Tractor Cab built from PVC

[cdcole]

I finally got around to getting to this project. One weekend. Last thing is to put the metal roof over the plywood. I can't remember the gentleman's name - Scooby? Anyhow, he inspired me. Also, the freezing thighs, face full of snow and my ski goggles getting abused convinced me to do this. Thanks for the inspiration gents!

 

[Red Beast]

Nice work.

 

[Travelover]

I've considered something similar. Any idea at what temperature the PVC gets brittle? How did you end up attaching the plastic to the pipe? It appears that you started with Velcro and ended up just using tape?

All in all it looks like a good light duty cab.

 

[JETBEAR2004]

I sent you a PM, did you still have the oliver cab?

 

[sgarver]

How much did you spend $ and time on putting this together?
how do you keep the pipe from scratching the heck out of your finders?

 

[etcallhome]

Great I had thought about doing something like that but not up to yours good job !!!

I was wondering about cost !!!
I did use some 3/4 off my heater for the windshield defroster works fine !!

 

[Plow Jockey]

Nice job cd !!! I think I'll be looking at this a little more,maybe next year.
Where there's a will,there's a way!

 

[cdcole]

Here are the answers to the questions:
1) I put 1/2" thick weather stripping stuck to the PVC where ever it would touch the fenders or hood - thereby avoiding scratches. It will likely still leave a "buff" mark after a season of use.
2) Total cost: PVC $65 - (basically (7) 10 footers and all of the elbows, everything 1 and 1/2" pipe except the door which is 1"). Garage door opener - $15 on sale at Home Depot. Plexiglass or whatever the material - $20 off of Craigslist, Strobe off of ebay (used) $30 and pipe and flange mount was about $8. Screws - $3.50. Clear plastic - $~25 from Home Depot (enough to do it twice or maybe 3 times), switch and wire for strobe - just laying in the barn, plywood and 3/4" boards - laying in basement, Weather stripping for between plastic and PVC - 3 rolls $12, Velcro - $8 so......the grand total was about $175. The metal roof which I will put over the wood is laying under a foot of snow down by my pole barn (leftover from the barn construction). I would count on $200 and you should be safe.
3) The Oliver Cab is not mine - it was someone elses on Craigslist - I walked on that deal and am glad I did. This cab is light and has no effects on the machine that I can see (relative to center of mass, safety or other).
4) Yep, the velcro failed at 10 degrees F - the sticky back pealed off the PVC. Gorrilla tape survived at this temperature. Should use snaps - might still do that if the tape fails.
5) Note - I intentionally cut the plastic beyond the door frame to leave a flap for a halfway decent seal.
6) I used an old foam mattress for the pieces behind the pedals next to the hood. Two pieces about 8" by 15" by 6" thick. Blocks the wind but does not interfere with pedals
7) The PVC did not get brittle - I tried running over a piece at 10F in the drive and it collapsed a little but did not break.
8) You can bend the PVC without burning its surface - I was just in too much of a hurry and using my salamander style heater. Stay away from the fumes and have adequate ventilation. After bending to shape I took the pipe outside of the garage where it immediately hardened.

 

[cdcole]

Gents, I must say that I was surprised at the difference. Last time I blew snow I just had a t-shirt and wool sweater on. I wore some light cotton gloves and my uninsulated boots and blew snow for about 45 min. and felt comfortable at about 30F. The wind was gone - the snow in the face was gone. By the way - here is a picture of the door. Note that the clear plastic should not be cut at the hinge...just let it bend with the hinge. Also, I bent the pvc for the door such that it sticks when closed without a latch.

 

[SARG]

*Poor tractor*

 

[cdcole]

Somehow *poor tractor* implies that I ruined or broke the machine. The machine is fine. It lifts right off if I cut the tie straps. This is not about making the machine look pretty. It is about giving me some protection when blowing snow.

 

[relaqbr]

*Poor tractor*

Poor tractor my foot! You go! Prime that baby with something that makes the PVC sticky. Purple primer works great on a small rag - or acetone? -- and paint that baby blue!

 

[SARG]

Somehow *poor tractor* implies that I ruined or broke the machine. The machine is fine. It lifts right off if I cut the tie straps. This is not about making the machine look pretty. It is about giving me some protection when blowing snow.

No offense ...... Sorta reminded me of the story my Grandpa told me decades ago about the day he cut his dogs hair to get rid of burdocks ......... and the dog hid under the porch for a week cause of how he looked.

 

[cdcole]

No offense taken. Also, I like the idea of painting it and am experimenting with a piece of PVC that is painted with New Holland blue. The piece is in a HALT test (highly accelerated life test) right now laying on the wood pile in the back yard. If it survives well - then blue it will be. The acetone or purple primer was not used first so I should try another piece with that technique....good idea. Just don't want chips and scratches. I know you have seen plastic poorly painted before where your fingernail can scrap it off. That looks horrible. The white at least mathes the wheels and trim. Just need to paint the the burned parts white!

One last thing...I mentioned that I will add the steel top with rubber trim. When doing that I will paint the wood parts as well for a more finished look.

Must admit that the Gorilla tape works but somehow the duct tape thing does not work for me. Just don't know if snaps will hold in PVC. Maybe I get more 3/16" clear plexi and replace the film where ever I can. With oversize holes drilled through it, weather stripping and screws compressing everything to the PVC the 3/16" plexi is pretty stable.

Thanks for the positive comments guys.

 

[cdcole]

Here is a closeup of how I managed the strobe light. Keep in mind that this is a temporary mount. I have to pull it off again to add the metal roof so at that time I will use stainless screws and those type of nuts that bite into the plywood from the back - what do they call them?

The strobe somehow makes the cars slow down quicker. Like there is official business going on that might get them in trouble. Up high you can see it for a mile or more (I tested it) and it makes me more comfortable to have my son turn the tractor around in the road.

I can see it flickering on the barn about 1/8th mile away. Annoying? - maybe. Safer?- no doubt.

The flange and the pipe is in the same isle of Home Depot. It is not shown in the picture but I put a 1" to 3/4" bushing in the bottom (on the same shelves) to reduce it to 3/4" because the 1" stuff is more expensive and is way overkill for the light. I protected the metal with a coat of black Rustoleum.

 

[cdcole]

Here is how I built up the hinge. Very simple but keeps the door against the cab "frame".

 

[cdcole]

Door handle was kind fun.

 

[SARG]

If you choose to paint it I strongly suggest you look at the "Fusion" paint for plastics. Works great on PVC & on Vinyl.

I have a 12 x 12 tractor shed that I sided with siding that I had replaced on the house because it was fading.

Several years later it had faded even more in spots. Two summers ago I "painted" this siding with the Fusion paint.

Remarkable how good it looks and how well it is standing up to the sun. Just be sure to prep the plastic as instructed i.e. diluted ammonia wash.

 

[cdcole]

Thanks for the tip. Fusion Paint and proper prep..

 

[mmurphy]

cdcole, great idea on build. You got me thinking on a project this summer.