Cab or No Cab

[bravo2zero]

Hi everyone... I am new to the forum and in fact new to purchasing a John Deere Tractor. I am looking at the models 5055E or 5055E CAB or the 5065E with or without cab. Question is what are the pros and cons of having a Cab?

I also have about 50 acres of land and wanted to make sure that this size of tractor would get the job done for the following:
Mowing
Post Hole Digging
Baling Hay
Raking
etc etc...

I plan to purchase a front bucket and a finishing mower. Your thoughts and comments is most appreciated.

 

[Lou66]

If you can afford a cab get it.. it comes in handy on those 100 plus days or 20 degrees day,, also when using a disc cutter or baling down wind.. trust me on this one.. either of the tractors you are looking at,, will work with the right equipment.. front end loader is extra but will pay for itself in the long run.. Lou

 

[Industrial Toys]

As for the cab or no cab. I have both. IF you are blowing snow, no doubt about it cab. If you are working long hours in the field on a hot summer day, a cab is nice, or have to work in the rain.

For me, everything else I do with my tractor, I only do when the weather is good and then I find a cab annoying. I like to be in nature, not in a glass telephone booth!

I also find that going in and out of buildings to be a real pain with reflections off the glass in a cab tractor.

 

[300UGUY]

Right now it's -3F outside, I'd really like a cab on my bota!!!

If you are baling hay, you will need a mower and discbine? A tedder?
A boom pole is nice.
Quick tach loader - change the bucket over to forks or ?
toothbar on the bucket.
forks of course.
a tiller if you want to have a garden.
a carryall for the 3 point.

And a large wallet. Spending other folks money can be fun!!

 

[grsthegreat]

Go with the Cab...you will not regret it....ever

 

[k0ua]

Well lets see now, Pro's of a Cab, they keep the dust and dirt off of you, they keep you from being killed by yellow jackets, bumble bees and wasps etc. They keep you from having heatstroke when haying. In the winter they keep you from freezing to death, they keep the rain off of your head. They make it much safer to have a child with you, notice I said safer, not safe. They keep you from sneezing your head off of if you have allergies. They protect you somewhat from being whipped by small limbs. They make your neighbors envious. They allow you to listen to music when working. The controls and instrument panel are protected from the weather.

Cons of a cab: They cost money. They catch limbs and big ones will break out the windows, and tear off the mirrors and lights. (if you work in the woods) They have systems like HVAC and air filters that will eventually need service. Did I mention they cost money? They don't allow you to hear people working on the ground as well. (this is debatable, or they could be equipped with 2 way radio's) Well that is all I can think of.

 

[econometrics]

I went thru this same debate in my head for a painfully long time this past fall.

I went with an open station on my 5075E.

Mainly because I'm young and enjoy the open air environment, AND it saved me a lot of money that I instead used on useful attachments. (Wally BX62!)

Are there days I wish I had sprung for a cab? Sure are. But I'm happy with my choice. This tractor, for me, is a 3-5 year machine as I ease into land owning and stewardship. A cabbed tractor will come next in it's due time.

It really all depends on what YOU value.

 

[7879fordman]

I went thru this same debate in my head for a painfully long time this past fall.

I went with an open station on my 5075E.

Mainly because I'm young and enjoy the open air environment, AND it saved me a lot of money that I instead used on useful attachments. (Wally BX62!)

Are there days I wish I had sprung for a cab? Sure are. But I'm happy with my choice. This tractor, for me, is a 3-5 year machine as I ease into land owning and stewardship. A cabbed tractor will come next in it's due time.

It really all depends on what YOU value.

This ^ I had the same debate last year .


But since ya are going to do hay I would go cab ..
I doubt I will ever use mine to cut or bale . It's just cheaper for me to buy 150-200 rolls of hay a year . Plus I don't have the time to bale hay when it needs to be done .

But since you only have 50 acres you would still live bale'n hay with a open cab .


Sent from my iPhone 5 using TractorByNet

 

[diesel lover]

How good is the heat in a modern tractor with a cab? I have operated a komatsu WA180 pay loader for 12 hours when the temperatures dipped down to -14 and -30F windchill. The cab was sure nice no doubt about that at all!!

The heat was so so, and that was to be expected with it being -30 F windchill outside, the engine was running cold and had trouble even getting to a quarter when I was working it hard! The mild heat was nice at -14F ambient for sure.

We have 5 tractors all in Michigan and not one has a cab!! The neighbor has a 4040 John Deere (80 HP not newer style) with a cab and a contractor/ industrial blade in it, very large very heavy. It dipped down to -30F ambient in Michigan and the neighbors with the 4040 JD had to plow my parents quarter mile driveway as the blowing wind was taking over so badly

 

[texasjohn]

I agree, completely.

If you can afford a cab get it.. it comes in handy on those 100 plus days or 20 degrees day,, also when using a disc cutter or baling down wind.. trust me on this one.. either of the tractors you are looking at,, will work with the right equipment.. front end loader is extra but will pay for itself in the long run.. Lou

 

[grsthegreat]

How good is the heat in a modern tractor with a cab? I have operated a komatsu WA180 pay loader for 12 hours when the temperatures dipped down to -14 and -30F windchill. The cab was sure nice no doubt about that at all!!

The heat was so so, and that was to be expected with it being -30 F windchill outside, the engine was running cold and had trouble even getting to a quarter when I was working it hard! The mild heat was nice at -14F ambient for sure.

We have 5 tractors all in Michigan and not one has a cab!! The neighbor has a 4040 John Deere (80 HP not newer style) with a cab and a contractor/ industrial blade in it, very large very heavy. It dipped down to -30F ambient in Michigan and the neighbors with the 4040 JD had to plow my parents quarter mile driveway as the blowing wind was taking over so badly

i just ran mine last week when temps were -10F plus 20,ph wonds for a wind chill of something like -30F.

warm and toasty in cab. no jacket. Had pre-heated the tractor 2 hours before operating though

 

[bravo2zero]

WOW! I didn't expect such a fast response and from so many. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback. The cost is a tad factor. I do like being out doors. Heat can play a factor in the summer. I'm in Alabama and it can get hot, real hot! I guess I really need to think things over. I'll be going to John Deere soon and taking a look at both options.

I have a John Deere 997 for mowing the land and it gets the job done. But I am beat to he*l and back by the time I'm done mowing the land. I was almost thinking about going with a Skid Steer but I am limited on what I can do.

 

[diesel lover]

WOW! I didn't expect such a fast response and from so many. I sincerely appreciate all the feedback. The cost is a tad factor. I do like being out doors. Heat can play a factor in the summer. I'm in Alabama and it can get hot, real hot! I guess I really need to think things over. I'll be going to John Deere soon and taking a look at both options. I have a John Deere 997 for mowing the land and it gets the job done. But I am beat to he*l and back by the time I'm done mowing the land. I was almost thinking about going with a Skid Steer but I am limited on what I can do.

I can understand why ou might move to a skid steer for the cab option, but if you get a tractor with a cab there's nothing like it. It will only take TWO minutes of regret/ second thoughts at first but when it comes down to it maintaining the heat and air conditioning is not much work.

If you get wayy north of Alabama it's tough to go without a cab. It was -14F here with -30F windchill ouch

 

[bravo2zero]

Yes and I am in north Alabama and we have had our fair share of snow this winter. Cold as get out. I will check out both options and see what feels most comfortable.

How is the vision in a cab? Blind sides etc?

 

[BigMike50]

Yes and I am in north Alabama and we have had our fair share of snow this winter. Cold as get out. I will check out both options and see what feels most comfortable.

How is the vision in a cab? Blind sides etc?

there is no blind sides in a jd cab. they are engineered nice. not only does it keep you out of the elements, it keeps you from fighting off bees and annoying bugs like gnats. I dealt with that crap enough. A cab on a john deere is nothing like a telephone booth like someone mentioned. its like sitting in your living room with climate control. very quiet with minimal engine noise and you can listen to your favorite music. Heck, because of the cab, during the hot summer I like to put my work at night. Put the a/c on, turn up the music and drink my favorite alcoholic beverage in my pajama pants. That's worth 10 thousand dollars to me over the course over of howver many years. Let alone the very cold frigid temps I plow snow.

 

[Dozernut]

"300UGUY said, Right now it's -3F outside, I'd really like a cab on my bota!!!"

I have to do some pallet work tomorrow, it's -1F here. Sure wish the ole Kubota had a heated cab too!

 

[bravo2zero]

Thanks @ BigMike50

I guess I just need to get on down to JD and sit inside a cab and take one for a spin. What slows down work for me on the land that is, is the heat factor. Thus the reason I have a consideration for the cab. Yes it cost more but it might be worth the investment.

How are the LIGHTS at night for working the land. Can you see pretty good?

 

[Green Power]

Buy a tractor with a cab if you can afford the extra price. It also gives more counterbalance for loader work. Heat, AC and radio make "work" even funner.

 

[diesel lover]

Thanks @ BigMike50 I guess I just need to get on down to JD and sit inside a cab and take one for a spin. What slows down work for me on the land that is, is the heat factor. Thus the reason I have a consideration for the cab. Yes it cost more but it might be worth the investment. How are the LIGHTS at night for working the land. Can you see pretty good?

Today's lighting is so amazing especially with aftermarket LED lights!! Even with factory lighting it's except able but with the Led work lights in pitch dark blowing snowy weather it's best! In a pitch or an emergency where you didn't expect to be using your tractor in the pitch dark today's lighting is great!

 

[TripleR]

These threads show up from time to time and it seems cabs are beginning to gain ground. No doubt there are good reasons to own open station, we own several. Given the choice of open station or cab, I always opted for a cab if practical, health issues now restrict me to a cab, but use to operate both. I'm pretty old, so I remember when it was unusual to see cab tractors in use by farmers, now you just don't see them around here.

I rarely see anyone trading in a cab for open station; open station for a cab not so rare.