Sims verses Curtis Cabs

[moweraxle]

Sims has new cab for the BX2200 w/LA211 loader 1495.00 w no options. My dealer has one in stock with my name on it and my better half said I can have it. DOB 2/5/45
How does it compare with the Curtis! I was told the Curtis cab for the BX2200 will be 2 more months before thay can deliver one. Being redesigned for taking the hyd. control off with the leader

 

[Deerlope]

From what I have read and researched Curtis is the better of the two but more money also. Ended up building my own, cost me about $500. Not heat but it keeps the snow off from the blower.

 

[sandyc]

I have a Sims cab on my 2200. Love it! Keeps me warm and dry. There are spotlights on each corner, a windshield wiper, defroster, and a heater. I am not sure what the individual prices are as I got it as a package deal with the tractor.
I have seen the curtis....it is well made as is the Sims.
Good luck on the problem solving.......

 

[Junkman]

I have seen the quality of the Curtis, but I have not observed the quality of the Sims. I would wait for the Curtis cab, since winter is almost over. Curtis is made in Worcester Ma and being a local company has a value.
Here is the info from Sims site:
Kubota - Compact Tractor - Standard Cab - Part Number: 52BX22000101A
This part covers the following model numbers:
BX1800, BX2200, BX1500

Cab has steel roof, acoustical headliner, front windshield glass, electric wiper, supporting corner posts, steel frame door (LH Only) with clear poly vinyl panels, right side vinyl panel and rear steel and glass panel. NOTE: This cab fits bare tractors (without a loader). There is another model that will fit the tractor with a loader, and the specs are the same. I believe that the accessories are at extra cost on the Sims as well as the Curtis...

From the Curtis site:

1KBXAS Kubota BX 1800/2200 Hard Sided Deluxe 350 $2,595
1KBXSS Kubota BX 1800/2200 Soft Sided Deluxe 300 $1,595


Unfortunately, the Curtis site doesn't give much information. One thing to consider, is that once it is on, it doesn't come off very easily and you have to consider getting it into your garage. The cabs are about 1" higher than the ROPS in most cases...

 

[LarryG]

I have the Curtis soft side cab myself. I am very pleased with the quality and the construction of it. I bought mine in 2000 and paid $1200 for it after I had my BX2200 for 5 months. It came with metal framed doors on both sides that are lockable and removable, glass windshield with electric wiper, and plastic windows on the back and behind the doors to the back of cab that are removable as well. I installed two 55 watt lights on the roof for using the loader and a electric rear window defogger for the windshield from JC Whitney. I am going to replace the rear window defogger with a two speed 15000 btu heater from a company in Cleavland, Ohio called Mills Supply that has them on sale for $103. It appears to be the same heater that Curtis offers on their web site for $269. I just have to pick up a couple of clamps, hose, and fittings to install. Well worth the savings. As I said, I am very satisified with my Curtis cab.

 

[tawilson]

That's a good move on buying the heater. I got the Curtis heater for $220 and it was still overpriced for what it is. The grills are pretty flimsy plastic and I can't see them holding up. I think J.C. Whitney has one for about $130.

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">(
How does it compare with the Curtis! I was told the Curtis cab for the BX2200 will be 2 more months before thay can deliver one. Being redesigned for taking the hyd. control off with the leader )</font>

I have the Curtis cab and I really like it. I haven't seen the Sims to compare, but I was removing slush from my drive yesterday in the pouring rain but with the heat on it was just like sitting in my living room! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Well, pretty close anyway.

 

[bitseeker]

How did the two speed 15,000 btu heater work out?

Google yields nothing for Mills Supply Cleveland. Would you please post contact information.

Thanks

 

[Inspector507]

Found a Mill Supply that has a 216 area code which is Cleveland, may be the same.

Mill Supply

Look under Stepvan parts.......then auxilliary heaters......$102.49

 

[LarryG]

I have not got the heater yet. I am going to order in a week or so. The web site is www.millsupply.com My father-in-law is living with us for the last year and a half and is having some health problems. I've been tied up with this situation for the last couple of weeks and we just got him home from the hospital. Prognosis is not good so I am limited with time to do things at the moment.

 

[moweraxle]

I purchased the Sims cab w/ glass rear window, standard equipment, no other options, 1495.00 plus 50.00 to get it across the boarder. Curtis Cab 1595.00 plus 295.00 for glass rear window, saved 345.00. Went together very easy and there was no drilling holes like with the Curtis. Used it the rain and wind yesterday and it stayed 54 F. inside cab, windshield wiper worked great. Over all I am vary pleased.

 

[rbarker]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I purchased the Sims cab w/ glass rear window, standard equipment, no other options)</font>

Looks great! Could we impose on you for more pictures? How about some close ups of how they handle the fuel fill and the hydraulics?

Thanks, and enjoy!

 

[Junkman]

Larry.....

How long did it take to install? Would you say that it could be easily removed for the summer? Did you buy it directly from Sims or the dealer? What is the windshield made of ? Doors? How do you deal with the ROPS? Did you get a heater? Please give us all the details.... I would like one for my BX-22, but Curtis doesn't make one and the one that they make for the BX-2200 is a bear to install and remove. They didn't recommend that it be removed once installed... Thanks..

 

[LarryG]

I have the BX2200 not the BX22. I don't know how long it took to install as the dealer did it when they changed the fuel tank. I think they said about 6 hours for the initial install. I'm sure that if you plan ahead that once you have it on and plan on removing it and putting it back on that it will take less time after the first install. The windshield is tempered glass and the doors are steel frame with canvas and plastic windows. The doors lock but if someone wants in bad enough they will no matter what you do. I bought the soft side cab. The side and back windows are plastic as well. The cab is set so that it is in front of the ROPS so that is not a problem. I don't bother to take it off as you can remove the doors whenever you want and the side and back windows are velcro attached. The doors are on pin hinges at the top and bottom. I am going to order the heater this weekend. The windshield opens about 4 inches at the bottom for air circulation in warmer weather. I seem to remember a post a while back about someone that takes theirs off for the summer but I don't bother. I just went out and looked at it and it doesn't look as though it would be to hard to take off but why bother? It gives you shade from the sun and keeps you dry if it starts to rain. The other point is you would need two people to remove it due to being awkward and I don't know how much it weighs. Then there are the electrical connections for the windshield wiper as well. I do feel that it is very well constructed and am pleased with it. I'm sure that is someone wanted, they could put in plexiglass panels to make a hard side cab. I hope that this helps you out.
Larry

 

[Junkman]

Now I am throughly confussed....... are you the same Larry as Moweraxle or another Larry????? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[moweraxle]

Here are 4 more pic of sims cab.Will take some close ups of fuel fill and hydraulics over the week end and post. To answer some of the other questions.It took 6-8 hours to installand that was taking my time and cleaning all the parts first. I don't see why it cann't be removed because it is bolted on by removing the Grab handles which leave 2 10mm studs on each side of fenders and you use the bolt at the front edge of the tractor floor board on each side and 2 "Z" straps that hook around the ROPS. I am going to use 2, 2" straps around the roof panel and host it up off of the tractor. "I hope" It weights about 170 lbs. or that was what was maked on the boxes (110lbs. & 60lbs.) If you goto www.simscab.com and look up Kubota-Sub-Compact Tractor-Standard Cab part # 52BX22000201A you can read all the standard features. I bought from my dealer for 1495.00 w/ no shipping cost (65.00) but he did charge me the 50.00 brooker fee to get across the Canden boarder. All the glass windows are tinted safety glass. Visablity in all directions was very good when I was removing my snow banks Sunday at the bottom of my driveway. So far I am very pleased with it. I ordered the HD alternator and will get some filter with the money I saved not buying the Curtis cab. Thanks every one for all your input.

 

[moweraxle]

Picture #2

 

[moweraxle]

Sims Cab Picture # 3

 

[moweraxle]

Sims Cab picture #4, that's all folks!!

 

[LarryG]

No, I am not the same Larry as moweraxle. I registered here back in August of 2000. The Larry known as axlemower registered in November of 2003. It does appear that we may be in the same area somewhat though as he says that he is in upstate NY. I hope that this clears up the Larry thing.