Hard to believe we broke records today in western New York with 98 + degree heat and here I am sweating away in my garage building a cab for my BX2360. I've got most of the frame squared away but here's my question: I'm using Lexan for the front and rear windshields, how does Lexan react in the cold as far as fogging up? I haven't decided on how to heat the cab yet, might not even be any heat at all, so I'm wondering if I'll have any fogging issues. The tractor is kept in a heated garage so I'd be driving out from 50 degrees to teens / 20's most of the time. Thanks.
Kubota cab
- Thread starter sw18x
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Gauntlet
New member
Lexan will frost up in cold temps and it can become brittle if struck if it is thin material. You can easily apply a no fog lens cleaner to both sides of the glass which will help a little with frost buildup. I have seen small DC powered heaters and defrosters you could easily mount to keep the cab warmer. But, I would check the amperage draw on any heater as you may need to go for a larger alternator. I went with a larger alternator on my Kubota as I run extra forward lights when snowblowing at night.
mjncad
Super Member
You do know that we expect pix of any home built cab. 
Don87
Elite Member
You can possibly run copper from the engine, to a 'car heater core', inside the cab. Then it just requires a small fan and a swtch to operate.
radioman
Super Member
well- you can't stop breathing. your breaths has moisture and it will fog up the windows. I'd focus on getting real heat into the cab. Don't even try those 150 watts warmer heaters as it WILL NOT warm a cab. it may warm a spot on the windshield about 6 inches wide but that is not even enough to see safely. Had a car with heater that quit in middle of winter so thats how I know.:ashamed:
I built a cab last year and had the same questions as you. I used 1/4'' plexiglass everywhere, but I left the back open. My windows never fogged up once while snowblowing. I did put a small dc heater in to blow on the windshield just in case I needed it, but, believe it or not, I preferred to not run it at all!
Thanks for the feedback. I've heard of other guys plumbing in a heater from the tractor's cooling system, but I'm not sure if there will be enough room in the cab for the unit. The BX platform is pretty small, not a lot of room at the floor by my feet. Any idea where I could get hold of a unit like this to take measurements / look at it?
As for pics...when it's done I'll be posting, probably on the Kubota forum as well as customization or build it yourself (not sure which is the most approriate forum). Thanks again!
As for pics...when it's done I'll be posting, probably on the Kubota forum as well as customization or build it yourself (not sure which is the most approriate forum). Thanks again!
johnamon
Member
We have Curtis Cab with their heater. It works well. It is mounted near the base of the windshield so it blows up to the windshield, back to the operator, and down to the operator's feet.
20,000 BTU Mega Burner Tuck-Away Tuck-Away Heater
Good Luck!
John
20,000 BTU Mega Burner Tuck-Away Tuck-Away Heater
Good Luck!
John
Rabidhampster
New member
One tip i got from a guy was to get a small heatercore/blower assembly from a hotrod magazine, he said they are around $100 and u just tap into the coolant system and run a wire/switch for the blower
mjncad
Super Member
J.C. Whitney and other places have aftermarket heater units for less money than Curtis will sell you one. I suggest you do a Google for them.
rswyan
Super Star Member
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Here's probably the easiest way to find something that is very near the exact size you need and is relatively cheap:
Go to Summit Racing's website (because they have a large selection) and search for "fluid coolers" (transmission, oil, etc.)
Once you have the listing up for fluid coolers you'll be able to refine it by overall size (L x W x D), size of fittings, etc. Then sort the list by Price, low to high. Skip the coolers with fans (too pricey, and the fans will be too powerful .... and noisy)
Pickup a large muffin fan used for computers - I just picked some up ultra quiet Antec ones from ProVantage for around $10 or $15 I think.
Go to Summit Racing's website (because they have a large selection) and search for "fluid coolers" (transmission, oil, etc.)
Once you have the listing up for fluid coolers you'll be able to refine it by overall size (L x W x D), size of fittings, etc. Then sort the list by Price, low to high. Skip the coolers with fans (too pricey, and the fans will be too powerful .... and noisy)
Pickup a large muffin fan used for computers - I just picked some up ultra quiet Antec ones from ProVantage for around $10 or $15 I think.
600rider
Gold Member
I live in northwestern PA and I have had a home built cab on my tractor for about 15 years and have never needed a heater in it to keep the windows clear. If you blow snow into the wind and it blows back on you it will fog up but the heat of the transmission will take the chill off inside the cab. Most of the time I don't even wear gloves in the cab. The cab is not insulated and is made of plexy-glass except for the front and rear windows, they are safety glass because I have wippers and they will ruin plexy glass or lexan. That being said I would NOT use plexy-glass or lexan for the front or rear windows it scratches too easy use safety glass you will be much happier! I got mine from an auto salvage yard from a mini bus, and built the cab arround them. but you can buy it from a glass shop cut to whatever size you want and also get the rubber to install it if you want. Mine had an aluminum frame.
