Has anyone built a TEMPORARY sunshade-canopy?

[sixdogs]

I don't want a canopy on my MX5100 or L4300 because I use it to seed up close to buildings and under trees where it would not work. But, I sometimes have to seed out in the open during the day and I don't want the sun on me. So I need something that blocks the sun yet can go up or come down at a moment's notice.

It has to be a compromise. It will be a little shaky and maybe look a little funny but it will only be on occasionally and for only a few days a year. There aren't a lot of commercial options that don't involve bracketry that must be bolted on and unbolted later and I don't want that.

I've thought about a thin metal bracket held on to the ROPS with click pins and covered with simple fabric. I've even thought about a --don't laugh--golf umbrella with a simple zip-tie strap on arrangement. Remember, it's only going to be up for occasional use in the blistering sun to save my bacon from skin cancer. It doesn't need to be very sturdy because the ground will be smooth. At the moment the golf umbrella is my leading option if I can figure out the installation.

Has anyone made anything like this that is super light, super simple and reasonably effective or have any good ideas? Remember, it's a compromise and not going to be on the cover of a magazine. I know there's a commercial umbrella thing out there but it's expensive, has brackets that are awkward on my tractor and is not rated well by users. Any advice appreciated. :dog:

 

[k0ua]

I was going to say the umbrella and tye-wraps, but you already suggested that yourself!

 

[dusty3030]

Here you go!
Quiksilver Men's Pierside Straw Lifeguard Hat, Natural, One Size at Amazon Men’s Clothing store

 

[Depmandog]

Back in the day, umbrellas were the norm on ag tractors. In fact my Farmall 706 still has the umbrella bracket attached, and I can still buy a IH umbrella for it.

Sounds like a perfect option.

 

[davrow]

Temporary? I'm thinking make a rectangular frame ( PVC or light wood) and cover with fabric. Simply place over ROPS and use something ( rope or straps) to tie down the front and back. No worries on the sides if the fabric is just slightly loose and the frame just slightly wider than the ROPS.

 

[kevinwak]

I used a beach umbrella on my 2520 last summer. It was one with the two piece shaft. I u bolted the lower part of the shaft to one arm of the ROPS. I then just slipped the top half in and out when I needed it. Only downfall was it was on one side of the ROPS so I would be in the shade in one direction and then in the sun headed back.

 

[Eldubya]

It wouldn't be as economical as a beach umbrella, but how about a bimini top from a boat? Simply strap it onto the ROPS and it can be folded up when not in use. Open it up, perhaps a couple of straps to attach it to the front of the machine, and....Voila!

 

[chim]

This year I plan to keep the cab on (and doors off) all summer. I bought a 2-speed "school bus driver" fan - that didn't get mounted last weekend - to blow some air. Figured it might work. We had a fairly warm Saturday recently and the cab kept the black seat from getting hot. That was always a problem because I habitually forgot to flip it forward when hopping off the tractor.

In recent years I'd wear a wide brimmed hat and loose long sleeve white shirt. It was cooler with the hat and shirt on the open tractor. I had two skin cancers removed, so I'm more careful than I was years ago.

 

[Dishpointer]

I have a folding canopy on my older 1050 John Deere. It folds all the way down and out of the way when I'm around the trees but also folds up easily when I have to brush hog the fields. It's similar to this: Tractor Canopy - 48" Folding Buggy-Top - GEMPLER'S

 

[TerryR]

That problem was solved at least 60 years ago with umbrellas made for the purpose. We used them all the time in the north valley in California where I grew up. I see they are still made. Google "tractor umbrella" and you will see several sources, including this one at Gemplers

Terry

 

[sixdogs]

This is not as easy as it sounds. The umbrellas that clamp to the axle won't work because the tractors I have are too small and don't have sufficient clearance to mount brackets. Plus I'm not going to drill into my fenders. Further, the ROPS is in the way. The same is mostly true for the single pedestal umbrella with the addition most of the consumer reviews are negative.

I already have a big hat and after reading some replies am thinking an umbrella of some sort is the answer if I can figure out how to attach it. As noted, I could attach one umbrella to the ROPS side bar but it only covers half of me. Maybe I could put up two umbrellas meaning one on each side of the ROPS. Probably not great looking but I don't know how to hook just one umbrella to the center of the ROPS. that would work.

Thanks so far. Any pictures out there?

 

[dusty3030]

Look for an umbrella used for a deer stand, seriously. They are intended as a temporary roof for a ladder stand. I have a couple, I haven't tried it but they come with brackets that you could just zip tie or large hose clamps to your ROPS.

 

[bcp]

Some ROPS mounted ones, for some ideas:

Tractor Umbrella - GEMPLER'S

http://www.ruralking.com/femco-inc-tractor-umbrella-rops-mount-yellow-405969.html

Universal Tractor Umbrella 54" Yellow ROPS Mount Canopy Canvas Frame Bracket Bar | eBay

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...906-sunshade-not-post2402320.html#post2402320

Bruce

 

[MarshSt]

You could try using the rain fly from a small tent that has the small shock-corded fiberglass poles or one of the quick pop-up style sun shades they sell at Walgreens type places during the summer. Beach Cabanas, Tents and Sun Shades.

Steve

 

[terryknight]

we added an umbrella to the kubota we use to bush hog. it's a piece of pvc that is clamped to the rear center of the tractor (where the slow implement sign used to be). when you need shade insert large umbrella remove hen done. this is the best picture of it, but you can see teh piece of pvc on in the center rear of the tractor

 

[TerryR]

...most of the consumer reviews are negative.

Yes I saw that on several models. But I don't give much credence to someone who complains that an umbrella didn't stand up to a 35 mph wind. Really?

I have no experience with any of these current models, so maybe they really are junk. On the other hand, an umbrella is just an umbrella, not a rigid structure, so you have to have realistic expectations.

Terry

 

[sixdogs]

I used a beach umbrella on my 2520 last summer. It was one with the two piece shaft. I u bolted the lower part of the shaft to one arm of the ROPS. I then just slipped the top half in and out when I needed it. Only downfall was it was on one side of the ROPS so I would be in the shade in one direction and then in the sun headed back.

we added an umbrella to the kubota we use to bush hog. it's a piece of pvc that is clamped to the rear center of the tractor (where the slow implement sign used to be). when you need shade insert large umbrella remove hen done. this is the best picture of it, but you can see teh piece of pvc on in the center rear of the tractor

OK, thank you to everyone. I researched everything mentioned and here's what I'm going to do. If I can mount the PVC socket as shown in the photo above and also a large enough umbrella that shades me, I'm going to do that. It's a good plan that will take me 10 seconds to put up or take down.

Second choice--plan B--is to zip tie an umbrella to each side of the ROPS. Two umbrellas. This would work very well, I think, and provide adequate shade that can go up or down pretty quick.

Everyone should consider either a formal canopy if you can use it or certainly something temporary like we have talked about here. Considering the exposure to the sun that this sport and business involves, many of us are at risk of melanoma skin cancer. It's so deadly that a spot about the size of the head of a pin can have only an 80% survival rate and involve surgery that can take out two pounds of flesh. And that's if you're lucky.

Thanks again for the good posts and good advice. All of the ideas worked but these two work the best for me. :dog:

 

[Depmandog]

I thought I had posted this link in this thread, but it was another similar thread that I shared this link.

Haven't bought one (yet), but I am interested. Looks like this will work, and you can color coordinate

Tractor Umbrella

 

[mangus580]

You might try this one - RhinoHide Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC

 

[sixdogs]

You might try this one - RhinoHide Tractor canopies by Sun Guard LLC

Thanks--those are nice but I'm in the process of worked on the golf umbrella (s) in the PVC sockets. Needs to be quick and dirty for temporary field work and then removed quickly for the other 99% of the time. This may take a few weeks but I'll post pics when done.