Cabs for winter use

   / Cabs for winter use #1  

rfinley

New member
Joined
Oct 25, 2005
Messages
4
Location
Albany, NY
Tractor
Massy 1225
Looking at the Power-Trac for snow removal. Does anyone know of a cab that will fit the Power-Trac models ???
Thanks
 
   / Cabs for winter use #2  
I am not aware of any "plug and play" cabs for the PTs. There have been a number of Forum members who have reported fabbing cabs for winter use. Try doing a SEARCH, limiting to the PT Forum, with "cab" and "winter" globally searing ALL posts (default is only 1 week). I recall a fellow in Cape Cod had a nice one.

Martin Cab Co. {HERE} has an extensive line of cabs, ranging from full fabric to full metal and everything in between. Go to "product info" >> "cab style guide"

I'm sure those with cabs will chime in here. Where are you located /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
   / Cabs for winter use #3  
Here's another potential source for something you might adapt. Original Cab is the manufacturer for most all the "soft sided" cabs sold for smaller machines...

Original Tractor Cab Co.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #4  
With winter quickly approaching I am also think of ways to keep the wind and snow at bay. I thought I'd save everyone some searching to point out some good previous posts on the subject.

Here's a thread with an adapted Ariens soft cab.
Here's a thread with an awesome homebuilt hard cab.
Here's a custom Martin made hard cab. The thread about it.

Yet another cab thread with a different manufacturer listed.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #5  
I second that! I would love a cab for my PT this winter(getting the snowblower)
Too bad Power-Trac doesn't make OEM cabs /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

The Ariens cab looks cool!
 
   / Cabs for winter use
  • Thread Starter
#6  
Thanks for the forum links. I see there is a option of making one. The one in the home build thread looked great. I still can not believe PT don't offer one. I am down to PT and Ventrac as my short list. Ventrac does offer a cab. Livivg in upstate NY, (getting snow as I write this) I must have a cab !!!!
Thanks again for the quick response.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #7  
</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Here's a thread with an awesome homebuilt hard cab.)</font>

Ah, hah! That's the one I was thinking of from Cape Cod. Beechwood's PT has a bunch of other neat doo-dads, too. I like the rear bumper/nerf bar setup, and what looks to be a deflector for exhaust gas, to avoid those burn spots on the lawn /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif He hasn't posted for quite awhile. I'll PM him to let him know we're likin' his cab again as Winter fast approaches.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #8  
I have decided to make my own here is the start of it. Not sure how well it will turn out , but should at least keep the wind ice rain and snow off of me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 

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   / Cabs for winter use #9  
View from the back a little dark but should show up.
 

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   / Cabs for winter use #10  
From the front.
 

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   / Cabs for winter use #11  
One more.
 

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   / Cabs for winter use #13  
Thanks Highridge,

The pictures are not that good, I know they are a little dark. From the front they look distorted from that camera angle. Should have used software to lighten them up a little. Just snapped a few quick ones as I was working on it . I Will take some better ones when I get it completed.

I Still need to attach the old Craftsman lawn tractor snow blade to one of my attachment plates. Looks like old man winter is coming sooner rather than later.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #14  
Be sure to check the clearance at full turn left and right while the unit is in full oscillation and articulation. My arm rests rub on the engine cover at the end of those travels. Therefore, if I would add a cab that enclosed my armrests, even if they touched the armrests, it would be making contact with the engine cover. By the way, that is with the seat fully back.

My thoughts on a cab would be to enclose the front, first, with something solid like sheet metal or a fiberglass panel and then cut out a window. What would be a good, solid window material: plexiglass or lexan? For the sides and rear, I would be happy with soft curtains. They sell some pretty tough tarps that could be used for the fabric and the vinyl for the windows is available at fabric stores. Really, the only time I get damp is if there is a heavy, wet snow that falls past the ROPS and lands on my thighs. Even then, I am usually done with the drive so fast that it doesn't have time to soak my coveralls.

For ventillation there would have to be some kind of fan to keep the fog off the windows. The Giant cooling fan on top of the hydraulic cooler comes to mind. Maybe some sort of fabric sleeve could be directed towards the rear of the cab. The only problem I see with this is the potential to gas your self with exhaust fumes. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif Maybe a small, electric fan directed at the front window would do a safer job. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I still swear I saw a hard cab on a 400 series unit before I purchased ours in 2001. Gosh, I wish I would have saved that. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
   / Cabs for winter use #15  
Here is a Power Trac with a hard cab and air about half way down the page.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #16  
Yeah, I've seen that one before. The one I saw was similar, with the molded plastic looking panels, but it was on a 400 series unit.
 
   / Cabs for winter use #17  
Thanks Moss,

That was the first thing I did, checked the clearance in full turn, and ran it up and down through a ditch it clears nicely.
As you stated I had to move the seat up a ways, but can still get in and out without to much problem. I also put hinges on the back panel behind the seat so I could flip it up with the seat to check the hydraulic tank if needed.

I plan to just use lexan on the front and back for windows along with some light paneling and clear plastic for the side windows. Also thinking of leaving some of the bottom open for ventilation in case I start getting exhaust fumes of any kind. Of course that may be where it gets in. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif Thought about installing a small fan for the inside front window. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif
 
   / Cabs for winter use #18  
rfinley,
Good luck on your decision. Both machines are great you just need to figure out which one fits you the best!

tracdoc,
It has been a long time since I've seen a post from Beechwood myself. If you get a hold of him see if he will add to this thread with some "lessons learned" on cab building! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Barry,
Wow! Your jumpin' right in with modiying your new toy... uh, I mean tool. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif Looks great so far! I am still trying to decide between angle iron framing or 1x2's. I don't have a ROPS if I use angle it could be dual purpose if built right. I tried getting some feedback before on the OEM ROPS dimensions but never hear back from anyone so it will most likely be "built to fit".

I think with the engine located where its at there shouldn't be any fume issues with openings down low. Although that may not help with fogging/condensation since heat will rise and still be "trapped" in the top. Maybe it will still allow enough air movement though only time will tell. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

BTW, how did you connect your 1x2's? Some looked like they were butt joints with two screws in the end and others... well others I couldn't tell at all?!? /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
 
   / Cabs for winter use #19  
This is turning into a good cab thread as well. I'd add it to my message of good threads but then we'd have some recursive threading going on... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sorry, bad IT humor... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
   / Cabs for winter use #20  
Hi Bill,

nice to see you posting again. As far as butt joints nothing that elaborate. Just 1x2 pine with McFeely Square drive screws. ( Here ) holding them together. These screws come with a special driver bit for your cordless drill. Makes it much easier like having an extra hand. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Just want something durable and light to keep the rain snow and wind off of me. Can't wait to see your ROP'S and cab. Hope to see some pictures when you are done.
 

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