Why have a cab?

[patrick_g]

Here's one reason why.

You blow snow... I mow it.

I have this to say about that... If you have ever spent hours on end in a cold rain, cold wind, or heat and humidity because the job HAD TO BE DONE, you can appeciate a cab with heat and air. I have the foul weather gear from when I lived on and cruised a sailboat with an open cockpit. I can get fairly comfortable in the extant conditions of Minot, ND at temps below fourty below zero. I have parkas and all. I have good rain gear and can do what I have to do in whatever weather but to choose the "man against the elements" approach out of some false sense of MACHO when my tractor was offered with heated and air conditioned cab would have been not so clever.

Also when spraying chemicals (mostly herbicides) I try to be careful but you can't keep little vagaries of wind from hapening and the first thing you know without a cab is you are in the chemical plume covered in spray. One of the reason ag workers have poor health stats is exposure to chemicals.

Then there is dust. It is hard to do much without making some dust. Breathing it is not good. Will you always wear a respirator? Not bloody likely! My cab has a fresh/recirc lever on the air. There are two filters that help keep out the dust. Not perfect but way better than being in the ambient air.

I can say this about my Kubota's heater. You have to modulate it carefully. Even at zero F if yoiu turn it up past 1/2 way it will bake you, even in a "T" shirt only. Terrific heater, must have been designed for the arctic or something. I guess northern Japan gets cold.

Pat

 

[OrangeGuy]

Why a cab?

Minus 13 below (minus 33 below windchill) here outside of Minneapolis, MN with the driveway drifting in.

OrangeGuy

 

[lawn_king]

It seems there is generally one incident that drives us old tractor guys to the cab. For me it was a cold, raw, late fall rainstorm. I was smack dab in the middle of a multi acre youth soccer complex, core aerating. I lost my cell phone, headphones and lots of stuff in my wallet. Ordered a curtis cab for my machine the next morning!

 

[lawn_king]

I "inject" myself with Jack Daniels!!!!

It would be WAY more fun to inject JD. That eppi- pen injection causes an hour case of the shakes, you have to see to believe!

 

[Oleozz]

When I bought my cab tractor I didn't think much about the spraying aspect, but as Patrick mentions the chemicals can be nasty. I searched for months trying to find a used 3 pt hitch sprayer that had electrical controls to mount in the cab. I finally have one that I can control all the sprayer booms electrically without leaving the cab and also without inhaling the spray.
The bee problem was also an issue with me, in a typical year I normally blow apart five or six big hornet nests while brush hogging.

 

[JayDavis]

Why a cab?

Minus 13 below (minus 33 below windchill) here outside of Minneapolis, MN with the driveway drifting in.

OrangeGuy

What is bad is driving a cab tractor plowing or moving hay in the summer with it 110F in the shade....and the tractor's AC is broke. It is too dusty to work with the windows and doors open.... but with the doors closed it is an easy 130F inside. Spend 6 hours doing that and you will sweat about 5lbs of weight off.

...Then again, spending 10hrs brush hogging with a 200hp tractor in a big ac cooled cab listening to the satellite radio on the stereo, cutting up everything you can run over isn't work. It is a vacation.

 

[IslandTractor]

Most of the cab units seem to preclude use of a backhoe. Are there any exceptions in the <40hp range?

 

[patrick_g]

...Then again, spending 10hrs brush hogging with a 200hp tractor in a big ac cooled cab listening to the satellite radio on the stereo, cutting up everything you can run over isn't work. It is a vacation.

When I have a choice of outdoor tasks to attack and it is hot and humid, I opt for the ones I can do from inside my tractor cab. Definitely not in the 200 HP category as I have only 40 HP but the A/C makes it as close to a vacation as oiutdoor work in the heat and humidity can get. My tractor came with a slot for an "entertainment system", i.e. radio. It had stereo speakers preinstalled and a power connector awaiting the radio of choice. When really working a tractor I tend to wear muffs. When/if I get around to putting in a radio it will have to drive headphones like used in GENAV.

Pat

 

[patrick_g]

Most of the cab units seem to preclude use of a backhoe. Are there any exceptions in the <40hp range?

I too am in the cab-backhoe, pick one category with my 40 HP Kubota. I chose the cab to appease my wife. I wanted the backhoe. Best argument I ever lost. I love the cab. I was recently told that Kubota has 3PH hoes that can be used on my tractor. I have not seen them or know anything about them but suspect they would be less capable than a good chassis mount. Still, for my uses, a less capable unit would probably do all I need and be easy to remove and replace wlth my other implements. I need to research that.

Pat

 

[GreenMtns]

Most of the cab units seem to preclude use of a backhoe. Are there any exceptions in the <40hp range?

It's true John Deere does not offer a backhoe on the 3520 Cab model I own, or I would think, on any 3X20 cab unit.

However Woods does make a backhoe that mounts on it and has it's own kit to supply hydraulics though the line to the loader.

I guess if anyone takes a little time and looks around you can put a backhoe on a cab tractor.

AL

 

[patrick_g]

I guess if anyone takes a little time and looks around you can put a backhoe on a cab tractor.

AL

Some folks are discouraged when the dealer tells them the warranty on their nice new expensive toy will be invalidated if they mount an unauthorized backhoe.

Pat

 

[LBrown59]

OK I think ken pretty well covers that subject. Next

He only gave 2 reasons~I'd like to hear his other 10 reason to make it an even dozen.

 

[GreenMtns]

Some folks are discouraged when the dealer tells them the warranty on their nice new expensive toy will be invalidated if they mount an unauthorized backhoe.

Pat

That's understandable and would certainly concern me too. However I have never read or heard about a manufacturer invalidating a warranty because a Woods attachment or implement was mounted on their tractor. If it has happened, I would like to know, as I have some Woods equipment.

Al

 

[IslandTractor]

I have never read or heard about a manufacturer invalidating a warranty because a Woods attachment or implement was mounted on their tractor.

I think the issue is not the brand of backhoe but rather the 3PT mount variety. Most manufacturers discourage using 3PT mounted backhoes (as compared to subframe mounted) due to the added stress on the tractor.

 

[GreenMtns]

I think the issue is not the brand of backhoe but rather the 3PT mount variety. Most manufacturers discourage using 3PT mounted backhoes (as compared to sub-frame mounted) due to the added stress on the tractor.

I agree with that. I would not mount a 3PT backhoe on any tractor regardless of who made it. The stresses are just to high.

The Woods backhoe I was referring to is the new X80 model which has the new sub-frame 4PT quick mount. This sub-frame bolts to the undercarriage as well as the rear axle.

Al

 

[IslandTractor]

The Woods backhoe I was referring to is the new X80 model which has the new sub-frame 4PT quick mount.

Do you know that this set up works with a cab? I am confused as to why Kubota for example states that a BH cannot be used with the B3030 cab model. Is it a clearance or safety issue for the operator? I cannot visualize how a cab could interfer with attachment.

 

[GreenMtns]

Do you know that this set up works with a cab? I am confused as to why Kubota for example states that a BH cannot be used with the B3030 cab model. Is it a clearance or safety issue for the operator? I cannot visualize how a cab could interfer with attachment.

John Deere also states that "they don't have a model to fit the cabs at this time". I e-mailed Woods and asked if they had a backhoe mount for this tractor and they said they do. They also e-mailed me a copy of the manual.

That said, I have not purchased or installed it yet so I am only repeating what I have been told.

I am attaching a copy of the cover page of the manual and you can clearly see it states cab 3X20

 

[IslandTractor]

I'd trust Woods not to make a false claim so their BH must work at least with the JD cabs.

In looking at the Kubota BH, I don't see any particular reason why it would not work with the B3030 cab version for example. I wonder if there is some OSHA rule or concern about the ROPS that makes Kubota so conservative.

 

[patrick_g]

However I have never read or heard about a manufacturer invalidating a warranty because a Woods attachment or implement was mounted on their tractor.

Al

If I recall the conversation accurately the dealer did not tell me the warranty was invalidated by mounting a third party hoe but if the tractor broke with a third third party hoe installed you were not covered. He also mentioned the numerous broken tractors he had seen due to insufficient strength in the mounting. In my case with the cab I can't mount any Kubota hoe except a 3PH. I have not personally confirmed the availability of a Kubota 3PH hoe for my tractor but have no reason to doubt the gentleman who provided the information in this forum.

Pat