Tractor canopies
- Thread starter bernie
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JRP
Platinum Member
I looked for canopies at the local tractor dealers. One was made of 0.060" thick aluminum and was all bent up along the front. It was a customers tractor. $325 for a new one. Another tractor had one that was .090" thick aluminum that had a few bends. New cost is $425. Bends bug me. I wanted thick, so I built this one.
I checked at the local fab shop and bought a 4 x 8 sheet of 0.125" thick mirror finish diamond plate aluminum for $170 and also some angle. They cut the sheet to 60" long with a plasma torch no charge. The sheet metal shop broke 1.5" lips on the edge for $10 cash. Got 4'x8' "asphalt sheathing" at the lumber yard for $6 for thermal and noise insulation. Got a 4x6 flood light $16 at TSC. Black + white rustoleum = Kubota gray.
On the two short lengths of angle frame I cut three notches with a chop saw, bent the angle, then welded the cuts. This added a crown bow to add stiffness and keep rain from standing.
I think this turned out better than the factory canopies, at half the cost. The larger twigs I have run into have not damaged it. No branches yet, however.
Hope this helps someone.
I checked at the local fab shop and bought a 4 x 8 sheet of 0.125" thick mirror finish diamond plate aluminum for $170 and also some angle. They cut the sheet to 60" long with a plasma torch no charge. The sheet metal shop broke 1.5" lips on the edge for $10 cash. Got 4'x8' "asphalt sheathing" at the lumber yard for $6 for thermal and noise insulation. Got a 4x6 flood light $16 at TSC. Black + white rustoleum = Kubota gray.
On the two short lengths of angle frame I cut three notches with a chop saw, bent the angle, then welded the cuts. This added a crown bow to add stiffness and keep rain from standing.
I think this turned out better than the factory canopies, at half the cost. The larger twigs I have run into have not damaged it. No branches yet, however.
Hope this helps someone.
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JRP
Platinum Member
Harv
Elite Member
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jrpoux -
Excellent work! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
You're a man after my own heart. Although I don't feel the need for a canopy myself at this point, I would certainly consider the do-it-yourself approach, as you have done. Very nice fab, and you have the extra satisfaction of a job well done.
The only problem I see with using aluminum, however, is that now you can't stick your Chalkley Cup to the ceiling. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Excellent work! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
You're a man after my own heart. Although I don't feel the need for a canopy myself at this point, I would certainly consider the do-it-yourself approach, as you have done. Very nice fab, and you have the extra satisfaction of a job well done.
The only problem I see with using aluminum, however, is that now you can't stick your Chalkley Cup to the ceiling. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
Bird
Rest in Peace
Very nice, Jim! Of course, you didn't mention the cost of the flat stock, U-bolts, and nuts for the mounting, but that's still a considerable cost savings if you can do it yourself.
Bird
Bird
JohnS
Platinum Member
Very heavy duty and professional work! I like it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
As far as the tractor with the bent-up canopy front, I bet they did the same thing I did, forget to put the ROPS down before driving in garage! In fact, I did it twice! My cheap plastic chinese shade, and the house vynel siding recovered fine, though.
JohnS
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by JohnS on 09/10/01 08:17 AM (server time).</FONT></P>
As far as the tractor with the bent-up canopy front, I bet they did the same thing I did, forget to put the ROPS down before driving in garage! In fact, I did it twice! My cheap plastic chinese shade, and the house vynel siding recovered fine, though.
JohnS
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by JohnS on 09/10/01 08:17 AM (server time).</FONT></P>
MDNY
Platinum Member
Very nice work indeed Jim. Will you do custom work for others. It could be a great side business. /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif
cowboydoc
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Did any of you guys that ordered canopies ever get them or hear anything about them?
Richard
Richard
scruffy
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cbdoc, been wondering the same thing. Wonder if anyone has come up with any info on 'Bernie'. Hope someone presses fraud charges if possible.
DadDina
New member
Hi ya'll,
I was one that ordered, and never received the canopy. I had paid him thu Paypal and as a result, it was charged to my credit card. Mastercharge imformed me that they would charge back against Paypal/Bernie. It remains to be seen if it will stick... ???
By the way, I was glad that I had charged the Paypal thu my credit card as opposed to my checking account. Paypal would rather charge against your personal account instead of your credit card account(They can sell the dealer on " No chargebacks") that way...
I also would like to hear any results of dealing with "Bernie". Keep in mind that most folks don't want you to know that they have been "taken"... Just a fact of life...
I did have a few people tell me that they did cancel orders with Bernie as a result of his actions that were reported in this forum.
Best regards,
Bill Giardina
I was one that ordered, and never received the canopy. I had paid him thu Paypal and as a result, it was charged to my credit card. Mastercharge imformed me that they would charge back against Paypal/Bernie. It remains to be seen if it will stick... ???
By the way, I was glad that I had charged the Paypal thu my credit card as opposed to my checking account. Paypal would rather charge against your personal account instead of your credit card account(They can sell the dealer on " No chargebacks") that way...
I also would like to hear any results of dealing with "Bernie". Keep in mind that most folks don't want you to know that they have been "taken"... Just a fact of life...
I did have a few people tell me that they did cancel orders with Bernie as a result of his actions that were reported in this forum.
Best regards,
Bill Giardina
savedbyzero
Member
So what happened with Bernie...??
MRCONCDID
Silver Member
here is the link and the build up on my canopy, if you can weld and bend tube then this is a very strong and light weight solution to the high cost of a canopy.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/155762-cheap-canopy-real-cheap-8-a.html
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/build-yourself/155762-cheap-canopy-real-cheap-8-a.html
dianecoker
New member
Can you tell me where I can get one of the CrocTop? Please
dianecoker
New member
kneedeep
Veteran Member
This thread is 12 years old!! :confused3:
rhinowrangler
Advertiser
As a new advertiser member I just wanted to introduce our new Universal canopy "RhinoHide" the functionally perfect
way to protect you & your machine. Be glad to discuss it with anyone interested. RhinoHide Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC
way to protect you & your machine. Be glad to discuss it with anyone interested. RhinoHide Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC
davrow
Veteran Member
Not bad looking... but it needs to fold (or remove really easily) so when I put the ROPS down to fit in the garage it doesn't become what sticks up too high.
And, while we're at it, you mention it can be mounted fore or aft of the ROPS, but what it needs is to be able to fold over so I can just flip it over to use the backhoe (on my machine there is a separate seat for the backhoe that is behind the ROPS). Alternative, as above, would be to lift it out of mounting brackets (no screws or pins) and place it facing backward).
Thanks for joining us and posting. :thumbsup:
rhinowrangler
Advertiser
Welcome!
You maybe interested in a great canopy for your tractor. Available at Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC
You maybe interested in a great canopy for your tractor. Available at Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC
racemktng
New member
Where did you find your CrocTop. My bull busted my windshield last week and I am having trouble finding a replacement for my Trail Gator
