Buying Advice Trying to decide if a cab is worth the extra $$

[nybirdman]

I was considering the L4240 as well, but thought it might be too small. How much cutting do you do and what size cutter do you use? Trying to determine appropriate sized tractor and cutter to handle approximately 20 acres. Thinking I need a utility sized tractor, but not sure...

I have a L4240 HSTC,purchased new in Jan.08 and currently have 550 hours on it.Mine is used year round..eight ft.FEL mounted snow plow,bush-hog,roto-tiller,back blade,box blade.I also added a thumb to the bucket.Great all-around tractor,does it all with ease.Mine has R1 loaded tires.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The only drawback that I have found to a cab is less visibility when using the FEL. It does take some getting used to and dont try raising up in the seat when you first get the cab to get a closer look, been there and have the knots on the head to prove it. After a while it gets easier to judge but is alway better in an open station for judging distances. Other than that I would always prefer a cab over open station.
My question to the OP on deciding on cab or not is "Would you buy a car without an HVAC or without an enclosure to keep the rain off? IF the answer is yes, then go for an open station

 

[bigbull338]

cab vs no cab is totally up to you.we have a cab tractor an like was said it good to keep the bees off of you.i bought a new tractor almost 2yrs ago an its an open station.an i was asked why didnt you buy a cab tractor.well the truth is i dont like cab tractors.if something happens to the equipment you cant hear it.or lest ways i cant.

 

[StanR]

I went from a mx5100 to a M7040 cab. Best money I ever spent! I have 30 acres and it was getting to hot to work...

 

[crazyal]

My backhoe has a cab and I have come to hate it. I get tired of opening doors all the time as I get on and off very quickly. I find that I rarely use the AC simply because it cools you down but as soon as you need to do something outside the cab it feels 10 time hotter. But a tractor for haying, plowing, brush hogging, etc would be different. I didn't go with a cab on my 4240 simply because I use it in the woods and there's too many limbs that would take out the glass and mirrors in a heart beat. My take is a cab is something you want if you have issues with being out in the weather and/ or if you plan to use the tractor in a way that you'll be in the seat for long periods of time.

 

[94BULLITT]

According to the Kubota spec sheet a L4240 cab is 4" shorter than a ROPS tractor. You do have to watch the glass that stuff does not scrub it but the mirrors fold away for those tighter places. I have a pole saw if I need to trim something to get were I need to go I will.

 

[catskinner]

One thing about a cab, you can listen to a radio easier, makes the time pass by.

 

[Mrfarmertrees]

I have had both cab and open station tractors. If you do a lot in the wooded area a cab isn't the best idea. If most of your work is in the open area then cabs are great. I'm restoring a MF 40 and plan on using it for my garden. Everything else I use the cab. I've had a similar experience as Mr. Cat_Driver so I'm also partial to cabs for that reason too, not to mention not being in 100 plus degrees in the Texas heat. Some of the tractors I've owned are hard to get off and on, cab or open station. At my age getting on or off anything can be hard

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I dont know how anyone can say that it is harder to get on a tractor with a cab. The tractors are the same height regardless of cab or open station and most cab doors have a hand hold to help get you up the steps. My brother in law had knee replacement and he has trouble climbing up on my P7010 LS tractor but the deck is about armpit high compared to his little T 2030 NHwhich is somewhere between knee and waist high. Both have cabs and both have no restrictions to entering other than the NH which only has steps on the left side whereas the LS has steps on both sides but I usually go out the left anyway due to all the FEL controls on the right.
It is just so nice to be able to turn on the AC or the heat and work in comfort regardless of the temps or rain, sleet or snow, you will be dry and comfortable. Tree work is simple, trim the limbs so they are above your cab which you should do anyway if you have a ROPS. You dont want that hanging on a limb either so it is just a matter of care to make sure you have clearance or cut the limbs so you do.

 

[94BULLITT]

I dont know how anyone can say that it is harder to get on a tractor with a cab. The tractors are the same height regardless of cab or open station and most cab doors have a hand hold to help get you up the steps. My brother in law had knee replacement and he has trouble climbing up on my P7010 LS tractor but the deck is about armpit high compared to his little T 2030 NHwhich is somewhere between knee and waist high. Both have cabs and both have no restrictions to entering other than the NH which only has steps on the left side whereas the LS has steps on both sides but I usually go out the left anyway due to all the FEL controls on the right.
It is just so nice to be able to turn on the AC or the heat and work in comfort regardless of the temps or rain, sleet or snow, you will be dry and comfortable. Tree work is simple, trim the limbs so they are above your cab which you should do anyway if you have a ROPS. You dont want that hanging on a limb either so it is just a matter of care to make sure you have clearance or cut the limbs so you do.

I'll second that. If you are going to spend that kind of money on a tractor you should buy pole saw. You can get a cheap gas one for $200-225.