Plans for removable canopy comments

[bnixon]

I have been thinking (This usually gets me into trouble! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif). Here in Houston the sun and heat in the summer time..well all of the time /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif, is enough to make you not want to get any seat time. So I decided I needed a canopy.

My dilemma is two fold.

1) The cost of manufactured canopies are beyond my reach! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

2) I have to have one that can be removed really easily. I have a huge oak tree that I mow under, every week, and there is no way to get it done with a canopy.

So here is my first pass at a design. I kind of took the John Deere quick attach bucket idea and adapted it to a canopy.

take a look and give me some feedback. I will be making it from small square tubing and light gauge sheet metal to keep it light (I don't know how to weld on aluminum with a stick welder /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif)

Give me some feedback as this group has more great ideas than you can shake a stick at!

thanks,

 

[fivestring]

Looks pretty sweet to me!!! Be sure it gets a coat of blue on it to match.....

 

[BubbaJr]

Hello,
It looks nice, but I would build it solid and take a chainsaw to the offending limbs on the tree until you have the needed clearance.

 

[bnixon]

Not in this case!

This oak tree is over 100 years old and about 7ft in diameter at the base. It has the low drouping limbs with the moss hanging from them. To cut these limbs would just be WRONG!

So I need a removable solution.

 

[Nelson]

You can get Aluminum stick rod. I've used it, it works pretty good.

 

[Whiskey]

Bnixon:

I personaly see nada wrong with your idea, looks great to me and fairly simple to take off and on. You have the pivot point that it will hang on and pivot up on to put that pin in could be done easly by on guy.

I do think welding would make the whole project look better than bolting but, either way should do you just fine.

Allost forgot.....before I post this I did see some canvus tops made by DIYguy (check his web site) maybe something to look into before you go out buying alumn. and it would be light to boot.

Whiskey

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I love the design. It's good enough to steal. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif The ONLY thing I see that I'd ask you about is the piece coming down from the large gusset on the canopy frame to the pieces attached to your ROPS. If that's drawn to scale, I wonder if that piece couldn't be a bit larger. Then again, I tend to overbuild everything. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

By the way, what did you use to draw this and post it? It looks really nice and I'd love to be able to do something like that instead of writing two pages to explain something. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[DUMBDOG]

You could always use a push mower under the tree, less seat time but a lot less work than removing the canopy each week.

 

[RHughes]

Looks great!
Please post pictures of the finished product.

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( less seat time but a lot less work than removing the canopy each week. )</font>

Unless the tree is out in the back 40! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

I like your idea. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I'm going to be needing something like that once I get my tractor, because I'll never know from job to job whether I'll have to worry about overhead clearance or not. It would be nice to have a canopy that a guy can get on and off easily by himself.

You can send me the "detail" plans once you get them all drawn up! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Egon]

One of those big cowboy hats should work fine. Lots of coverage and easy on easy off.

Egon

 

[StanInCalif]

Looks good- much more sophisticated than my plan, which uses 1/2" plywood and 1 1/2" flat stock.
You may have to make your own U-bolts- I haven't found square U-bolts in that size. Also, pop rivets may be the simplest way to attach the top.

 

[chim]

I'm afraid I took the easy way out. When seat time comes and the sun is up and hot, it's a big white straw hat and a long-sleeved white shirt. One nice feature is the "canopy" goes up and down with my head /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif..............chim

 

[bgott]

You can make it as heavy as you want. Install an eyebolt in the top and when you get to that tree, run the canopy under a limb that is high enough to clear, tie the canopy to the limb, lose the canopy, mow the grass under the low limbs and then hook back up to your canopy and go about your business. If you build it too light you stand the chance of vibration cracks in the structure. A little heft can can also keep it from disintegrating from a light brush up against something solid.

 

[bnixon]

Whiskey,

I do plan on welding all but where it will bolt to the ROP with "U" bolts. I just plan on using mild sleet rather than aluminum since I have never welded aluminum before. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I had thought about putting a canvas top on it but thought if I used thin sheet metal it would last longer without having to mess with it. But I am still undecided at this point.

 

[bnixon]

Gary_in_Indiana,

That verticle piece will be 2X2 tubing. Probably 1/8 ". With the gusset it should be pretty stout...but I will not be driving down any highways with it attached /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif. I don't trust the design that much /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[bnixon]

Golfgar4,

I'll post all as this thing progresses. It might be a little while before I can actually start burning some stick though. You know the onld "Honey Do List"! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[bnixon]

StanInCalif,
I didn't even think about not being able to get "U" bolts! I have seen others who have "U" bolted things to their ROP.

Anyone out there that has done so....Is it hard finding "U" bolts that will go around your ROP? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

If so I can just make my own.

 

[Whiskey]

Bnixon:

If your local hardware store dosn't carry them, I change out the "U" bolts on my boat axles every couple of years and my local marine dealer has bins loaded with them, so try a marine trailer company.

Whiskey

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

You should be able to get square U bolts in 1/2" increments up to about 6". If you don't find the exact size you need, just offset your holes a bit so the U bolt will be snug on each side. Problem solved! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I've use 6" U bolts on a 3" piece that way with no problems at all. When I use two I angle them in opposite directions like / \ instead of // or \\ though I don't know that it matters.