To cab or not to cab?

[Ductape]

I love my cabbed tractor with hydro..................

With an open station tractor with clutch, I'd ruin my penny loafers in ten minutes !

 

[Spudland_Dave]

I have often wondered how much of a pain those cabs like the Curtis brand that folks put on their tractors for winter use are in the summer? Without AC do they open up enough to be cool, and do they really get in the way?

I can answer that Q..... We have a Laurin Cab on a Kubota L2900. My thoughts. The Laurin cab we have has opening windows, so its not TOOO bad, but if you get out in the open sun with no breeze, it becomes a greenhouse. I know the doors are easy to remove, so if you really wanted too, you could remove both doors and have a "Deluxe 4 Post ROPS/Canopy"

But like we said above, on days hot like that, my dad keeps his Kubota in the garage because its "too hot to work" and I head outside and hop into my A/C'ed Deere.

My gripe with aftermarket cabs today is purely financial. For the same money as a good aftermarket cab (Laurin/Jodale Perry) you're into a factory cabbed machine with A/C.

 

[jenkinsph]

I agree with Dave that the factory designed cab tractors are the best way to have a cab unit. The upscale aftermarket cabs such as JoDale Perry and Laurin are very good though and are available with AC. I bought the Laurin cab because Deere doesn't offer a cab for the 110tlb. After five years with the Laurin cab I am glad I didn't wait for Deere to produce a cab model 110.

Tractors that have an optional factory cab available would be my first choice. I should also add that cab tractors should have AC too as they can get very warm without it. I know that if I shut off the AC in my 4520 in the summer sun it can become unpleasant in minutes. Lucky for me I am in the HVAC business. I would be leary of buying an aftermarket cab for an open station tractor where a cab model is available. Hard to justify the cost of the cab upgrade which is substancially higher than a factory cab option.

I was concerned about the cabs getting in the way on my jobs initially as many people here have expressed. What I have found is that the cabs seem to make very little difference in where I can go. I find that to get my canopy tractor under limbs is harder than the cab tractors and is more likely to have the limbs hang up. If we are to be safe and operate these machines with the rops up then where you can fit an OS or cab tractor is very similar. I for one don't think it is prudent to drive a tractor through limbs in an OS tractor with limbs around my neck and face. While I have done that in my early years with out a rops I don't think it is a wise thing to do after having more experience. I should also note that with smaller limbs and branches they will slide easily around the cab glass but yes, some judgement is required.

As far as entry and exit from a cab I find the newer tractors to be far easier than the older models, lots of room to get in and out without a problem. Opening and closing the doors doesn't seem to make much difference, maybe adds a few seconds.

I would suspect the biggest consideration when choosing between an opens station, canopy or cab tractor is the cost. The cab tractor is going to cost more than the same open station model no doubt. At this point we all have to make our own decisions. The second consideration is roof clearance for storage, if you have to fold the rops to park it then a cab may not be for you. While my tractors are stored outside for now I am hoping to resolve this with a new shop being completed soon. In the meantime the cabs do help with some prevention of weathering.

 

[nmu98]

Careful, some blasted lawyer will think this is a good idea.

HUH, maybe I can save deere a law suite by sending in that suggestion. I would hate for a manly man to hop in a cabbed tractor and thing he could do the same job as his OS, only to end up....... well...... a metrosexual.......:laughing:

Maybe we could have some T-shirts made.

Some could say, I like it open on top, like Roy....

Others could say.. I like bubble tops, and women......:laughing:

 

[Rob-D]

HUH, maybe I can save deere a law suite by sending in that suggestion. I would hate for a manly man to hop in a cabbed tractor and thing he could do the same job as his OS, only to end up....... well...... a metrosexual.......:laughing:

Maybe we could have some T-shirts made.

Some could say, I like it open on top, like Roy....

Others could say.. I like bubble tops, and women......:laughing:

Well heck, would John Wayne get a cab for his horse?

 

[DelSc]

Hard to cab a horse, but today's Cavalry rides around in Abrams tanks and Bradleys. I guess you could consider them to be cabbed vehicles rather than open station.

 

[Rob-D]

Hard to cab a horse, but today's Cavalry rides around in Abrams tanks and Bradleys. I guess you could consider them to be cabbed vehicles rather than open station.

Big difference. Someone is shooting at you in a tank. Be pretty ineffective if it was an open cab!

 

[vsumoski]

Darn horseflies!
Can we get a cab Pa?



Couldn't resist.
Vince

 

[gimmodog]

I have a 4200 & 4300 open air and a 4720 w/cab. I enjoy the open air WHEN it is nice out but it is usually not. The cab has too many pros vs the cons. There are many jobs that are done that are very dirty, dirt, grass clippings in your eyes. I ordered industrial tires on the 4720 when I ordered it and got nervous many times on a steep hillside. I put wide turf tires on the rear, now I don't worry about it being top heavy, and I have some very steep hills on my place. Just be careful when using the FEL on a hill, but then again you must watch it with an open unit also. I ordered the cab only because I cannot take the heat in my older age. I have since found many other reasons that I like it. The sound deadening and music is also a nice addition. After you have it for a while you will be very happy that you ordered it with a cab. On nice days you can always take the doors off and open the rear window.

 

[Rob-D]

Darn horseflies!
Can we get a cab Pa?

Yes honey but they're expensive, you're going to have to start charging your male callers more than a quarter.