open station vs cab

[seca111]

Is it just me or do you feel more in control on an open station tractor?

I used to have a JD 301 open station tractor. I remember one day in the snow our power went out and I remembered that there was a downed tree at the bottom of the hill. Hill is a little steep but only about 20-30 feet high so off I went in the 2wd tractor and put it in low and creeped down the hill. cut up the wood, and then proceeded to take about 3 hours to get back up the hill. going front ways, back ways, and finally driving over a bunch of scrub oak to give me enough traction on the tires to get up and over and back to the house.

now I have a Kubota l3240 cabbed tractor 4wd and for some reason I just don't feel comfortable going down that hill. I don't really need to go down it, except I'd like to scrape up some rocks into a pile at the bottom because its hard on the horses, but still I keep thinking yup and I should go down and do that and then I don't.

I don't know if its the thought of being able to jump from it (which I don't think so because I was never ever worried on the old tractor) or just being able to see, hear everything made me more at ease.

 

[TripleR]

It may just be a personal thing or not enough hours in the cab compared to open station, hard to tell. I run cab and open station, but primarily cab tractors and I don't feel any different in a cab as to control.

Everyone is different though as I got a really good used L5030 HSTC when the owner traded it in on an open station L5740 open station, now we are both happy.

 

[whistlepig]

There was pretty lengthy discussion about this not that long ago on this forum. It was very objective with both cab an open station owners giving very good opinions. It was one of the better posts I have read on this forum.

 

[Don87]

What you are experiencing is the lack of 'hearing' what is going on around you.
The cab is totally different from the open station.
If you have any window in the cab you can open, it will help you to 'hear', but if it's any consolation at all...........it never was the 'hearing' as you were riding........it's actually the 'feel'.
You can feel what's happening with the machine, usually long before you ever hear much.
I've run car, truck, skidder dozer, tractor.....with and without cab.
Honestly...........it's the 'feel', not the 'hearing'.
By the way, the cab makes the tractor feel bigger than it actually is...........that works on the mind also.
Hope this helps

 

[brandoro]

One thing that I think makes the cabbed tractor 'feel' different is that you have a visual reference, the cab window frames, that the open tractor doesn't have. Until you get used to how much those frames can be off plumb without it being a problem the tractor 'feels' like it is leaned more. The cab does raise the center of gravity a little but that can be easily offset by an attachment carried low.

 

[E/S]

One thing that I think makes the cabbed tractor 'feel' different is that you have a visual reference, the cab window frames, that the open tractor doesn't have. Until you get used to how much those frames can be off plumb without it being a problem the tractor 'feels' like it is leaned more. The cab does raise the center of gravity a little but that can be easily offset by an attachment carried low.

This is exactly what I experienced with my M85 a year ago. Having always operated open station equipment, the addition of reference points and being closed in bothered me.
After 1 year/ 200hrs I have adjusted to it and don't want to go back
( especially clearing snow ).

E/S

 

[brandoro]

This is exactly what I experienced with my M85 a year ago. Having always operated open station equipment, the addition of reference points and being closed in bothered me.
After 1 year/ 200hrs I have adjusted to it and don't want to go back
( especially clearing snow ).

E/S

Especially clearing snow:thumbsup:
-20C (-4F), wind blowing, snow still falling and I'm in the cab with the heat on, jacket hanging open and gloves in my pocket. That is when you know you did the right thing getting the cab.

 

[sweettractors]

Going sideways on a hill a cab tractor is always going to be a little more top heavy than a comparable open station, If I am belted in my cab tractor, I feel pretty safe. In a open station, I have jumped out just before the tractor rolled over. If I had a seatbelt on that time, I would not be here today. NO ROPS :thumbdown: Ken Sweet

 

[MikeInEburg]

now I have a Kubota l3240 cabbed tractor 4wd and for some reason I just don't feel comfortable going down that hill.

Does your l3240 have rear wheels that will adjust to a wider stance? It's amazing what a couple of inches wider will do for the feel of stability.

Mike

 

[E/S]

Going sideways on a hill a cab tractor is always going to be a little more top heavy than a comparable open station, If I am belted in my cab tractor, I feel pretty safe. In a open station, I have jumped out just before the tractor rolled over. If I had a seatbelt on that time, I would not be here today. NO ROPS :thumbdown: Ken Sweet

Ken,
I think the not being able to bail factor was the hardest part to get over.
I have never owned a tractor with ROP, and never will.

E/S