Do you like having a canopy or FOPS? Any regrets?

[SmallChange]

I'm thinking of getting one. Main goal is staying dry while moving snow around during the storm. But I also have a very bad neck and want multiple mirrors, and I imagine a FOPS would give a nice variety of good mounting points.

There is a FOPS available from my tractor maker (NH) that is supposedly designed for this tractor. I don't think they offer a canopy as a different item. A FOPS ought to be more rigid and make a better mounting area for mirrors, I would expect. I saw a pretty similar NH tractor with the FOPS on it and it looked nice and solid and large, lotta workspace under it.

Some people say they make the engine noise louder. Any thoughts on that?

Obviously when mounting the tractor, the operator would have to duck under it somewhat.

Any other issues to take into account while deciding?

Thanks!!

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Full cab with heat and A/C, all the way. As soon as you said "staying dry while moving snow during a storm..." That's the way to go.

You're welcome.

 

[dieselcrawler]

I built a full roll cage with limb risers that connect at the front grill guard. No regrets, gotten used to it, not knocked my head on it in years. Nice having a roof over my head.

 

[4570Man]

My backhoe has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

 

[chim]

When I finally had enough of the wet and cold I built a cab with a heater. Just how warm and dry can a canopy keep you?

 

[SmallChange]

My bathroom has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

OK, I'm working on picturing this, but I think I'm gonna need some hints or something....

 

[4570Man]

OK, I'm working on picturing this, but I think I'm gonna need some hints or something....

Meant to say backhoe. Was in a hurry and hit send before I proof read.

 

[MossRoad]

My backhoe has a FOPS. The downside is at 9.5 feet tall it’s limiting in what doors it fits through. The 2 huge upsides is it’s a nice sunshade and I don’t get killed by falling limbs.

Hey, spellcheck works great! It's the auto text that makes me laugh!!! :laughing:

I think you meant backhoe? Or you have the coolest man-cave in town! :laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

I have a steel canopy on my ROPs. I really like it. But if you think it's gonna keep snow off of you in winter, well, just your head and maybe your shoulders and chest, but my experience has been wet legs. The snow comes in as you drive and lands on you legs. Same amount as if you had no canopy. Same thing with rain. It's great for sun protection, and keeps branches from falling on my head in the woods. It came standard on my machine. And it's tough. I can and have stood on it many times.

 

[4570Man]

I have a steel canopy on my ROPs. I really like it. But if you think it's gonna keep snow off of you in winter, well, just your head and maybe your shoulders and chest, but my experience has been wet legs. The snow comes in as you drive and lands on you legs. Same amount as if you had no canopy. Same thing with rain. It's great for sun protection, and keeps branches from falling on my head in the woods. It came standard on my machine. And it's tough. I can and have stood on it many times.

I’ve got a diamond plate aluminum sunshade on my mower. It’s excellent for pushing limbs out of the way and for sun protection. It helps quite a bit in the rain but my legs still get wet. As for snow I’ve never tested that but any canopy would obviously be useless maybe even a step backwards for cold. I’d want at least a soft cab. It wouldn’t be hard to add a heater either.

 

[Jstpssng]

I have a canopy. When I'm in the field on a sunny day I really appreciate it. When I'm going into the woods it's a PITA, as I need to be careful not to catch it on a limb. It's too heavy/bulky to remove at will but if I ever get my shelter built I will be able to strap it to the ceiling and unbolt it.
As Moss stated, while it is helpful in precipitation I still get wet. I wouldn't want a full cab though as it would get destroyed when I go into the woods.

It is noisy when I hit a bump and I do think that it holds the transmission noise in, making it louder; but ever since I put the SUDT in at my last service the whine is a lot less obnoxious.

 

[SmallChange]

What I'm hearing doesn't sound bad. If it kept snow off my head and torso that would be a big improvement.

As far as soft cabs and heat go, that makes me wonder a couple of things:

1) Would I be able to add a soft cab to the FOPS? I can imagine making one myself, basically a tarp that creates a skirt around the pedals and floor boards. I'm guessing that if it's not an actual blizzard, something that was just low and open enough not to get in the way of steering and levers would still block most of what was falling around the FOPS, and I wouldn't even need windows. Something maybe belly high on me.

2) How does one go about adding heat? Do you need to tap into a radiator hose, and add an electric fan? Sounds like hundreds more in cost...?

 

[newbury]

What I'm hearing doesn't sound bad. If it kept snow off my head and torso that would be a big improvement.

As far as soft cabs and heat go, that makes me wonder a couple of things:

1) Would I be able to add a soft cab to the FOPS? I can imagine making one myself, basically a tarp that creates a skirt around the pedals and floor boards. I'm guessing that if it's not an actual blizzard, something that was just low and open enough not to get in the way of steering and levers would still block most of what was falling around the FOPS, and I wouldn't even need windows. Something maybe belly high on me.

2) How does one go about adding heat? Do you need to tap into a radiator hose, and add an electric fan? Sounds like hundreds more in cost...?

This is one of those cases where the posters location would add more info.

I had a steel canopy. Took it off because it got in the way in the trees.





Could not imagine dealing with a full cab in the woods in Mississippi. Also cannot imagine dealing with a blizzard here. We did get a record snowfall in 2015, 7 inches plus and it took over 2 days to all melt.

But having lived for 25 years in Northern Vermont a heated cab there would be the difference between using a tractor in the winter or just storing it.

 

[chim]

Some owners have bought a golf cart kit to use with a canopy. Heaters that run on the engine coolant provide plenty of heat. Mine produces 20,000 BTU's. A 12 volt electric heater would need about 480 amps to make the same amount of heat.

 

[Carl_NH]

The golf cart kit is what I did for my B21 FOPS - it fits well and keeps out the snow. I put a small tarp on top of the roof to prevent the sharp edges on the corners from damaging the cover.

That, said I used it one season and decided to just put on my Carhartt insulated coveralls and deal with the snow that does come in last year.

 

[coobie]

Had a steel canopy on my first Kioti tractor.Great addition IMHO.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have a steel one on my mower. When I got the thing, I took it down and straightened the steel edge. I just notice it's all funky again from hitting trees. I never even noticed doing it, unless it wasn't me. I plan to mark all leaning trees in a reminder to look up.

 

[k0ua]

I have a nice steel canopy on my Kioti. I really like it. It keeps the sun off my head/shoulders, It keeps drizzle off of my head and shoulders, of course blowing rain, not so much, but if it is really raining, its time to put the tractor in the barn. It also pushes small/medium limbs out of the way, but if they are large, time to get out the saw. It has a celotex pad under it to limit the sound reflection, and also adds a bit of insulation to keep the heat beating down off of the top from radiating down to your noggin. All in all, yes I really like it.

 

[MossRoad]

What I'm hearing doesn't sound bad. If it kept snow off my head and torso that would be a big improvement.

As far as soft cabs and heat go, that makes me wonder a couple of things:

1) Would I be able to add a soft cab to the FOPS? I can imagine making one myself, basically a tarp that creates a skirt around the pedals and floor boards. I'm guessing that if it's not an actual blizzard, something that was just low and open enough not to get in the way of steering and levers would still block most of what was falling around the FOPS, and I wouldn't even need windows. Something maybe belly high on me.

2) How does one go about adding heat? Do you need to tap into a radiator hose, and add an electric fan? Sounds like hundreds more in cost...?

It would be very easy to add a golf cart soft cab, as others have mentioned. That would keep the precipitation off of you nicely. Maybe add a small electric fan up in the corner to blow some air if the windows fog up, but try it first. As for heat, I don't get cold easily, so I'd never do it. I did have a heater in my cab on my old IH2500b. It was ridiculous! Too hot. I'd have to take my coat off and sit there in a t-shirt. :laughing:

Here's a heater at surplus center for under $200. Figure in cost for some heater hose and fittings, too.
12,5 BTU 12 Volt DC Maradyne 5-12V Cab Heater | Maradyne | Brands | www.surpluscenter.com

 

[Industrial Toys]

I love being in the outdoors. The Canopy solves the problem of wearing "Work Tunes" as you can't wear a hat. In fact, I don't like wearing a hat anyway.