The ultimate cheap canopy

[EddieWalker]

I like it!!

I'm thinking of doing something similar with the hood off an S-10 blazer that I'm canabalizing.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Eddie

 

[woodlandfarms]

Us PT owners have our canopies mouned from the front ROPS (we do not have rear ROPS like normal tractors). Frankly, I love it. They make great Oh S*#$ handles, great places to hang your drink and do not obstruct the view at all. Also, they work great pushing limbs out of the way.

I saw some guys build front support using PVC Piping. You could also use conduit bender as well and make a mount out of conduit. Personally I think the 4 poster method is the best.

Carl

 

[TBDonnelly]

....and if you angle it correctly to take advantage of the downward draft,
you should increase the rear tire traction dramatically!!

Good find.

Don

 

[3RRL]

Heck, that looks pretty good on that Mahindra. It's not too big at all. Sure beats a Sun stroke or pneumonia. And if the price was right, it's a great deal.

Can't wait to see Eddie's contraption.

 

[mjncad]

@mjncad,

I've seen your posts and really I like what you've done with the ROPS mounted canopy...and the mirrors...and.... However, right now I'm torn between doing something like that versus building up full front supports which would lend itself to eventually enclosing it in. Also, the 4 post design would give me more places to attach stuff (mirrors, gunracks, toolbars, etc). But then again, your design seems aesthetically cleaner. Oh, I'm torn...TORN I tell ya. I'm sure when the rains return I'll make up my mind real quick.

Thanks for the compliments, I do appreciate them. Actually I am working on adding front posts to mine for a number of reasons: Minimize the vibration and bounce from a cantilevered canopy. I don't care how good the mounting frame is, that much hanging out is space wants to bounce. A permanent mounting platform for mirrors in the event I need to take the loader off. My arthritic back likes mirrors. A stable platform for high mounted front work lights. A place to mount a down and dirty wind screen if need be. If I need to put the tractor on a trailer, there will be less opportunity for the wind to rip off the top; though I still would put straps over the top for safety. And another little idea that I have in the back of my mini mind to hopefully make my life easier.

I'd like to enclose my 4200 too, and making front posts is a fabrication learning experience in that direction.

OK, the downside to front posts will be reduced visibility and as someone else in this thread mentioned, keep them as unobtrusive as possible. Also, the posts are going to make fueling chores more difficult and I know that.

I have no delusions that my current front post design is going to be a ROPS rated addition to my tractor.

 

[srjones]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get it done.

 

[moloss]

real cool score! something to think about.....when you mount it think about putting hinges in back and quick disconnects in front (so you can lay it down if you transport it somewhere)......or even quick disconnects all the way around (so you can take it completely off for transport)......that thing will be a parachute going down the road at 70mph.

 

[Harvey7]

Not bad at all and the color's perfect.

 

[Mighty Dodge]

Now you've done it. You got me think'n again. I want to make a canopy for mine also. A friend of mine works at a golf course and has access to golf cart roofs. He said he could get me one but it would be $45 which probably isn't a bad price but I'm cheap. I have a car top carrier that I don't use and tried to sell an auction, no bids so I brought it back home. Now I'm think'n maybe I could use the lid for a tractor canopy.....hmmmm.

 

[wolc123]

Think I have you beat. Covered a wood frame with an old canvas boat cover I got at a gararge sale for $2. Added some steel supports, took about 2 hrs total to build. Goes on or off in under 5 minutes with four bolts and is light enough to lift with one hand. About the same size as yours but about 1 ft deep in the center. Have used for (2) seasons and has held up great and blocks the sun better than the factory fiberglass job I had on my last tractor. The light weight and easy on/off is important to me as I have to fold my rops to get into some of my smaller barn doors on occassion.