After Market Cabs for a TC55DA

jimmysisson · Dec 26, 2007

Not to argue about the one you returned, but the soft-side Curtis on my 1993 NH is built like a tank. It's strong, easy to attach to the tractor, and the paint matches perfectly. Soft sides are ok, I don't expect too much from them. Maybe 14 years later they've cheapened the things.
Jim

mjncad · Dec 27, 2007

14-years is a long time to mess things up, and maybe Curtis did in that period of time. I didn't expect a Lexus luxury cab; but I wasn't impressed with the product either. Glad you have good luck with yours.

Robert_in_NY · Dec 27, 2007

jimmysisson said:
Not to argue about the one you returned, but the soft-side Curtis on my 1993 NH is built like a tank. It's strong, easy to attach to the tractor, and the paint matches perfectly. Soft sides are ok, I don't expect too much from them. Maybe 14 years later they've cheapened the things.
Jim

Jimmy, is your cab like the one I have pictured, it isn't the best picture but it is the only one I can find right now of the Curtis cab on a Ford 1920? If so it is an ok option for keeping the rain off your head. I am not impressed with the soft sides and do not even use them as they are more of a pain to use then they are worth. I found them inconvienent in all aspects, if it was raining the rain landing on the sides would make it hard to see out of the vinyl. If snowing the snow would build up on the vinyl windows. I found that fighting with the sides just to keep a little wind out was not worth it. It was much easier for me to just put the long johns on as well as the coveralls and go to work without the hassels of the soft sides.

Oveall I do not think the Curtis cab I have is worth what Curtis charges for it. I basically keep it on there for the canopy but during the summer that front window sure does cut down the air flow making it warm in there. If I want a cab on a tractor I will buy one from the factory and as much as I like Ford/NH equipment, if they do not have one available on the class tractor I want then I will go to another brand that does.

As for the OP I would at least talk to the dealer about trading in on a new model before you pull the trigger on an aftermarket cab. You might be surprised and the factory cabs are going to be much better then an aftermarket cab because they were designed for that tractor during the build process, not after the fact. Just look at the TC45 with cab and then go look at a tractor with an aftermarket cab and you will see a huge difference in comfort, noise level and ease of use. Plus the factory cab looks like it belongs while most of these aftermarket cabs look like afterthought cabs and the cabs that do look like the belong from the outside and the premium cabs cost as much if not more then a factory cab

jimmysisson · Dec 27, 2007

Yep, like the 1920's hardtop. Not to stray too far from the OP's post, but I agree about the side curtains. I keep the rear one and the right hand one on as I plow where there's a good little north wind many days. No left curtain means easy in and out, and I can stick my head out if I really can't see well. My main objection to the windshield is reflections when I'm trying to see inside the barn with the open door behind me. New curved ones probably are much better.
This is not a real cab, but I really like the protection from small limbs, ice, rain, etc. It keeps the tractor dash and controls dry, so stuff works longer. I can't imagine taking it off. It's my first "roof" and I'm a convert.
Jim