Lets get it right

[Going4it]

Hello new and old members.
I'm an old guy, but a new member. I'm looking to purchase my first and last tractor all in one motion. My retirement home in northern WI has a 600 foot gravel drive with a 10 degree incline heading out. There is 3 acres of wood to clean up and I need to clear a spot for a garage. After the clearing, my tractor will be used only for driveway maintenance and snow blowing ( front mount) as I'm not as flexible as I used to be. I was considering the Kubota B2650, 26 HP. Now it is being replaced by the LX2610. Pretty much the same tractor mechanically, just more bells and whistles. My dilemma is, should I get the cab model or not? Will the cab muffle the sound of different functions? I am used to listening to my tools/machinery run and know when I am pushing them. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the subject. Would anyone in the north snow country even consider going without a cab?

Keep the top up!

 

[old and tired]

If you can afford it... heck yea, get the cab. Snow Blowing + Cab = :cloud9:

 

[Going4it]

The money is going into the tractor, or a new boat. Either way it will be well spent. Thanks old and tired.

 

[sandman2234]

I live in Florida, so that that with a grain of salt! I would think a cab would be great for blowing snow, as it allows the operator to wear shorts and flip-flops while clearing the driveway. However, when clearing woods and keeping them cleared, there is usually a lot of glass breakage that comes along with that territory. Glass breakage usually isn't cheap on most tractors. You might want to considered having the woods cleared with a piece of rented equipment if you buy a cab.
David from jax

 

[KennyG]

Decision has to be based on how much you are going to do in the woods and whether you will be mostly just dragging things out which you can do with a long chain. My tractor didn't have a cab option but I'm pretty happy with a soft cab which I can take off during the warmer months. Also, it saves a lot of money.

 

[rekees4300]

Hello new and old members.
I'm an old guy, but a new member. I'm looking to purchase my first and last tractor all in one motion. My retirement home in northern WI has a 600 foot gravel drive with a 10 degree incline heading out. There is 3 acres of wood to clean up and I need to clear a spot for a garage. After the clearing, my tractor will be used only for driveway maintenance and snow blowing ( front mount) as I'm not as flexible as I used to be. I was considering the Kubota B2650, 26 HP. Now it is being replaced by the LX2610. Pretty much the same tractor mechanically, just more bells and whistles. My dilemma is, should I get the cab model or not? Will the cab muffle the sound of different functions? I am used to listening to my tools/machinery run and know when I am pushing them. I'd like to hear your thoughts on the subject. Would anyone in the north snow country even consider going without a cab?

Keep the top up!

Yes you should get the cab model. I've been freezing my senior Hoosier azz off for 20 years on a 900 foot gravel drive because the shed door is too low for a cab. Also recommend you get tire chains for severe conditions. They make a BIG traction difference.

 

[RustyA]

Cab for sure not only for snow removal but ability to grade road in rain and keep bugs off in summer. Get a cab and make it your last tractor for sure��

 

[Going4it]

sandman2234 that's an idea I will look into! Being a first time user there will be a learning curve and I think I will be able to get a feel for the machine quicker without a cab.
Thank you

 

[Going4it]

KennyG my property is long and narrow so the chain drag will work. I don't expect to be in the woods much if any. Does the soft top fog up and become hazy over time?
Thanks for your time

 

[Thomas]

600' driveway blowing snow...I would lean towards cab. :thumbsup:

 

[Going4it]

RustyA I've only spent a few weekends up there but you are right about the bugs! Appreciate it!

 

[Going4it]

rekees4300 glad to see your at 20 years on the tractor. When I build the garage it will have a door tall enough to accommodate. I will probably need the chains and wheel spacers too. Thank you.

 

[Going4it]

Thomas, defiantly tilted that way. Thanks

 

[Wagtail]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

 

[Jstpssng]

Yes, welcome to the site. Also, for your purposes I would get a front mounted blower and a cab... just my :twocents:

 

[KCPO]

We own tractors old and new as well as cab and open station. Hearing and getting the feel on a modern machine is really a non issue; you'll feel a problem before you hear it and most need to be wearing hearing protection anyway. We parked our "woods" tractor years ago. Anything that will break glass will break bones or give you some pretty bad bruising. We found renting a cab, tracked skid steer for a couple of days a much better option. We have 150 plus acres in woods.

 

[Going4it]

G'day Mate and welcome to TBN from Downunder.

Enjoy the site.

Wagtail I am picking up some good information. Thanks

 

[Going4it]

Yes, welcome to the site. Also, for your purposes I would get a front mounted blower and a cab... just my :twocents:

Jstpssng I'll take your two cents! Thanks

 

[Going4it]

We own tractors old and new as well as cab and open station. Hearing and getting the feel on a modern machine is really a non issue; you'll feel a problem before you hear it and most need to be wearing hearing protection anyway. We parked our "woods" tractor years ago. Anything that will break glass will break bones or give you some pretty bad bruising. We found renting a cab, tracked skid steer for a couple of days a much better option. We have 150 plus acres in woods.

KCPO Thank you for your tip on feeling it before you hear it. That's the kind of information I was hoping to get from this site.

 

[buck12]

I have never used a snow blower so I have no input there. After having a non cabbed tractor for 12 years and now a cabbed tractor for 1.5 years I will share that experience.

At first when I went from no cab to a cab, I felt out of touch with the tractor. Over time this changed and now it’s second nature. The cab does deaden sound but I can still hear when something is amiss. My tractor does not deaden sound like a car or truck. Probably because of all the glass. I would no let that concern stop you from getting a cab if you want one.

As to working around trees, the cab is tougher than I anticipated. As a matter of fact I kept my non cabbed tractor for a while to work in the woods but ended up selling it because with care I could use the cab where I needed to.

After owning both no cab and cab, I am happy with a cab for my uses.