Back glass of my DK50 cab exploded

[King of the Road]

And I can't figure out why. :confused3:

I was loading log onto a pile with my grapple when I saw a flask and heard a loud noise(I had ear plugs in and the radio cranked up).

It was startling and my first though was I hit an overhead power line(noise and flash). Then it occurred to me I was in the woods and there was no overhead power line nearby.

My second thought was that someone had shot a rifle nearby(hunting season).

Then I looked around and saw broken glass everywhere and the wiper hanging down.

I then realized that the back window had scattered. I figured I backed into a tree limb, but it was all clear behind the tractor.

I inspected everything and I can't figure out what hit the glass.

I assume the loud "pop" was the tempered glass letting go, but I can't figure out what the "flash" was. I must have seen it in the rearview mirror.

Has anyone replaced a rear window? I figure I'll do it myself.

 

[Industrial Toys]

It's the nature of tempered glass. I have tried to break it with a hammer (for disposal) and had a hard time. Other times it just has a mind of its own and decides it doesn't like being tempered anymore!

When I bought my Kubota loader, the back glass was out of it. A friend in the glass business ordered me a custom sized piece and installed it. Saved me a pile of money. It was flat, so it was easy. I guess if it's curved you have no choice but to go to a dealer. $$$$$

 

[bandaidmd]

If you need to break up tempered glass a spring loaded center punch shatters it instantly.

 

[grsthegreat]

i hear there easy to replace, but expensive to buy. do you have insurance on tractor?

 

[DT86]

Is it possible that your tire ran over a large stick that whipped up into the window? However, it sounds like you were not running fast, so this is unlikely.

I must ask, is a DK50 really loud enough that one needs ear protection in the cab?

Having helped replace the glass in other tractors, I'd say it's an easy job, even easier with a helper to hold the glass in place while you secure the hinges. The most time consuming part is getting the busted glass out of the old rubber gasket. A straight screwdriver is what we always used to pry it out. Keep in mind it makes a mess so if you can do so over a large trash can. If a new gasket is cheap enough you might want to just order one.

 

[grsthegreat]

Is it possible that your tire ran over a large stick that whipped up into the window? However, it sounds like you were not running fast, so this is unlikely.

I must ask, is a DK50 really loud enough that one needs ear protection in the cab?

i dont use it...but i guess it depends on how much you value your ears. Some people use them with hand saws


maybe thats why the wife says im going deft ... but its really selective hearing loss. i can hear a bag of Doritos open from 300 feet

 

[Odonnks]

Did you have a backhoe attached?
I ask because with a hoe on my DK50 the hoe seat is very close but not quite touching the rear glass.
Being a adjustable height seat if it were adjusted higher and folded up into the not in use position a sudden jar would flip it down and it would contact the glass.

For that reason I always keep a bungee holding the seat up when not in use.

The only way I can see tempered glass breaking is to be struck or put into a bind.

Re the question of noise in the cab, mine is fairly noisy in the cab. Usually have the radio up fairly loud just to hear it.
Seems like engine noise resonates inside the cab. I don't wear plugs but can see why one might.

Have never been inside another mfg cab so I don't know what's normal.

 

[grsthegreat]

Did you have a backhoe attached?
I ask because with a hoe on my DK50 the hoe seat is very close but not quite touching the rear glass.
Being a adjustable height seat if it were adjusted higher and folded up into the not in use position a sudden jar would flip it down and it would contact the glass.

For that reason I always keep a bungee holding the seat up when not in use.

The only way I can see tempered glass breaking is to be struck or put into a bind.

Re the question of noise in the cab, mine is fairly noisy in the cab. Usually have the radio up fairly loud just to hear it.
Seems like engine noise resonates inside the cab. I don't wear plugs but can see why one might.

Have never been inside another mfg cab so I don't know what's normal.

ive been in alot of different cabbed tractors over the years...there all about the same noise level. But while i havnt actually used a noise level meter, id say there quieter than an open station. My old JD870 3 banger was way more noisy than my Kioti.

I used to lease a cat backhoe and case dozer...both enclosed. talk about noise yeiks

 

[King of the Road]

It was flat, so it was easy. I guess if it's curved you have no choice but to go to a dealer. $$$$$

I think it's curved(tractor is at the farm.

i hear there easy to replace, but expensive to buy. do you have insurance on tractor?

I have insurance.

Is it possible that your tire ran over a large stick that whipped up into the window? However, it sounds like you were not running fast, so this is unlikely.

I had just set a log on the pile, so I was backing up to turn, going very slow.

It is loud, and I am almost deaf with almost unbearable ringing in both ears.
I worked at a very busy station while I was a member of the Atlanta Fire Department and you couldn't hear the radio in the truck if you used hearing protection. With the siren and the horn going you had to hold the radio up to your hear to her it. It was really loud in the summer(no AC so the windows were down).

i dont use it...but i guess it depends on how much you value your ears. Some people use them with hand saws

I use hearing protection anytime I'm around loud noises. Trying to save what little hearing I have left. I need to get hearing aids.

Did you have a backhoe attached?

Nope.

 

[zmjc]

Sometimes glass just does that. It doesn't have to be hit. A glass door here at work did that. I guess enough stresses build up over time as the frame flexes, and suddenly it goes (same way earthquakes work, really).