a minute! You did all that without a tractor of any kind?? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Are you sure you remembered to use your canopy when you had your tractor? I think you fried your brain! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[icat]

The canopy looks great! I'll be glad when I'm out at the farm "full time" and can devote the time to projects such as this. For now, I'll just have to be content with buying ready made and installing. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Picking up my new canopy tomorrow so that should brighten my day (well, actually it should shade my day). /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Sixgunsix]

Nice cap. I recently bought a Massey with Westerndorf Cool Cap on it. By accident the trucker while delivering the tractor destroyed it. I looked around for a replacement, I now know why you built your own. But I got the idea of visiting the golf cart repair shop, they have caps for golf carts. I bought a replacement "EZ- GO" cap for $20.00 used. I will try to do a digital. But this is a nice and cheap way to put a cap on your tractor.

Six.......

 

[nh1520]

<font color="blue"> </font>
Henro - here is a side view with canopy on ready to go do some brush hogging. Made it back from the woods with the canopy still attached - so I figure I'm way ahead.

I sure do appreciate all the kind comments and good advice I have gotten from this board. Lets see - now I'm thinking about my next project - adding some front wheels to my brushhog to make it a rough cut, three wheeled "finish" mower. I'll have to run ask the wife what she is doing this weekend. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif <font color="blue"> </font>

 

[Henro]

That looks real nice...

Never did learn how to be political...usually just say what I think or keep quiet. If I ever make one I hope it looks that good!

 

[JRP]

This looks like a very functional canopy. A few suggestions for others wishing to tackel one:

1. 1/8" mirror finish aluminum diamond plate is much lighter, requires no paint ever, and also acts like a mirror to reflect radiant heat. much cooler. The commercial canopys are 0.060" aluminum and tear up easily from tree limbs. My 1/8" thich top breaks tree limbs.

2. Bird mentioned insulation. "Plenum board" is a sheet product like plywood that also adds heat insulation and more important absorbs sound making the canopy more quiet.

3. You can cut some slots partway through the angle pieces that go perpendiculat to the tractor centerline. Bend the angle so the cuts close up, and weld the cust. This adds a curvature that both strenthens the canopy and also sheads rain off the canopy. See photo.

 

[JRP]

Forgot one:

4. A sheet metal shop broke 1.5" lips on the side for only $10.

 

[nh1520]

Jim - excellent looking canopy. I never thought of aluminum. I was thinking weld all the way when I build mine and I have never welded AL. By the time I was far enough into the project that I realized bolting the top was in order - I already had the 1/8" mild steel diamond plate. Nice looking job for sure and that no paint scheme is always a plus.

I was just out sniffing around my two John Deere 140 garden tractors and a canopy for my worker '69 140 H3 is already rolling around upstairs. The 140 series garden tractors are pretty much "pre-compliant" for safety features and the seats mount to the fender deck with conventional steel u-shaped seat springs. They ride like crap - I swear you can run over a dime and tell what year it is - but it makes a neat mechanism to bolt stuff to that I can remove in a hurry in case the "correct police" come around inspecting for originality(giggle). I have a golf umbrella mounted into a custom holder (I'll throw in a picture for reference - I beg everyones pardon as I realize this isn't the garden tractor board).

Anyway you can bet it will have the polished AL top with the bends in the front and rear angles of the top frame for that slight bowed look which I really think sets it off. That method is exactly how I bent my 90° angles on my New Holland frame. Cut the notches, heated the joint and just pulled it around to square and welded it up. I like how the bent portion is rounded with no sharp corners.

You sure have the better mousetrap on this one. Thanks for sharing. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif