Building A Frame For Cab

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have purchased a golf cart cab from Northern Tool for $100, It is vinyl and met to fit over a golf cart. It has two zipper doors and a zipper in the rear.

It is 60" long by 43" wide and hangs down 58". I want to put it on a Kubota BX2200 to keep the snow off me when using the 3pt snowblower. I was thinking of putting a plywood top on the ROPS and using electrical conduit to form a frame for the front supports. Questions I have are as follows:

1. Is electrical conduit the best material? I have never used the material but it looks strong and cheap. How tight can you bend the material or is it better to just use separate 90’s and 45’s?The other thought I had was copper tubing, but I think that would be more $$. I can not weld and do not want to pay someone to make a frame.
2. I want to cut the vinyl and install grommets to secure the sides to the tractor, any idea where to get them and how to cut the vinyl?
3. Any idea how to join vinyl, tape , glue?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Kodiak]

Yes you could use 1" or 3/4" EMT conduit, with seperate fittings for tight joints. 1/2" might collapse to easily. We once had a 3/4" EMT frame attached to our Cushman Trakster that held up under the weight of two quarters of moose meat from our camp to the highway.

 

[Gfranklin]

I know places like Home Depot and Lowes carries grommets. They come in kits of 10-15 grommets for $5-6 or something like that. I expect about any hardware store would also have them. They come with the anvil, the punch looking device and a simple hole punch you smack with a hammer.

As an option, I have seen several types of contraptions built out of PVC pipe. You would be using a little larger diameter stuff but it is cheap and easy to work. The electrical conduit is certainly suitable for this application and if you bend it with a conduit bender I would estimate that the radiuses would be 6" or so.

Greg

 

[Rick Jay]

Tom.

I'm going to be real interested to see how you make out. I've been eyeing those golf cart cabs from Northern for a couple of years to make a cheap shelter on my B2910. I just have too many projects around here that need doing first. Please keep us updated on your progress. And post lots of pics if you can.

Thanks,

Rick

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I took a trip to HomeDepot today and checked out the EMT tubing and the grommets, they had both. This will be a Xmas project with a few days off and between parties and visiting. I will let you know how it works out, I figure for about $125 I should have something to keep the snow off of me, I think I will use it a lot this winter!...More to follow.

Tom

 

[emery]

I put together just such a rig using the golf cart enclosure from Northern last year. The pictures are posted here at TBN. Just seach for winter cab and you should find the link easily.
My frame consists of piece of plywood for top with rounded corners to fit size of cover and a front frame bolted on using existing FEL bolts. The plywood rests on top and is wired to the ROPS and also attached to front frame. The vinyl cover just drapes of the plywood top. It works GREAT

 

[ChuckinVA]

Velcro might be another option for you. You can buy it in long strips with adhesive on the backs.

 

[pcmem]

I'm on my second revision. Last year I used 1/2" EMT and the adhesive velcro. The velcro works well but you need to apply it when both parts are warm to get a lasting grip. I think I'm going to add some snaps at the ends and corners where the wind really wants to whip it around. I'm also stitching it onto the plastic and using seam sealer. I'm reworking the door using tablecloth cover material and a locktite adhesive the rep suggested. It SEEMS to work well but due to slow setup time I won't have it done until monday.

Good luck,
Michael

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Anyone know if they sell T's and 4 way, in EMT, Home Depot only had 90's. If not do you think copper T's would work?

Michael,

Where did you get the seam sealer and locktite adhesive from?

Thanks

Tom

 

[Inspector507]

You can get a "T", but it is a conduit body for EMT and it is probably not what you're looking for
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.hubbellonline.com/wiring/killark/pdf/f/f_two.pdf>Killark Brand Set screw type</A>

Copper Tees are not going to match up to EMT

 

[beenthere]

I would look over the pvc pipe which is easy to put together and should have the strength you need, at least comparable to EMT. Also can get the T's to make the vertical connections at corners, and some bracing along the way with T's and 45's. Hope we see some pics of designs already made and in the works.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

What size pipe in pvc. 1- or 1 1/2?

Do you think it will break when it gets cold??

 

[thefarm]

I wouldn't want to use pvc,due to the sunrays and being brittle when its cold.How did the PTO shaft come out?Have you used the puma blower yet,like it?Mine is working super.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Ray,

The Puma worked great it handled the 8 inches of snow with no problem at all. I ended up having a local tractor shop cut and install the PTO shaft. The way it attaches to the snowblower, you only had one shot at getting it on. It was very tight fitting and you had to align a keyway and bolt to attached the shaft of the snowblower to t he shaft of the PTO. I did not have enough confidence in my skills to do it the first time. The handle was too long for the chute, when I raised the snowblower, it hit the seat, so they cut and welded that too. When I cut the shaft for the First Choice tiller , I had it off an on several times before I got it to work. For $50 it was worth it to me to get it right. I was glad I did, when I was blowing snow, my boot strap caught the 3 pt lever and the snowblower came to the top position while turning at 540 rpm. I am sure it I had cut the PTO shaft, it would have been too long, and I would have driven the shaft through the back f the tractor. If this happen now, I would go back to the dealer and have him pay for the damage! Luckily I did not have to go down that road!

Just looking forward to snowblowing without getting covered in snow! I hope this golf cart thing works out and I can adapt it to the BX. I agree with you, I think the pvc may not hold up well. I am leading towards copper ¾ tubing, if I can not make the EMT work with the required 90’s and t’s

Tom

 

[thefarm]

Just had a fellow here that has a BX2200.He just bought a Curtis cab for it,$1900.But it comes with a heater and a windshield wiper.He's sick of the snow getting on him.He had another Kubota with a PTO blower before this one.

 

[pcmem]

Tom,

The seam sealer is from the local motorcycle shop but I think it can be found at the hunting and fishing store as well. The locktite adhesive was from my rep but there should be a commercial version in the stores. There is usually a selection of locktite products in the automotive area.

Have fun,
Michael

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

I have added pictures of the finished product in the Kubota operating section.

Tom