Another homemade tractor canopy

[jwmorris]

I did this one a little bit different than others and it’s the easiest one I have to put on that can withstand a little running into branches.

I started with a hunk of 1x3 box tube and made some 1/2-13 threaded inserts that I welded into it, then drilled out a 1/2” bolt to use as a drill bushing so the holes in the ROP were perfectly aligned.

Then came back and opened it up with a hole saw.

So I could weld in some 1” bar stock with a 1/2” hole in it into the ROP so the tube couldn’t be crushed no matter how tight I get the bolts.

And welded them in place.

Flush on the top side.

I put two 1”x1/8” tabs on it so it just slides in place and holds itself while I align the holes.

 

[jwmorris]

I then attached the top to the frame with pan head rivets.

I had an LED light I took off of something that I decided to used, I tied into one of the tail light wires for power and added another switch so I didn’t have to have it on if I didn’t need it.

 

[Alan W.]

Good job. You may want to glue some sound deadening foam to the underside. I was hoping to have made one for my tractor this year but my time has and us being allocated elsewhere.
Oh and you probably already know the safety police are gonna flame you for modifying your bar.

 

[CADplans]

I forget where I saw it, but one guy put an ENTIRE pickup camper cover up as the LCUT canopy,,
It even had the round portal windows towards the rear.

Those camper covers sell so cheap sometimes, it looks like a good piece to cut a canopy out of,,

Most are "fiberglass", so they could be cut with a Sawzall,,

 

[fidowanttobe]

Nice job.
I agree with maybe needing some cab insulation or other sound/vibration dampener.
Anything you would've done different or too soon to tell?

 

[deezler]

OMGZ you DriLLeD inTo yOUr ROPS, certain death ahead.

Looks great. I sometimes wish I needed a canopy, so that I could fabricate something similar and have such an awesome spot for an LED bar and maybe a fan. But alas I live in the woods and have no fields to cut or farm.

 

[Rustyiron]

OMGZ you DriLLeD inTo yOUr ROPS, certain death ahead.

Looks great. I sometimes wish I needed a canopy, so that I could fabricate something similar and have such an awesome spot for an LED bar and maybe a fan. But alas I live in the woods and have no fields to cut or farm.

 

[Alan W.]

I told him. They come outta the woodwork

 

[jwmorris]

Thanks, unfortunately it’s too late for my hearing. In the first photo, you can see the worktunes ear muffs I always wear, that I hang on the steering wheel after I turn it off and just behind the seat, the backup pair I keep on it, if someone has snatched my primaries. Wish I had started that in my teens. The little kubota isn’t our loudest tractor by good measure but once you have to get hearing aids, you begin to pay better attention protecting what you have remaining.

Yeah, even if I turned it into a full cage someone would have a problem with it. That said, I built openwheel racecars for a few decades out of college, so it’s not the first time I have welded something pretty imporant.

 

[Alan W.]

The insulation does more than cut down on noise it also helps with radiant heat. I use to have an old backhoe that would cook you under the factory canopy until I put some reflective bubble wrap underneath one day out of desperation.