To Cab or not to Cab

[Rolando]

I would appreciate some opinions and insights on cabs. I'm looking at the B3030 and have been thinking about getting the cab model, since my procrastination has pushed the need for the tractor into converging with that model being delivered.

I won't be in danger of hypothermia here in north central Florida, or heat stroke with a canopy, so my interest in a cab has more to do with desire than necessity. Still, I'm thinking it might be nice and was wondering what others might have to say about this.

I will be mowing about 4 acres and plan to get the 72" belly mower. I won't have trees that close together and trimming around the house I'll do with a walk-behind mower. I will be sprinkling and using St. Augustine or some other type of non-pasture grass. I won't have a bagging option with the model (not that bagging would be practical anyway with this amount of land) so I will need to mow twice a week during the summer months (read 5 to 6 months, around here).

The climate here can get pretty cold for maybe 15 or 20 days a winter and that's not much of a factor anyway since we need to mow very little during the winter and can be selective as to when to do it. The summers, on the other hand, can get brutal. Much more so than south Florida, since we're in the middle of the state (very little breeze), and further north for longer days and higher sun. It's not uncommon to have 100°+ days and tons of 90°+ days. The humidity of course will usually be above 80% and many times above 90%.

Again, it's not a matter of necessity. And while I can afford it, it also goes against my nature to waste money outrageously. So I'm interested to see what you all think about this.

 

[teddydo]

I have a cab and have nevere regreted it. I don't think you would ever regret it either. It's cooler, cleaner, quieter and if there are draw backs, I haven't run into them yet. I think the cab on my 4330 cost about 5 grand. Luck to you in your decision. teddy

 

[Bird]

If an air-conditioned cab was within my financial means, I'd most definitely buy it. My own Kubotas were too small and no such option was available, and the bigger tractors I used that belonged to neighbors just didn't have cabs, but I did bale hay for awhile one day in an air-conditioned Deere and loved it. It's not only a more comfortable temperature, but also quieter and keeps the dust and debris from swirling around you.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

In your climate, if you get a cab you better get an air conditioner or you will very likely find that your cab will become unbearably HOT.

Even in northern Indiana I would not want a cab that did not have an AC unit in it.

 

[Rolando]

Most definitely, but this is the Kubota factory cab that I am considering, so it has both A/C and heat.

 

[JimMorrissey]

Rolando,

I would say a factory cab with A/C would be unbeatable in those conditions. That'll be a real nice setup.

You won't want to get out of it when you're done mowing /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Dargo]

The main reason I switched from JD to Kubota was because Kubota has a factory cab in the size tractor I need. The winter snow plowing is great and can be done while wearing a T shirt, and you can't beat the A/C for summer mowing. I won't do without a cab again. Besides, last summer when I mowed over a nest of ground bees, I got quite a kick out of watching them try to get me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

It's really nice to spend 4 or 5 hours mowing on a hot summer day and not have a single bug bite, no allergy issues, and still be clean and not have to take an immediate shower when finished! Heck, I can mow in a business suit if I want. If you haven't figured, I like my cab!

 

[hobbyfarm]

Rolando,
Definitely go cab. You'll climb off that thing when you're done with chores and not feel like you HAVE to shower NOW! To me, that's worth it! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Not to mention the brag factor! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Careful though, your more attractive half may think you're just out having fun. /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
phil

 

[Henro]

Where I live, since I don't spend that much time my tractor in temperature extreems (not hot enough in summer and not that much work to do in the winter) I have never felt the desire to have a cab. As a matter of fact, I like being out in free air, and I have actually thought about it and have a real desire not to have a cab.

Now a canopy is a different story, and before I found a way to shade my head/body I did not realize how great something over one's head can be on a relatively hot summer day.

Air conditioning steals power from the tractor. I am not sure if that would be a majoy consideration or not on a B3030.

Myselt, I would spend the money on a backhoe rather than a cab. I don't mind sweating and like to take a shower afterwards anyway. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'm probably guilty of not knowing how great a cab could be though.

Still...I really like being outside on my tractor, a lot more than I like being on the road on my closed up, air conditioned vehicles...

There is not a cab in my future...I'm sure of that. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

PS - If you can afford it, and you want it, and you will enjoy it, it is not a waste of money! Life is too short. If you want it, go for it. I would...

 

[_RaT_]

I'm with you Henro. Perhaps if I made my living in a tractor like some folks do, it would be different. Since I only put on 200 hours a year, not can I not only not justify it, but quite frankly the cab would have me doing things so much different. Always worrying I was going to hit a tree branch for starters. When the sun comes out and it's hot, I wear a big sombrero. I would prefer extra implements over a cab. Winters are a non issue for me, for folks that do their own snow plow work, I can see the advantage of a cab. I see a trend of cabs from Texas to Florida to Michigan and everywhere in between. I see very, very few compacts around here with cabs. Come to think of it, I have not seen one.